Monday, October 26, 2026 — on baseball’s biggest stage, the Mets’ shortstop received its most meaningful individual honor.
Francisco Lindor received the 2026 Roberto Clemente Award at Tropicana Field on Monday, before Game 3 of the World Series between the Brewers and Rays. Commissioner Rob Manfred and Luis Clemente, son of the Hall of Famer, spoke at the presentation.
“This is a huge honor and privilege to receive this award,” Lindor said.
The Award
The Clemente Award honors the player who best represents the game through character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions on and off the field. The winner is chosen through a combination of fan voting and a blue-ribbon panel.
Lindor’s Work
Lindor and his wife, Katia, who plays a leading role in their charitable efforts, have built a wide range of programs. They include the Lindor’s Leaders Program with New Balance, support for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, a back-to-school initiative in Queens, the Francisco Lindor Scholarship Fund at Montverde Academy and disaster relief and advocacy for Puerto Rico.
As part of the award, Capital One committed $100,000 to the SEEN Foundation in Lindor’s honor. The organization promotes disability advocacy and access to text-based assistive communication tools.
Lindor said players don’t do community work to be recognized — but acknowledged that there is something they get out of it.
In Good Company
Lindor is the fifth Met to win the award, following Gary Carter (1989), Al Leiter (2000), Carlos Delgado (2006) and Curtis Granderson (2016). He is also the fifth Puerto Rican native to be honored, joining Edgar Martínez (2004), Delgado, Carlos Beltrán (2013) and Yadier Molina (2018) — a fitting connection for an award named after Puerto Rico’s greatest baseball icon.
A Bright Spot for the Mets
The honor comes at the end of a difficult season in Queens. The Mets fired Carlos Mendoza in June, sold at the deadline and finished outside the playoff picture, with Andy Green now in place as the full-time manager. Lindor remains the face of the franchise and one of its clear leaders as it heads into a pivotal offseason.
The Read
Lindor has long been one of the game’s best shortstops. The Clemente Award recognizes something that matters even more: what he and his family have built off the field. On a night devoted to two other teams, he gave the Mets a moment to celebrate.
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