LOS ANGELES — For as much work as he puts in on the field, Mookie Betts works just as tirelessly to make an impact off it.
The Dodgers’ shortstop was named the 2025 winner of the Roberto Clemente Award, which he was presented with on MLB Network ahead of World Series Game 3 on Monday at Dodger Stadium. Considered one of the highest individual honors in baseball, the Clemente Award annually recognizes a Major Leaguer who best represents the values of the late, great Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente.
Betts was recognized for his extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions through his work with his 5050 Foundation. He is the first Dodger to win the leaguewide award since Justin Turner in 2022; Clayton Kershaw also received the honor in ’12.
“It just means the world,” Betts said when he was nominated in September. “This isn’t something that you get judged on based on your performance. It’s something that you just do out of the kindness of your heart. Just caring about people, man.
“It’s just opportunities to do something that don’t have anything to do with talent. Those are things that I genuinely care about, and I feel like this reward shows that.”
Betts founded the 5050 Foundation alongside his wife, Brianna, in 2021. The organization’s mission is to help the youth in their communities — Los Angeles and Nashville, Tenn. — develop resources for success, based around four pillars: physical fitness, mental and emotional health, nutrition and financial literacy.
This year, the 5050 Foundation was part of the wildfire relief effort in the L.A. area, donating more than $30,000 of Nike clothing to victims. The 5050 Foundation also partnered with the Dodgers Foundation to donate more than $160,000 to Brotherhood Crusade, which works to help fight hunger and homelessness in L.A. In June, the foundation provided financial support and resources to an Altadena family who lost their home in the Eaton Fire.
Betts and the 5050 Foundation continued working with schools, partnering with the Obama Foundation to donate sports equipment to Hyde Park Academy in Chicago and setting up an academic challenge with L.A. Unified School District. They have continued to work with UCLA Children’s Hospital, where their “Betts on Us” fund helps families with pediatric patients access quality healthcare.
In Nashville, Betts funded the Mookie Betts Metro Baseball Tournament. He also continued his work with “Team Mookie,” an Amateur Athletic Union boys’ basketball team, and has now helped fund six AAU teams in the Nashville region.
Betts is also a regular participant in the Dodgers’ community initiatives. He invited the Baseball Generations organization to the ballpark for Juneteenth educational programming and a game. Around the same time, Betts hosted an inaugural celebrity softball game ahead of Black Heritage Night as part of an effort to grow the game with Black players and fans.
