The Roberto Clemente award recognizes professional baseball players who not only represent the game, but exemplify sportsmanship, a commitment to community and the value of helping others.

Every season, one player from each of the 30 MLB clubs is nominated by their teammates. The honoree would normally be chosen by a panel of dignitaries and announced at the World Series. But, this year, sports fans are being asked to help decide the winner by voting on a website until Oct. 8. Participating fans in the voting will be automatically registered for a chance to win a trip to the 2010 World Series, where the award will be presented.

The award is named for the 12-time All-Star and Hall of Famer who died in a plane crash in 1972, while delivering aid supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. MLB celebrates Roberto Clemente Day as part of the broader "MLB Going Beyond" platform, which strives to integrate community service and the importance of giving back.

For the fourth year in a row, Chevrolet will provide the prize money for the Roberto Clemente Award, which is donated to the charities represented by each of the nominees.

Derek Jeter of the Yankees won the award last year, and he is on the ballot again as the Yankees' nominee. No player ever has won the award more than once, and veterans historically win, with Craig Biggio receiving it in his 2007 farewell season. Willie Mays won the first one in 1971, one of 13 future Hall of Famers who have been so honored. A few examples of this year's nominees are below:

"This is one of the greatest jobs in the world, if not the best, and to be able to give back is something that I really appreciate," Lewis said. On being mentioned in the same breath as Clemente, he added: "It's extremely humbling.

See the full list of nominees and vote at MLB.com (no registration required).

Marlins manager Edwin Rodriguez, the first Puerto Rican-born MLB manager, said: "Every player in the big leagues knows what Roberto Clemente means, not only for the game, but for humanity. The award means a lot. It's how you're seen from other players and other people."

The winner of the fan poll will receive one vote among those cast by the selection panel, which includes Vera Clemente, wife of the late Hall of Famer; Commissioner Selig; MLB Network analyst and 1991 Clemente Award winner Harold Reynolds; MLB Network analyst, TBS broadcaster and former Clemente Award winner John Smoltz; Hall of Famer and ESPN broadcaster Joe Morgan; former All-Star catcher and FOX broadcaster Tim McCarver; and MLB.com senior correspondent Hal Bodley.