# Zach Neto named Angels' Roberto Clemente Award nominee > The 25-year-old shortstop calls the honor more important than any on-field award. - Title: Zach Neto named Angels' Roberto Clemente Award nominee - Summary: The 25-year-old shortstop calls the honor more important than any on-field award. Zach Neto views community service as more meaningful than baseball success… - Keywords: zach neto, los angeles angels, roberto clemente award, community service, joe dimaggio children's hospital, military support, taps, fleet week, angels foundation, mlb philanthropy, sports, Zach - Source: Los Angeles Angels On SI — https://si.com/mlb/angels/onsi/zach-neto-reacts-to-roberto-clemente-award-nomination-an-incredible-honor-01m2kmg5vsgh - Published: 2026-09-15T23:37:50+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: zach neto, los angeles angels, roberto clemente award, community service, joe dimaggio children's hospital, military support, taps, fleet week, angels foundation, mlb philanthropy, sports ## Neto named Angels' Clemente nominee The 25-year-old shortstop was announced as the Angels' 2026 nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award, which honors extraordinary character and community philanthropy. ## Neto grew emotional about the honor The usually high-energy shortstop became visibly emotional when asked about the nomination, saying the award means more to him than any other honor in baseball. > It means the world. Me and my family talk about it all the time this game is bigger than just itself on the field. ## Off-field work matters most Neto believes the Clemente Award is the most important award in the Major Leagues because it recognizes who you are as a person and what you do for your community. > To me, personally, I think this award in general is the most important award out of every single award there is in the Major Leagues. ## Raised by a Navy veteran Neto's father Joaquin served in the Navy, giving him a living example of service and showing him that true heroes defend freedoms and serve their communities daily. ## Fulfilling childhood dreams As a kid, Neto dreamed of meeting big league players. Now he tries to be that inspiration for young fans who had the same wishes he did. > Now as a big leaguer I'm just trying to fulfill that dream for those kids I wished I could have been. ## Passing the torch forward Neto hopes the kids he inspires will carry on the tradition and inspire the next generation, creating a cycle of mentorship that extends beyond his playing career. > I'm not going to play this game forever. I want just to hand it off to them and them do the same thing back. ## Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital focus Neto is a major contributor to the Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Foundation in his hometown of Miami, hosting an annual bowling tournament and visiting patients directly. ## Maximizing hospital donations Neto uses the MLB Players Association Players Trust Double Play Matching Gifts Program to increase his financial contributions to the hospital and designated it as his Clemente Award donation recipient. ## Angels Foundation work locally Neto visits schools through the Adopt A School program and hosts free baseball clinics to inspire and help children in the Los Angeles area. ## Supporting military families As a Navy veteran's son, Neto attends Fleet Week each year to interact with service members and express gratitude for their sacrifice and service. > Not too many people get to say 'thank you' and I think it's a very good way to say it. ## Honoring fallen service members Neto supports TAPS, the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, hosting families of fallen service members at Angel Stadium to honor their loved ones. ## Team and individual recognition The Angels won the Bobby Murcer Award for charitable work last month, with Neto playing a key role as a team leader. Now he's being honored for his individual contributions. ## Key takeaway Zach Neto views community service as more meaningful than baseball success and has built his charitable work around helping children and military families.