During the FOX pregame program, San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt and teammates Jake Cronenworth and Xander Bogaerts heaped praise on third baseman Manny Machado before of their team’s crucial Game 5 NLDS clash against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“I couldn’t ask for a better teammate, better leader – he works harder than anybody I’ve ever played with,” says Cronenworth.
“Manny shows up every day.” A player who will get you 30 home runs and 100 RBIs. And a man who will play Gold Glove defence. “It doesn’t get any more consistent than that,” Bogaerts remarked.
“Watching Manny play defence is one of the things that impresses me the most. “And how easy he makes the difficult look,” Shildt added.
In 2024, the 32-year-old corner infielder had another strong statistical season, hitting.275/.325/.472/.797 and totaling 29 home runs, 105 RBI, and 11 stolen bases.
Manny Machado’s Evolution as a Padres Star
Despite being possibly a year over his peak, Machado has more than fit in with the Padres since joining the organization in 2019. The six-time All-Star serves as the emotional foundation of a talented club. Many media commentators can’t help but bring up his name, despite being far removed from his bad boy actions, which some believe destroyed his career. Eric Hosmer, a former Padres teammate, defended Machado after Ken Rosenthal’s damning article ran in The Athletic.
“I’m sick and tired of all this mess,” Hosmer added. “Because we can’t simply focus on the game and ignore these guys’ careers, the legacy they’re creating, and the legacy they’re carrying on? Let’s get started right there, Manny Machado. What Ken omitted to emphasize is that Manny Machado is on his path to a Hall of Fame career, and may have already established one.
Rosenthal blasted what he saw as typical Machado behaviour.
“Machado indeed showed leadership in the dugout, draping his arm around catcher Kyle Higashioka and imploring his teammates to maintain their focus,” according to Rosenthal. “But Manny’s punkish reaction to Dodgers right-hander Jack Flaherty striking Fernando Tatis Jr. with a 91.7 mph fastball was typical Manny. Again.”
Hosmer went on to discuss Machado’s extensive work behind the scenes.
“Not only does he have 300 career plus home runs, not only does he give you 30 and 100 and play 150 games every year but this guy off the field donates to the Boys & Girls Club of San Diego time and time again,” according to Hosmer.
Game 5 of the NLDS between the Padres and Dodgers will decide the series. The winner will move on to the NLCS, where they will face the New York Mets in Game 1 on Sunday, October 13.
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