Toronto's ace pitcher has been heralded for his work on the mound, but Halladay's efforts off the field are drawing praise as well. For the third year in a row, Halladay's programs aimed at helping less fortunate children have made him the Blue Jays' nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award.

The award recognizes the player who best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual's contribution to his team. It's named in honor of the former Pirates outfielder who died in a plane accident while attempting to transport relief supplies to earthquake-stricken Nicaragua on Dec. 31, 1972. The winner will be announced during the World Series.

"Honestly, I don't think there's a lot of people who can be put in the same breath as Clemente," Halladay said. "That's a lot to live up to -- the way that guy lived his life and what he did for people. More than anything, it's important that they're recognizing that in baseball."

Halladay, who signed a lucrative contract extension in March that runs through the 2010 season, has valued the importance of helping children since he first signed a four-year deal with Toronto in 2004. After that first extension, Halladay established two programs that have continued to grow.

The 2003 American League Cy Young Award winner's biggest initiative is called "Doc's Box for Kids." A few times each season, Halladay and his wife invite a group of kids from the Hospital for Sick Children to come to Rogers Centre to take in a game from a private skybox. The suite went through a major renovation last season that redesigned the box in a more kid-friendly manner.

Halladay, who takes time to meet the children and their families, has enjoyed seeing the growth of the program and the improvements to the suite itself. He said the best part has been seeing the reaction from children who he has met more than once.

"The kid they brought up during the Gala had actually been to the Doc's Box the year before," said Halladay, referring to an event sponsored by the Jays Care Foundation. "When they say how great it was and how much they enjoy it -- it's great seeing that. There's more and more kids getting a chance to go, which is nice to see."

Doc's Box is also sponsored by the Jays Care Foundation, which was established in 1992 to support programs, groups and activities that benefit children. Halladay added that one thing he enjoys seeing the foundation do is help restore baseball fields used by kids throughout Toronto.

• Complete coverage >

Halladay also helped create The Strikeout Challenge, in which fans can pledge a donation to the Jays Care Foundation for every batter that the right-hander strikes outs in a season. He said that program was still going strong this year, too.

Halladay's success on the mound has enabled him to have the financial ability to establish these programs. As far as he is concerned, he views his efforts as a bonus to his job.

"I think it's an opportunity that you have, especially in this profession, that you don't get very often," Halladay said. "It's nice to be able to do those things and help those kids. It's not really about having people see it."

People have seen his contributions, though, and that's why Halladay continues to be nominated.