NEW YORK -- When Opening Day was delayed by four months due to the coronavirus pandemic, Giancarlo Stanton spent some of those idle hours researching the medical community, learning that there was a shortage of personal protective equipment on the front lines.

In response, Stanton partnered with a Brooklyn-based manufacturer to create more than 15,000 reusable face shields, which were donated to hospitals serving New York City and the greater Los Angeles area. In recognition of his efforts, Stanton has been named as the Yankees’ nominee for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award.

“These cities hold a special place in my heart, as do their first responders and volunteers who are working non-stop,” Stanton said.

• 2020 Roberto Clemente Award nominees

Speaking to friends in the medical field, Stanton learned that face shields were considered essential equipment when used in conjunction with N95 masks, helping to prevent infectious droplets from entering the eyes, nose and mouth. The shields permit workers to reduce the number of masks used in a typical day.

With assistance from his agents, Joel Wolfe and Brittany Peiffer at Wasserman, Stanton linked with Voodoo Manufacturing, which repurposed the 3D printers at its East Williamsburg production facility to create supplies for the battle against the spread of COVID-19. The chosen hospitals predominantly serve Black and Latino communities, many of which have been hit hard throughout the pandemic.

Stanton also partnered with Six Star Pro Nutrition to donate approximately 20,000 units (more than 180,000 servings) of whey protein isolate and clean protein shakes to the Fire Department of New York, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Los Angeles (Watts-Willowbrook and West San Gabriel Valley).

“When there isn’t any positive news out there, for me it’s just trying to keep ready to go -- keep a positive mindset, try to improve things,” Stanton told the New York Post in April. “Learn new things, better myself, always. That’s really all you can do.”

Stanton is currently rehabbing from a left hamstring strain sustained on Aug. 8. The 30-year-old has batted .293 with three homers and seven RBIs in 14 games this season.

This marks Stanton’s second nomination for the Clemente Award, having also been recognized as the Marlins’ nominee in 2016. The award is given annually to a player who demonstrates the values that Clemente displayed in his commitment to community and understanding the value of helping others. The winner is selected from the group of 30 nominees during the World Series.

“He's a great guy,” said the Yankees’ Tyler Wade. “I know where he's from in L.A., he's very active in the community in giving back. That's one of the guys that is more deserving of that award than anybody, because of how much he cares about the people in his community. I'm happy he's nominated for that.”