Barry Larkin continues work inspired by Roberto Clemente

Each year, the Roberto Clemente Award is presented to the Major League Baseball player who, like the Hall of Famer himself, best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field. Originally known as the Commissioner’s Award, it has been presented by Major League Baseball since 1971. In 1973, the award was renamed after the Pittsburgh star following his death in a plane crash while he was delivering supplies to victims of an earthquake in Nicaragua.

Each MLB Club annually nominates a player to be considered for the Award in tribute to Clemente’s achievements and character. This year, the Reds nominated first baseman Joey Votto. Votto seeks to become the first Reds player to win the award since Hall of Fame shortstop and Cincinnati native Barry Larkin won in 1993. Since the award’s inception over 50 years ago, two Reds players have taken home the hardware: Larkin and Pete Rose (1976).

Although Larkin won the award nearly 30 years ago, he still remembers the honor fondly and continues to try to emulate Clemente in his everyday life. Larkin was an active member of the community early in his career, but his awareness and admiration for Clemente began at a much younger age.

One of Larkin’s closest childhood friends was Leo Cardenas Jr., son of former Reds player Leo “Chico” Cardenas. Cardenas Sr. was Cuban, so Larkin was very aware of Latin players as a youngster and as a result, he became a huge Clemente fan. In fact, despite living in Cincinnati and being a Reds fan, he couldn’t help but also root for the Pirates, purely because of his love for Clemente. As Larkin grew up, he learned more about the man off the field and not just the extremely talented player on it. What Clemente represented and the circumstances of his passing really stuck with Larkin from that point forward.

“I just thought what a great story and great man,” Larkin said. “He was somebody that I truly respected for his play on the field as well as what he did off the field. And then to have that same opportunity — and I pledged at that time that if I ever got the opportunity, I would do something similar — so to be able to follow through with that was a great opportunity.”

Larkin made good on his intentions, helping spearhead several initiatives during his playing days. Most notably, Larkin was heavily involved with the Caring Program for Children, which raised…