ANAHEIM, Calif. — Chicago White Sox players lined up along the top step of the home dugout at Guaranteed Rate Field on Sunday while Andrew Vaughn received recognition as the team’s nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award.
The group cheered loudly as the pregame ceremony concluded.
Vaughn has made several contributions at the plate recently, with multihit efforts in five of his last seven games entering Monday’s series opener against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. The first baseman is tied for second on the team with 17 home runs and leads the Sox with 64 RBIs.
Vaughn has made an even bigger impact off the field, leading to the Clemente nomination.
“It’s pretty special,” Vaughn said last week. “Me and my wife (Lexi), it’s a huge part of our lives to be able to give back to the community. Being on the platform that we are as baseball players, it allows us to do that.
“It’s just a good feeling knowing we can go out and maybe help one person or a group of people. Whatever we can do.”
The Roberto Clemente Award is presented each year 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,” according to MLB.
Each team nominates one player. The award winner will be recognized during the World Series.
Andrew and Lexi Vaughn created the community outreach program “Going, Going, Vaughn.”
“The biggest thing is we bring a little joy,” Andrew Vaughn said. “Whatever the situation may be, just showing up, giving the time, I think that’s the most important thing.
“I remember when I was a little kid, I still remember the day Nick Swisher showed up to my baseball camp when I was like 7. I still have the glove that he signed. It’s probably faded, but little memories like that stand out.”
Vaughn is honored to be in that position now.
“Throughout the baseball world, seeing people give back is really special,” he said. “Just because we’re on a certain platform. And I think it’s important as well.
“Sometimes it’s very tough to see, just because you never wish that upon anybody to be in that situation. It’s a joy and a sadness. You get to bring a little light to their day.”
The program launched, according to the Sox, after a spring training collaboration with “Put on the Cape,” which filled the toy closets, food pantries and wardrobes of children and families affected by abuse. The outreach continued throughout the year.
In late March, the Vaughns hosted children and families at La Rabida Children’s Hospital for an opening-day party, providing plushies and T-shirts to more than 100 families along with treats for them and more than 150 La Rabida staff members.
In mid-May, they hosted more than a dozen foster moms from Brightpoint — a nonprofit offering comprehensive behavioral health services to parents and youth — for a ballpark suite experience.
July included, with help from “Digs with Dignity,” a home makeover for a South Side family that had been displaced by a flood.
And in August, Vaughn provided tips to participants in the White Sox Amateur City Elite (ACE) and Team Teflon programs during the Nike Home Run Derby.
“As soon as I made it to the big leagues and got on that platform, we just talked about it,” Vaughn said of what sparked his interest to give back. “We started small, and now we have our own foundation to work through.
“It’s been brewing throughout the years. Just trying to be better about getting out in the community and do whatever we can.”
Yoán Moncada reinstated from IL
The Sox reinstated third baseman Yoán Moncada from the 60-day injured list before Monday’s game and optioned outfielder Corey Julks to Triple-A Charlotte.
Moncada suffered a left adductor strain while running to first base April 9 in Cleveland and went on the IL the next day. He was 11-for-39 (.282) with three doubles, a triple, five walks and four runs in 11 games at the time of the injury.
He appeared in 17 rehab games, the last 12 with Charlotte, and went 22-for-56 (.393) with six doubles, one home run, eight RBIs and six walks.
Julks was hitting .214 with seven doubles, three home runs and 14 RBIs in 66 games for the Sox.
