Back in April, when the San Diego Padres traveled to New York to face the Mets at Citi Field, I, Robert Rizzo, along with Latino Sports president and founder Julio Pabón, had the chance to have an in-depth conversation with Dominican superstar Manny Machado about the 33rd Annual LatinoMVP Awards — the most prestigious and oldest awards given to Latino baseball players, dating back to 1990.
We talked with Manny for a good 10-15 minutes in the Padres clubhouse, discussing the history of the award, how he was a nominee for the 2022 National League LatinoMVP on our official award ballot, then went on to reveal to him that he had won the illustrious 2022 NL LatinoMVP — voted on by the Latino Sports Writers and Broadcasters Association, who work together from around the United States, the Caribbean and Latin America.
Interview with Padres 3B Manny Machado on winning the Latino MVP. #BringTheGold #MannyMachado #LatinoMVP pic.twitter.com/E2kgutJgnh
— Latino Sports (@LatinoSports) April 12, 2023
Machado’s immediate reaction on the massive news? A bright smile with a response that lit up the room!
“This will probably be one of the highest ones on my list, probably number one,” he said. “Just to get nominated and winning it and being able to do it as a Latino player and you know it’s just, I mean from what I’ve heard, it’s just an unbelievable honor and I’m blessed to have accomplished it.”
Machado also mentioned just how significant the LatinoMVP Award is to him, and for all Latinos in Major League Baseball: “It’s huge — I think you know as players we give a lot to the community; we give a lot to this game, and you know sometimes it goes unrecognized. In our countries, and where we’re from you know, it’s bigger than the game. And for it to be recognized at this level, it’s something that needs to grow more.”
Manny Machado with Latino Sports president and founder Julio Pabón prior to Padres-Yankees this past May at Yankee Stadium – Image Credit: Maz Adams/Latino Sports
I write this today, Saturday September 23rd, because it is a special day for Manny, Latino Sports, the LSWBA, and Major League Baseball, as we have all planned ahead in being able to present Machado with his 2022 National League LatinoMVP Award prior to tonight’s Cardinals-Padres game at Petco Park with an on-the-field ceremony featuring Latino Sports president and founder Julio Pabón.
Views of Petco Park – Image Credit: Petco Park/MLB
And to let everyone know, we do things differently here at Latino Sports…
Major Leaguers have been awarded trophies, and plaques, ever since they began their playing days as a young child, seeking out that lifelong dream of hopefully playing in the Show in front of thousands of fans — so with that in mind, what we do is award American/National League LatinoMVP recipients with a one-of-a-kind mural painting by one of our exclusive LatinoMVP artists James Fiorentino, who is nationally known and recognized for his impeccable artwork and craftsmanship.
Fernando Tatis Jr. presented 2020 National League LatinoMVP Award – Image Credit: San Diego Padres/MLB
Juan Soto receiving the 2021 National League LatinoMVP Award. With Manny being named the 2022 NL LatinoMVP, we have a LatinoMVP Three-Peat: Machado in 2022, Soto in 2021, and Tatis in 2020! – Image Credit: San Diego Padres/MLB
To be celebrating a player’s career milestone, one in which many in MLB clubhouses have deemed, the “Latin Grammy of Baseball,” during Hispanic Heritage Month in front of their respective home crowd and fanbase is, what can I say, “MAN, OH MAN.”
“That’s a special month for us,” Machado said. “It’s going to be a special award and you know, I’m just looking forward to that day. I’m blessed to have the opportunity to receive that.”
From all of us here at Latino Sports, the LSWBA, and MLB, congratulations to Manny on winning the 2022 National League LatinoMVP Award!
33rd Annual Latino MVP Awards – Image Credit: Latino Sports
33rd Annual LatinoMVP Award Presentation Schedule!
September 15th (Roberto Clemente Day) — New York Mets, Citi Field: Edwin Díaz, N.L. LatinoMVP Relief/Closer and Cleveland Guardians, Progressive Field: Emmanuel Clase, A.L. LatinoMVP Relief/Closer
Maz Adams, Artist and Julio Pabón, Latino Sports President handing Edwin Díaz during his 2022 NL LatinoMVP Relief/Closer Award presentation – Image Credit: Christopher Pasatieri
Emmanuel Clase and Robert Rizzo in pregame LatinoMVP presentation. The artwork for Clase’s award was done by one of our exclusive LatinoMVP artists Maz Adams – Image Credit: Cleveland Guardians/MLB
September 17th — Seattle Mariners, T-Mobile Park: Julio Rodríguez, A.L LatinoMVP Rookie
Latino Sports representative Michelle Davila and Julio Rodríguez during his 2022 AL LatinoMVP Rookie Award presentation – Image Credit: Latino Sports
September 19th — Miami Marlins, LoanDepot Park: Sandy Alcántara, N.L. LatinoMVP Pitcher
Sandy Alcántara receives his 2022 National League LatinoMVP Pitcher Award by Latino Sports South Florida Representative German DuBois III at loanDepot Park – Image Credit: Jasen Vinlove/Miami Marlins
September 20th — New York Yankees, Yankee Stadium: Nestor Cortes, A.L. LatinoMVP Pitcher
Maz Adams, Nestor Cortes, James Fiorentino and Julio Pabón during Nestor’s 2022 AL LatinoMVP Pitcher Award Presentation – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
September 22nd — Houston Astros, Minute Maid Park: Yordan Álvarez, A.L. LatinoMVP
Julio Pabón and Yordan Alvarez during his 2022 American League LatinoMVP Award presentation on Friday night September 22nd. The breathtaking artwork for Alvarez’ 2022 AL LatinoMVP Award was done by nationally-acclaimed artist James Fiorentino, who is one of the exclusive artists for the LatinoMVP Awards – Image Credit: Houston Astros/MLB
September 23rd — San Diego Padres, Petco Park: Manny Machado, N.L. LatinoMVP
To Be Announced — Pittsburgh Pirates, PNC Park: Oneil Cruz, N.L. LatinoMVP Rookie
Robert Rizzo is a journalist and editor of Latino Sports – Email: RobertRiz994@gmail.com
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