SAN DIEGO -- In the 2009 offseason, after Craig Stammen?had broken through as a rookie starting pitcher for the Nationals, a few people he knew from his hometown had a question for him. They wanted to know if Stammen would be interested in spearheading a fundraiser to help with donations for local baseball fields and other athletic facilities in Versailles, Ohio.
Of course he would do it, Stammen answered quickly. But it was also something of a realization for him.
"It was a way to use my getting to the Major Leagues as a way to invigorate the community, to raise money, to help the kids going through high school have a better experience," Stammen said. "And that evolved. I saw right away that, because I'm a Major League Baseball player, I can impact people."
Thirteen years later, Stammen hasn't stopped. He routinely involved himself in charitable activities during his tenure in Washington. Upon his arrival in San Diego in 2017, he reached out to the organization and continued a number of those charitable efforts. He's been particularly involved with the local military community.
Stammen's charitable efforts earned him the Padres' nomination for the Roberto Clemente Award, baseball's most prestigious off-field individual honor. The Clemente Award is presented annually to the Major League player who best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.
Each team has one nominee for the league-wide Award, and the winner will be unveiled after the season (though the Padres presently have two nominees, with Josh Bell earning the honor for the Nationals for his own charitable endeavors).
"It's hard to wrap your head around what that means," said Stammen.
"[Clemente] was such an outstanding human being and an outstanding player. To be in the same conversation as him, it's quite humbling. It feels undeserved. But I'm happy to represent the Padres."
Stammen's nomination is certainly well-deserved. Serving as an advocate for the military, Stammen and the Padres unveiled the Community Room at the Military Family Clinic in 2019, allowing veterans the opportunity to attend activities like movie nights, counseling sessions and classes to strengthened family relationships. He's regularly hosted a clinic for the United Heroes League and even took a trip to Afghanistan in 2012 to visit military personnel.
On top of his work with the military, Stammen is involved with the Monarch School, participating in fundraising and gift distributions for students affected by homelessness. Stammen has also worked with the San Diego Rescue Mission to distribute food and hygiene kits to unhoused San Diegans downtown. Additionally, Stammen has participated in the Rady Children's Hospital's Celebration of Champions.
On the field, Stammen has been a steady presence in the Padres' bullpen for the past half-decade. He's experienced his share of ups and downs. But he's revered by his teammates and is viewed as the leader in the bullpen.
At 38 years old, Stammen is a free agent. It's unclear what comes next. But this much is clear: Stammen has made a significant impact on the San Diego community. And the reverse holds true as well.
"I've been lucky to be here for as long as I have," Stammen said. "In a way, it feels like home. And it is home for six months out of the year. It'll always be a part of who I am and the type person that I am. I love San Diego. I love playing for the Padres. And I love being around the people in this community."