In some exciting news for the Major League Baseball world, the 2026 Roberto Clemente Award honoree has been announced, and it’s New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor. He’ll officially receive the honor ahead of Game 3 of the World Series on Monday, October 26.
As stated by MLB, “The Roberto Clemente Award is bestowed annually to the player who best represents the game of Baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy, and positive contributions, both on and off the field.”
For Lindor, the win seems like a long time coming. 2026 marks the fourth consecutive year he’s been nominated for the award, a testament to the exemplary way he carries himself and his years of commitment to uplifting his fellow humans. His commendable desire to serve others includes partnering with New Balance annually to provide hundreds of children with backpacks and school supplies, donating over $1 million to a two-story middle school building featuring state-of-the-art science and technology labs as his alma mater, and hosting baseball clinics for youths.
Then there’s his unwavering love for Puerto Rico, a place he calls home. Following Hurricanes Maria and Fiona, he went beyond just extending financial support and restored athletic facilities and again used his baseball talents to reach the children.
All of that being said, I had the distinct honor of speaking with Lindor about the award. It was apparent right away during our conversation why he’s garnered the nickname “Mr. Smile.” Not only was he showing all 32 teeth in excitement throughout our discussion, but he just exuded a genuine good guy behind the pearly whites. He was sincerely honored not only to receive this accolade, but was humbled to be mentioned in the same breath as Clemente, a fellow Puerto Rican whom he’s looked up to since he was a child.
So just what did Lindor share in our one-on-one that has me applauding him and hoping he considers giving his own TED Talk in the future?
“It’s a Dream Come True”
Men’s Journal: How does it feel to win the Roberto Clemente Award? Especially since you’ve been nominated a few times for the high honor?
Lindor: It feels fantastic. It’s a dream come true. I’m truly humbled and honored by it. I can’t thank enough the people who have given me a platform and supported me throughout the years. And platforms like MLB for having an award like this one, ‘cause this is very special. It’s a big award. As well as the Clemente family for always pushing and fighting for the legacy that Roberto Clemente created. Like I said, I’m honored.
Men’s Journal: [Laughing] I can tell by the big smile on your face how thrilled you are for the award. On that note, how excited was your family to hear the news about it? Knowing your dad’s role in your early years of baseball, I imagine he was very happy.
Lindor: [Chuckling] Yeah, Dad was super pumped. He yelled. He was happy. He was very excited. Wife and I, our eyes were a little bit watery. A lot of emotions were running through. My sister was super happy. I haven’t told my mom yet. I kind of want to surprise her. So I’ll just wait until Monday when we go to the World Series game and let her find out there. So, we’ll see how that goes.
I have a group of people coming with me to the game, and I’m very excited for that night, that day. And for my name, my family name, to forever be in that selected group [of Roberto Clemente Award recipients].
Men’s Journal: Wait, I now have to ask. Do you think your family will be able to contain their excitement and not tell your mom until then?
Lindor: That’s one of the reasons why most of them don’t know. They were just told we’re going to a World Series game. [Laughing] ‘Cause we’re supposed to keep it quiet. So if I tell my mom, my mom would tell her sister, which is her best friend, and she’s in Puerto Rico, and then the word will spread very quickly. It’s better to keep it quiet, and it’s just a cool surprise for them.
In Puerto Rico, History Classes Teach Taínos, Columbus, and Clemente
Men’s Journal: Given you and Roberto Clemente share Puerto Rican roots, what does it mean to receive this award?
Lindor: It means a lot. In history classes in Puerto Rico, you learn about the native, the Indígenos Taínos, which are our natives. You learn about Christopher Columbus. You learn about Roberto Clemente. So obviously there’s a lot of other things, but these are the ones I pay attention to [laughing].
I’m just pumped to be part of this special group, and to have my name a little bit closer to Clemente, which is every Puerto Rican’s dream.
Men’s Journal: Along those lines, would you say he influenced you coming up, both on and off the field?
Lindor: For sure. Not just me, but the whole entire island. He definitely influenced my dad, for sure. And my dad passed it on. And definitely influenced a lot of history teachers and educators in Puerto Rico, and they pass it on to the generations.
This is something that we take very personal, to have a guy like Clemente. Probably the most famous person of Puerto Rico. I know Bad Bunny is up there, but Clemente is up there as well [laughter]. So yeah, I’m thrilled. I’m excited for it.
“We Got to Bless the People Around Us”
Men’s Journal: Slight pivot here. You and your wife are involved in a lot of charitable endeavors. Why is it so important for you to give back? And how do you know when you’ve really made an impact?
Lindor: My family has always instilled, ‘We got to bless the people around us.’ And sometimes, it’s not about money… You can serve as guidance for somebody else. You can serve as a sounding board for somebody else. That’s a way of giving back. You know, when people think of giving back, people think immediately money. And it’s not about that. Yes, money helps for sure, and that’s also part of it.
In my case, I didn’t really grow up with much, and my parents always still said to us, ‘Go do something for somebody else. Go help your neighbor.’ Then with my wife, I think she’s always been that way as well.
As our family grew, you know, we have more kids. It’s almost like, ‘How are we going to make sure these little humans turn out to be the best version of themselves?’ And one of them is teaching them that we are blessed, but we have to bless others. We can’t keep all our blessings to ourselves.
Francisco Lindor Hopes His Legacy Will Be…
Men’s Journal: What you said about your children taps into the idea of legacy. What do you hope your legacy is when you leave baseball behind?
Lindor: Somebody that enjoyed what they did on a daily basis. Somebody that impacted others through playing, but also through the work that I did in the communities. And a little selfish, I want to be remembered as a winner. I want to win. [Laughing]
Men’s Journal: [Laughing] You’re an athlete, so of course. On a final serious note, what advice would you give those aspiring baseball players coming up behind you?
Lindor: I would tell the generation coming behind me, I would say to always be themselves, stay true to who they are.
In the long run, if you’re not true to yourself, you can deviate from the things that you can reach and the impact that you can make around you. When you stay true to yourself, you’re always going to stick to your beliefs. And you’re going to guide, and you’re going to help, and you’re going to bring joy, and you’re going to do the things that people want by staying true to yourself. You don’t have to be somebody else.
Who Does Francisco Lindor Think Will Win the 2026 World Series?
Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Men’s Journal: Now, because I have you, I have to ask. Thoughts on which team is likely to win the World Series?
Lindor: That’s a great question. Believe it or not, I actually had Milwaukee and Tampa in the series. I thought they were going to really be in it. I just felt like playing against every team now, that you get to play against everybody. Those were the two teams that stood out.
And with that being said, since the Mets are not in it, I don’t care who wins, man. [Laughing] I don’t. I couldn’t care less. Whoever wins, it doesn’t really affect me. So, I’m just like, I don’t care who wins. I just want good games.
Congrats again to MLB’s 2026 Roberto Clemente Award recipient, Francisco Lindor.
