Jason Adam, now a Padre, is Rays' nominee for Roberto Clemente Award

PHILADELPHIA — Jason Adam has been playing for the Padres since a trade in late July, but the Rays decided to keep him as their candidate for the Roberto Clemente Award, one of Major League Baseball's most prestigious awards.

Adam was selected by Rays officials because of the time he spent with young people who attended weekly home games, some of whom were participating in sports programs for people with special needs, others who suffered from life-threatening illnesses.

The Rays also recognized his work in the youth education program “Reading with the Rays,” his volunteer work at the Ronald McDonald Houses, and his participation in the Voices of Hope for Aphasia crossword puzzle gala “Word Play.”

“To be nominated for this is, I would say, without a doubt the greatest honor of my career,” Adam said during the Padres' recent visit ahead of the announcement. “It makes you feel a little bit like an imposter, like I don't really deserve this.”

“But I'm just grateful that the Rays saw something in me, that they felt like I would have an impact on the community, because that's ultimately what we're here to do. We love this game, but it goes a lot further.”

Adam said he was also grateful to have been selected by Rays officials despite controversial comments he made in June 2022 about why he and several other Rays refused to wear rainbow-colored logos on their Pride Night jerseys and caps, saying at the time it was a “faith-based decision” to abstain.

“That really meant a lot to me too,” he said on Aug. 30. “You know, deep down in my heart, I never wanted to hurt anyone, and for them to look beyond that, it showed me that they still believed that I was a positive influence, and that meant the world to me.”

Adam will donate the $7,500 associated with his nomination to the International Justice Mission, which Adam said is committed to “ending modern-day slavery worldwide.” He said he is also donating to Compassion International, which aims to help impoverished children around the world.

According to MLB, the award goes to a player who “best represents the game … through exceptional character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions both on and off the field.”

Nominating traded players is nothing new; the Twins stuck with Nelson Cruz after his trade to the Rays in 2021 and he emerged as the overall winner of the award.

Not so unimportant matters

Speedy outfielder Chandler Simpson, who plays for Double-A Montgomery, stole his 100th, 101st and 102nd bases on Sunday. “That's pretty spectacular,” said Rays manager Kevin Cash. “It puts him in a very special category.”

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Simpson is the first minor league player to score in triple figures since Delino DeShields stole 101 and Billy Hamilton stole 155. The last major league player to reach the 100 mark was St. Louis' Vince Coleman, who stole 109 in 1987.

The Rays' two Class A teams open the best-of-three playoff series on Tuesday: High-A Bowling Green hosts Rome (Braves) in the South Atlantic League and Charleston hosts Kannapolis (White Sox) in the Carolina League.

Miscellaneous

Christopher Morel made his first start in left field as the Rays want to see if he fits better in the infield or outfield. … Jose Siri's home run-stealing catch on Saturday was voted MLB's Electric Play of the Week. … Infielder/outfielder Richie Palacios, out since a knee sprain on July 31, continues to make progress and is scheduled to start games Thursday at Port Charlotte. … The Rays should have a better idea by the end of the road trip whether left-hander Jeffrey Springs, who was placed on the injured list Sunday because of left elbow fatigue, can return for the remainder of the season.

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