Austin Riley’s work away from the batter’s box is earning him a place among baseball’s most meaningful honors.
The Braves third baseman has been nominated for the 2026 Roberto Clemente Award, recognition that goes to the player who best reflects the game through character, community work, philanthropy and positive impact on and off the field.
Riley’s connection to service members runs deep. He said he has long enjoyed watching hunting shows that feature military members being guided on a hunt, and that those stories stuck with him. When baseball gave him a chance to do something similar for veterans, he jumped at it.
“I loved getting to hear their stories and I was like, ‘Man, if I ever get put in the position to be able to do something like that, I'd love to,’” Riley said. “Obviously, baseball has allowed me to do that.”
That appreciation has shown up in several ways through his work with the Atlanta Braves Foundation. His signature initiative, Operation Home Team, honors military veterans at Wednesday home games during the season. Those invited receive tickets, complimentary parking, batting practice field passes and a meeting with Riley.
“It’s cool to just be able to make an impact off the field,” Riley said. “I’ve met so many good veterans who mean a lot to me, my family and a lot of people around the world.
To be able to show my appreciation is something my wife [Anna] and I take pride in. It’s a cool recognition.”
The Rileys also hosted a Military Appreciation lunch at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in June, where active duty service members and airmen got barbeque and time with the two-time All-Star third baseman.
His annual Austin Riley Charity Golf Tournament has also become a major fundraising effort, bringing in more than $500,000 for The Warrior Alliance, a Georgia-based nonprofit that works to improve the quality of life for service members, veterans and their families through a network of veteran support organizations.
This season also brought a moment Riley won’t forget. He met a World War II veteran who was more than 100 years old and had saved a number of people during the Holocaust.
“There was a guy there who was over 100 years old,” Riley said. “He saved a bunch of people during the Holocaust.
Talking to him was surreal. That gave me some chill bumps for sure.”
Anna Riley has been a big part of the effort, too. In May, the couple hosted spouses of deployed military members in a suite at Truist Park to celebrate Mother’s Day and Military Appreciation Month.
“My wife Anna is super involved,” Riley said. “She’s got a ton on her plate with our own kids.
But she’s there to support. My whole family usually comes to the golf tournament.
Seeing that support from the family is awesome. I’m just happy we’ve had a chance to meet so many wonderful people.”
Each of MLB’s 30 teams has a Clemente nominee, and fans can vote for this year’s winner through Sept. 27.
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