Thome wins Clemente Award

? Cleveland first baseman Jim Thome won the Roberto Clemente Award for his community service and found out the Indians will offer him a new contract next week.

He became the second Indians player to win the Clemente Award, given annually to the player who combines outstanding playing ability with work in the community.

John Hancock, which sponsors the award, will donate $30,000 in Thome’s name to Roberto Clemente Sports City, a sports and education center in Puerto Rico, and $25,000 to the Steve Palermo Chapter of the National Paralysis Center in Leawood, Kan., in the name of Thome’s nephew, Brandon Thome.

Brandon, 16, broke his neck while diving into a swimming pool this summer and remains paralyzed from the waist down.