Often vilified by MLB, San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado is changing that stigma. His play on and off the field is indicative of a hall-of-famer and that is exactly what he will be one day. 

Winning the Roberto Clemente Award is a remarkable accomplishment for a major league player.

The annual award is given to the Major League Baseball (MLB) player who “best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement, and the individual’s contribution to his team.”

The award is voted on by baseball fans and members of the media. Just to be nominated is a great honor. Winning the prize is on a whole new level. The Roberto Clemente Award (originally called the Commissioners Award) started in 1971, and Willie Mays was the first winner. The award is named in honor of Baseball Hall of Famer and 15-time MLB All-Star Roberto Clemente, who died in a 1972 plane crash while trying to bring emergency help to earthquake survivors in Nicaragua.

This 2024 season, Manny Machado is the Padres’ nominee for the award.

Immediately upon arrival in San Diego, Manny Machado embraced the city and its citizens. The generous efforts of Machado deserve to be recognized.

It wasn’t always sunshine and rainbows for Machado, though, who was labeled a troublemaker with an attitude early in his career.

The young Machado may have played the game with a chip on his shoulder, but his talent could never be denied. As Machado matured, he has taken the role of leader to heart. His mentorship of players like Fernando Tatis Jr. are instrumental is the success the Padres are enjoying now. He is the captain of the Padres.

Machado signed an extension in early 2023 and will be in a Padres uniform through the 2033 season when he is 41. He will be a Padre for the rest of his career. The slugging third baseman recently passed Nate Colbert for the Padres’ all-time home run lead. His list of accomplishments is long, but Machado does not possess a Roberto Clemente Award.

Tony Gwynn won the award for his efforts during the 1999 season. That season, Gwynn committed endless hours and money to several local charities. The future MLB Hall-of-Famer was involved with Children’s Hospital as well as several youth groups in the area. He was a pillar of the community and a face to San Diego, as well as SDSU.

”Roberto Clemente was obviously a great ballplayer, but he brought more to the table than just baseball,” Gwynn explained to the New York Times in 1999.   “It’s nice to be recognized not only for what you do on the field but what you do off. My wife and I try to make a difference,” Gwynn told CBS Sports in 1999.

Like Tony Gwynn, Manny Machado is making San Diego his adopted home. He is trying to make a difference.

Machado emerged as a critical figure in the Peter Seidler Legacy Projects.

The projects, in honor of the Padres’ late owner, who died last November, largely focus on helping the San Diego homeless. Machado is personally funding the development of The San Diego Rescue Mission’s South County Light House. This project was dear to Seidler in his improvement of San Diego. This mission provides care and support to the homeless in an effort to properly end future homelessness in the area.

Manny Machado also motivates the youth in the area. A new program called “Be A Pro And Always Go” addresses low attendance rates in local classrooms. Machado has visited several schools and assisted in motivating kids to come to school daily. The campaign was formed by the Padres and the San Diego Unified School District and shows immediate results. Attendance rates have improved by five percent. Kudos to Machado and the Padres for their efforts.

San Diegans are not the only ones benefiting from Machado’s philanthropy. In his “Manny’s Hot Corner” program, Machado helps children from Baja California, Mexico. The superstar third baseman assists kids in Tijuana and other parts of Mexico with a night of baseball at Petco Park. Manny and his wife host the local children. This season, more than 250 kids and their families participated in the event.

While in Mexico and Korea these past two seasons with the Padres, Machado was instrumental in developing a clinic for the youth. The MLB superstar enjoys working with kids and was blessed with his first child this year. His efforts with the youth deserve praise, as Machado is a role model in every sense of the word.

“Team Machado – The Sky’s the Limit” is a foundation Machado runs himself. This foundation aims to support underprivileged youth in San Diego, Miami, and the Dominican Republic. Machado is from Miami and is still very active in Southern Florida. His endeavors with the community span both coasts and include other underprivileged countries.

It remains to be seen if Machado will bring home the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award this season. There can only be one winner, and obviously, the other players nominated are also doing great things in their communities. To be recognized is an honor in itself. To be labeled a hero instead of a villain is an achievement for Machado. MLB and its fans recognize him as one of the best in the game.

James Clark

James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.