Sal Frelick on a visit to the Ronald McDonald house in August. Credit: Kirsten Schmitt/Milwaukee Brewers MILWAUKEE -- Imagine the honor of being a right fielder nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award, named for the rocket-armed Pirates outfielder who made his mark as a Hall of Famer on the field and as one of the sport’s greatest philanthropists off it. That isn’t lost on Brewers right fielder Sal Frelick, Milwaukee’s nominee this year. • VOTE NOW: 2025 Roberto Clemente Award presented by Capital One “It has nothing to do with the position, but what it means as a whole,” Frelick said. “It’s crazy to hear that name in the same sentence [as myself]. I didn’t even know there was an award for that. I was always under the impression that what this award is for isn’t something you should get an award for.” |
Here’s what Frelick means by that: 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.” Frelick believes that’s all part of being a good big leaguer. Each year, all 30 teams nominate one community-focused player, and an overall winner is announced during the World Series. The lone Brewers player to earn the overall honor was Cecil Cooper in 1983. “In a perfect world, there shouldn’t be an award for doing good things,” Frelick said. “I love doing it because of the kids and the organizations I get to see. If this can help those organizations reach more audiences, that’s great.” |
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It was no surprise that Frelick mentioned kids, because youth initiatives have always been his calling, all the way back to high school in Boston. He made friends with many of the special needs kids at Lexington High School, driving them to prom and then seeing them in the stands at his baseball games or hockey games. That connection led Frelick to become involved with Best Buddies International, which seeks to build a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, employment, leadership development, inclusive living and family support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. After the Brewers drafted Frelick out of Boston College in 2021, he was thrilled to learn that there was a Best Buddies chapter in Milwaukee. “They have chapters in every neck of the woods, every state, every country,” said Frelick, who can’t help but break into a big smile just thinking about the people he’s met through that group. “They’re just the best. I was so fortunate growing up to go to school with those kids, they’re the happiest of people. I felt some really strong friendships with those students early, and it carried through high school and college, and here we are today. I just feel like this has to be part of my life.” |
Frelick has made community service a staple of his time off the field since high school. Credit: Kirsten Schmitt/Milwaukee Brewers As a Major Leaguer, it’s part of the job. Frelick just happens to love it. “I just remember what it was like seeing athletes out and about in my community doing good things,” he said. “It’s cool that I’m on the other side of that now. It’s important to embrace where you are. I’m in Milwaukee, and I want to be part of that Milwaukee community. “Even though Boston is my home, I spend most of my year in Milwaukee now, and I want to make sure that my job isn’t just to be available on the field. I want to make sure people know how much I love this city and the people here. It’s important to me to be out and about doing what I can do.” |
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Bob Uecker’s presence has been with the Brewers all season, so it was fitting that he was also part of the festivities Saturday after the Brewers became the first team in the Majors to clinch a playoff berth. As my friend Rich Rovito wrote for Brewers.com, while players, coaches and team personnel toasted the accomplishment with glasses of champagne, manager Pat Murphy read an emotional letter attributed to the beloved broadcaster, who passed away in January after a battle with cancer. It was actually written by Murphy, the Brewers said, as a way to remember and honor Uecker during the club’s celebration. Brewers owner Mark Attanasio handed Murphy the letter, which the manager read to all those gathered in the clubhouse following the stirring walk-off win and a return trip to the postseason. “I thought it was fitting, because the last time we celebrated, 'Ueck' was with us,” Murphy said, setting down his champagne glass as he unfolded the letter. Here’s the message “from Ueck,” as read by Murphy: “Howdy boys, never a doubt you would get this invitation. You did it by believing. Really miss you guys and I wish I was there. Things are good. The God Almighty picked me to be on this team up here, albeit [as] the third catcher. It’s a great league, no day games after night games. No shadows, but you got all the sticky you need to have up here. Told the big guy about you guys. Play hard every night. Not afraid to play for each other. He’s obviously very interested with the group with this uncommon goodness. I know you guys don’t really need me, but I’ll tell you guys … I’ll be on the headset every night watching. And don’t forget to take it all in, enjoy, and keep it light, believe in each other.” Murphy paused for a moment, then said, “Let’s toast to him and what we’ve achieved so far,” as everyone gathered raised their glasses. |
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Lefty Jordan Montgomery, acquired by the Brewers in a Trade Deadline deal while recovering from Tommy John surgery and sidelined into next season, popped in for a visit at American Family Field over the weekend for a very good cause. He and his wife, McKenzie, made a donation to the local chapter of Ronald McDonald House Charities, an organization near and dear to the couple. “I just wanted to get something done for Milwaukee,” Montgomery said. “Ronald McDonald House is something close to our hearts.” The Brewers acquired Montgomery as part of a deal that also brought reliever Shelby Miller to Milwaukee. In order to get Miller, the Brewers agreed to take on Montgomery in the deal and at least $2 million of what remains on his $22.5 million salary before he reaches free agency in the fall -- including a $500,000 bonus in his contract for getting traded, sources told MLB.com at the time of the trade. “Anything I can do to help, whatever team I’m on, to be part of the community,” Montomgery said. “It was such a weird trade; I had a clause in my contract, and it felt like it was the right thing to do.” |
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