Colorado Springs, Colo. – Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA) is proud to announce Jerry Manuel as the 2026 recipient of the Fred Valentine Lifetime Achievement Award. Manuel, a former infielder and longtime manager, led both the New York Mets and Chicago White Sox and is widely respected as an ambassador of the game. He will be recognized during the MLBPAA’s Alumni Day Reunion at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, Calif., on May 3, 2026, where he will be presented with a Tiffany & Co. award alongside other MLBPAA alumni from the area.
The Fred Valentine Lifetime Achievement Award, now in its fourth year, recognizes former Major League players who exemplify the same integrity, passion, and dedication to service demonstrated by MLBPAA founding member Fred Valentine. The award honors alumni who have used their platform to uplift others, support meaningful causes and make a lasting impact in their communities. This recognition was thoughtfully created by a specialty Board committee comprised of John Doherty, Clint Hurdle and Mike Myers. The previous Fred Valentine Lifetime Achievement Award Winners are Brooks Robinson (2023), Rene Lachemann (2024) and Kirk Gibson (2025).
“Jerry Manuel was one of the best teammates I ever played with,” Clint Hurdle said on behalf of the MLBPAA Board Committee. “He made everyone he came in contact with better, and he did it as a coach and manager as well. Jerry has left fingerprints on the game and on everyone he has worked with. He is a pro’s pro. No higher accolade. With personal and professional respect, Jerry.”
Manuel continues to inspire and give back through the Jerry Manuel Foundation, a foundation dedicated to grow youth baseball opportunities amongst urban Black youth in Northern California. The foundation combines classroom-based education with on-field instruction, providing academic support alongside baseball development. Through structured programming that includes clinics, camps, leagues and travel teams, it seeks to increase access to the game and strengthen pathways for participation.
Its mission is to combine academic standards with athletic training to re-engage young athletes in baseball and support their growth on and off the field.
The MLBPAA is proud to recognize Manuel’s enduring contributions to the game and his continued service to the baseball community with the Fred Valentine Lifetime Achievement Award.
About the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA)
MLBPAA was founded in 1982 with the mission of promoting baseball, raising money for charity and protecting the dignity of the game through its Alumni players. The MLBPAA is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo., with a membership of more than 15,000, of which approximately 6,950 are MLB alumni and active players. Follow @MLBPAA across all social media platforms for updates.