Josh Hader’s name is on the list for one of baseball’s biggest off-field honors, and the Astros closer is getting the nod for the second straight year.
MLB marked Roberto Clemente Day on Sept. 15, the annual celebration of the late Hall of Famer’s humanitarian legacy. Each of the league’s 30 teams submits one nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award, which recognizes a player’s community work, philanthropy and impact both on and off the field. For Houston, that nominee is Hader.
He was recognized at Daikin Park during the series opener against the Kansas City Royals.
Hader arrived in Houston before the 2024 season on a five-year, $95 million contract and earned his sixth All-Star selection last year. Since then, he and his wife, Maria, have been active in the city, with their Hader’s Heart program launching in 2024 to support children in Child Protective Services care and at-risk young adults.
The program works each month with BEAR Houston (Be A Resource) and Covenant House, the organization that provides shelter for young people dealing with homelessness. BEAR serves at-risk and CPS-involved children along with their caretakers, and Hader’s Heart participants get a full game-day experience, including time in a suite, batting practice on the field and a chance to meet Hader and his teammates.
The Haders also held an “Uncork for a Cause” event in 2025 and 2026, with proceeds benefiting BEAR and Covenant House Houston. In April, Hader teamed up with a local sporting goods retailer to give 20 children from BEAR a shopping trip they won’t forget, handing each child a $200 shopping spree and helping them pick out their items.
A panel that includes representatives from the Commissioner’s Office, Capital One, MLB-affiliated networks, MLB.com, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Roberto’s children will select the winner. The award will be presented at the 2026 World Series.
Hader’s work off the field comes alongside another strong season on it. The left-hander is 4-1 with a 0.85 ERA and has converted all 26 of his save chances.
In 42.1 innings, he has allowed just one home run and four earned runs. He missed the first two months with a shoulder capsule strain, but has still been a major reason the Astros remain in contention.
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