"For me, it would be a great honor: Corey Knebel reflects on being Roberto Clemente Award nominee

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Brewers All Star Closer Corey Knebel is up for a prestigious award. Every year, each MLB team picks someone to nominate for the Roberto Clemente Award.

CBS 58 News Kate Chappell sat down with Corey to talk about what this means to him and his family.

Corey Knebel and his Brewers teammates are ready for the playoffs. The end goal: the World Series. And while they hope there's a lot of baseball to play, it's during that annual championship series where the winner of a prestigious award will also be announced.

"For me, it would be a great honor," Corey Knebel said.

The 26-year-old was nominated for the award which is handed out anually to a player who's involved ona dn off the field. It's in honor of the late Hall of Famer who died in a plane crash on his way to deliver aid to earth quake victims in Nicaragua.

"He's ina  fortunate position and he knows that and he doesn't mind sharing his wealth and his time," said Katina Shaw who runs the Brewers Community Foundation.

Every spring she meets with the players to find the causes they care about and sets them up with worthwhile charities in Wisconsin.

The foundation gets 100% financial giving from the clubhouse so it's tough to pick from a generous group of guys but Shaw says this year, it was a no-brainer.

"At first he was like, I don't deserve that and I'm like you do deserve that, Corey. You do some amazing things in the community and our fans need to know that," Shaw said. 

Knebel has served as base coach at the Mirale League of Milwaukee All-Star Game.

He's donated to Autism Speaks and helped organize an autism awareness night for families at Miller Park.

He serves as an honorary chair for the Milwaukee Emergency Center for animals 'Vest a K-9' event.

He and his wife also purchased 'Love your Melon' hats for kids with cancer.

"We've always had a soft spot for kids, my wife especially. Danielle and I really enjoy it, it really warms our heart," said Knebel.

A Brewer has only won the Clemente Award once. It was Cecil Cooper in 1983.

So a win this year would be a big deal for Milwaukee.

"We would be so proud of him as if we're not already." And a big deal for a Texas guy who has made Milwaukee his home.

"I know that'd be something that would be kept in my dad's house. He's like everything you've done on the field, off the field, in life, I'm very proud of you, but that was a big moment and something to be proud of," Knebel said. 

The league-wide window of the Roberto Clemente Award will be announced during the 2018 World Series.

During the interview, Knebel also opened up about his love for another Wisconsin team, the Packers!