SHOCKING REACTION: MLB Chief Executive Rob Manfred Reacts To Padres’ Star Manny Machado Nomination For Another Prestigious Award

Manny Machado has been designated the San Diego Padres’ nominee for this year’s Roberto Clemente Award. The award, given to the player who “best exemplifies baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement, and the individual’s contribution to his team,” is named after Baseball Hall of Famer and 15-time MLB All-Star Roberto Clemente, who died in a plane crash while attempting to bring emergency aid to earthquake survivors in Nicaragua.

“For his leadership and commitment to the San Diego community, Manny Machado is our 2024 Roberto Clemente Award nominee,” the Padres said on X with a yellow heart.”
Machado has become a prominent presence in the San Diego community since joining the Padres in 2019. His involvement in San Diego has grown over the last year, with Machado emerging as a significant character in the Peter Seidler Legacy Projects. The programs, named after the Padres’ late owner who died last November, are primarily aimed at assisting San Diego’s homeless population.

Machado has also concentrated on assisting underprivileged youngsters in the community. He has advocated for higher school attendance rates by visiting schools and encouraging kids to attend lessons. He has also given away lunches, shirts, hats, bicycles, helmets, tickets, backpacks, and other school supplies to youngsters in need.
In addition to helping the San Diego community, Machado’s foundation, Team Machado – The Sky’s the Limit, supports youngsters in Miami and the Dominican Republic.

Machado continues to do an excellent job representing the Padres on and off the field. This season, he has hit.275/.328/.467 with 25 home runs and 90 RBIs. Machado has helped the Padres emerge as playoff contenders this season, following a disappointing 2023 season in which they fell short of lofty expectations.
Machado has also sealed his place in Padres history over the last week. Machado hit two home runs on Friday, tying Nate Colbert for the franchise record. Machado now has 163 home runs with the Padres and 337 overall in his career.

Only one Padres player has previously received the award: Mr. Padre, Tony Gwynn. Gwynn earned the prize in 1999. Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees is the most recent recipient of the award.