Undaunted by cancer, Carrasco wins Clemente for charity work

CLEVELAND >> Carlos Carrasco didn’t let cancer stop him from helping others. It inspired him to do more.

The Cleveland Indians’ pitcher, who was diagnosed with a treatable form of leukemia in May, has won the 2019 Roberto Clemente Award. It is given annually by Major League Baseball to recognize a player’s high character, community involvement and positive contributions.

Despite being sick and sidelined for months during this season, Carrasco’s positive attitude never wavered and his efforts never slowed. The 32-year-old frequently visited children fighting the disease at area hospitals while receiving medical treatment for his own illness.

“It’s something that I love to do, helping a lot of kids and families,” said Carrasco, a father of five.

Each of baseball’s 30 teams submitted a nominee for the Clemente Award. Carrasco was chosen by a panel that included Commissioner Rob Manfred, Clemente’s widow, Vera, and media members.

Carrasco will be presented with the award Friday night before Game 3 of the World Series in Washington. On Saturday, he’ll be on the field during Game 4 to participate in baseball’s “Stand Up To Cancer” campaign, something he did during a tribute during July’s All-Star Game in Cleveland.

Carrasco is the third Indians player to win the award, joining Hall of Famer Jim Thome (2002) and Andre Thornton (1979).

MLB has honored players for their philanthropic efforts since 1971. The award is named for the 15time All-Star killed in a plane crash on New Year’s Eve 1972 while attempting to deliver supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.

In the past year, Carrasco and his wife, Karry, have provided box lunches to the homeless in Tampa, Florida. They’ve given scholarships to single mothers and traveled to Africa, distributing shoes, shirts and backpacks to children.

Carrasco’s most passionate endeavor, however, has been helping those in his native Venezuela. He’s donated toys at Christmas and money for food and medical supplies to a country in a political crisis that has forced millions to flee.

But it was in Cleveland, where the popular righthander had an equally profound impact.

Carrasco, who was traded to the Indians from Philadelphia in 2009, began visiting hospitals in 2014. After one visit, he said one of his daughters cut off some hair and told him, “just give it to the kids.”

It moved Carrasco to want to help in any way he could.

“My wife was looking at me and we almost started crying,” he said. “Everything started from there.”