Manny Machado has had a huge week – taking over ownership of a major Padres record while finding himself in the running for his sport’s humanitarian award.
The slugger, a Padre since 2019, hit a two-run home run in Seattle to become San Diego’s career leader in homers, with 164.
The line drive to center field in the sixth inning Tuesday gave San Diego a 5-2 lead – the Friars beat the Mariners 7-3 – and Machado watched from home plate as the ball left his bat.
Machado’s homer, his 26th this season, snapped a tie with Nate Colbert atop the Padres home run list.
“Huge, especially in the situation of the game, give us the lead there and give us a nice little cushion,” Machado said. “Definitely a special moment there for sure that I’ll never forget.”
He has 339 career homers total so far, also collected in Baltimore, where he started his career, and during a brief sojourn in Los Angeles.
The Padres didn’t fare as well Wednesday, as Seattle’s Bryan Woo had a perfect game through six. Fernando Tatis Jr. homered to break it up with one out in the seventh, and the Friars added another run, but still trailed 5-2, the eventual final, as the Mariners secured a split of the brief series.
The Padres. after an off day Thursday, head to San Francisco.
Meanwhile, Machado also is a finalist for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award, named in honor of the late Hall of Famer known for his charitable contributions.
Each MLB team is represented by one nominee and Machado was named to represent the Padres for his work with the Peter Seidler Legacy Fund, created last year following the November death of the Padres’ owner.
Seidler showed particular interest in aiding those who lack shelter, and Machado has worked on developing the San Diego Rescue Mission South County Lighthouse, a shelter that provides those in need with trauma-informed care.
But that’s not all. In partnership with the team, Machado has created a program to encourage better attendance rates by San Diego Unified School District students. He also hosts children from underserved communities to watch batting practice at Petco Park and meet his fellow players. In addition, he has become more deeply involved with the community by becoming a partner in the MLS expansion club, San Diego FC.
Fans may vote online for Machado or their favorite through Sept. 29. A blue-ribbon panel also will weigh in to decide the winner, who will be honored at the World Series.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
