Cubs’ Rizzo becomes youngest player to win Branch Rickey Award

Much like the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award that honors the one player who most exemplifies Clemente’s values on and off the field, Major League Baseball gives out the Branch Rickey Award.

Branch Rickey was a player and manager but made his name as a visionary baseball executive. He was named to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1967 by the Veterans Committee.

He not only invented baseball’s modern farm system and pioneered the use of statistics in the game, he was the man who helped break Major League Baseball’s color barrier by signing Jackie Robinson in 1945.

The Branch Rickey Award “recognizes professionals in Major League Baseball for exceptional community service“ and it has been awarded each season since 1992.

It’s recipient is also picked from a group of 30 players each nominated by his team like the Roberto Clemente Award the nominees for which were announced on Tuesday.

However for this award there is no fan vote. A national panel of 400 members vote for the player who they believes to be the most deserving.

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This 2014 winner of the Branch Rickey Award, announced Thursday, is Anthony Rizzo, first baseman for the Chicago Cubs. At only the age of 25, Rizzo is the youngest player to ever win the award.

Rizzo has worked with and spearheaded various charities, including organizing two “Cook-off for Cancer” events that took place in Chicago. He raised over $500,000 from those two events alone.

Last year’s winner was Los Angeles Dodgers’ superstar ace Clayton Kershaw. Other notable active players who have taken home the Branch Rickey Award include R.A. Dickey, Torii Hunter and Shane Victorino.