Marlins' new skipper immersing himself in Miami community

This story was excerpted from Christina De Nicola’s Marlins Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

MIAMI -- Marlins manager Clayton McCullough has a lot to be thankful for this year.

Just last month, McCullough won the World Series as the Dodgers’ first-base coach. A week ago, the Marlins formally introduced him in a role he had aspired to serve in for decades.

With plenty of appreciation for his fortunes, McCullough was more than willing to volunteer at the 15th annual Home Plate Meals Thanksgiving Distribution on Friday afternoon at loanDepot park as the Marlins and Miami Marlins Foundation teamed up with Love, Tito’s, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and AutoNation.

“Just to be a part of this, with the holidays here, realize that we're very fortunate to have some of the things in our lives that we do, and then those that maybe are a little bit less fortunate, [it’s a] chance to be able to help out, give back,” McCullough said. “That's what being a solid human being, and being here, that's what it's about. It's really larger than baseball. This is more about us doing what's right by those in our community, and being here as a pillar to help them.”

Cooler fall temperatures put everyone in a holiday mood as McCullough, president of baseball operations Peter Bendix, president of business operations Caroline O'Connor, catcher Nick Fortes and “Mr. Marlin” Jeff Conine assisted volunteers in providing 1,000 families from the Little Havana community with Thanksgiving essentials. Each family received meals containing approximately 15 pounds of fixings, including items provided by partners Goya Foods, P.A.N. and Pepsi, and a 10-pound turkey.

The Marlins also presented a check for $40,000 to Feeding South Florida.

“We love the weather and being able to be out here and talk to our community, wish them, ‘Happy Thanksgiving,’” O'Connor said. “We love being in their homes and making the holiday better for all of them. It's a great time of year, and we're excited to spend it with the community.”

It was a family affair for McCullough, who resides in Jupiter, Fla., as he was joined by his wife Jill and their three kids. It meant a lot for them to give back to the local community so quickly after taking the job. Fortes and his fiancée Alli helped out for a second straight year. So did Bendix and his wife Lauren.

“Very important,” McCullough said. “I think it's like trying to be a solid human being and put others first, something my wife and I are trying to educate our kids on. It's great that we get to work in baseball, and we get to do and see a lot of cool things, but there's certainly much bigger things outside of the lines that are important. And again, having the opportunity that we do to be part of events like this, honored that the Marlins asked me to come down and do this, because this is great [for] my kids to be able to see that and hopefully learn the value in that in treating people and taking care of others. It means as much as a father to me than anything.”

Friday marked another opportunity for McCullough to connect with his new organization. He has been reaching out to his new players to build relationships. As a local, McCullough has been able to grab lunch with Fortes and Jesús Luzardo. He was at an event last week attended by Xavier Edwards.

“It's awesome to see his kids here helping out, giving out turkeys that look like they weigh just as much as they do,” Fortes said. “It's cute, but, yeah, it's fun. I'm glad he brought them out here. It's all about building that culture, a very family-oriented environment. So I'm happy to be a part of it.”

For more information on the Marlins’ community impact, visit MarlinsImpact.org.