Bell recognized for efforts with Clemente nomination

PIttsburgh Post- Gazette

A day after the Pirates announced their plans to wear No. 21 on all of their jerseys for Roberto Clemente Day next season, MLB announced its nominees for the Roberto Clemente Award, given to the player who best represents the game with positive qualities on and off the field.

This year, the Pirates’ nominee is first baseman Josh Bell. Bell has donated in the past to multiple charities, such as the Dreambuilders Foundation, which provides food for underprivileged children and the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.

Additionally, Bell has been more vocal this season, specifically after George Floyd’s killing in Minneapolis and the resulting civil unrest. Bell began #Social Reform Sundays, helping to spread awareness of issues regarding social justice to his followers. Some of his teammates and fellow players around the league have joined the cause.

Bell also began a book club, in conjunction with the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, centering around books having to do with social justice. He’s been involved with multiple other organizations within Pittsburgh, as well, including the MLB’s Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities ( RBI) initiative.

Remembering Seaver

Growing up outside of Chicago, Pirates manager Derek Shelton had plenty of memories watching Tom Seaver — good and bad.

The MLB Hall of Famer who pitched for the “Miracle Mets” in 1969, the team that overtook the Cubs to win the NL East ( and World Series), died Monday at the age of 75.

Officially, Seaver died from complications of Lewy body dementia and COVID19, the National Baseball Hall of Fame said.

Speaking Thursday, Shelton called it “a very sad day” for baseball.

“The thing that stands out is he was the quintessential drop- and- drive, back- knee power, come- after- you pitcher,” Shelton said. “When you grew up in the ’ 70s and ’ 80s, that’s where it was at.”

Shelton also said he had a Tom Seaver model Rawlings glove when he was 11 or 12.

“It’s extremely sad when you lose someone like that,” Shelton said. “My condolences to his family.”

Tough break

The Pirates made a surprising — and difficult — decision Wednesday when they designated Carson Fulmer for assignment without the right- hander having pitched in a major league game for them.

Pittsburgh made the move when Bryan Reynolds returned from a couple days of paternity leave and Joe Musgrove returned from the 10- day injured list.

“Unfortunately he didn’t get a chance to pitch here, and it kind of [ stinks] that we had to DFA him before he had a chance to pitch,” Shelton said. “It came down to a roster crunch. We had two guys coming back, and with where we’re at, we made the decision. It happened to a really good kid.”

Neighborly cleats

Derek Holland wore a pair of Mister Rogers cleats during his outing Wednesday night. The left- hander also came out to “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”

“If anybody’s going to come out to Mister Rogers,” Shelton said, “it’s going to be Holland.”

Holland has done this sort of stuff before. He likes to have cleats designed to honor the city in which he’s playing. He has also worn cleats with themes from “The Dark Knight” and “The Office.”

“I try to change the style with the shoe game,” Holland said. “I feel like we should be able to market ourselves with our shoes, have some fun with that.

“I think it’s something cool to do for the young guys watching the game. It’s about having your own swag, your own personality, being you.”