Manny Machado Is a Changed Man in San Diego

Manuel Arturo Machado is a baseball player that has changed his game and has sacrificed every play for his team. From being one of the most hated players in today's era due to questionable history, Machado has changed his ways by becoming a different icon for the better.

The Machado slander seems to never end from the haters. From "lack of hustle" to "being a dirty player that purposely injures others," Manny cannot catch a break. I am here to tell you that Machado has become a genuine teammate and person ever since putting on the brown and gold.

When the San Diego Padres gave Machado his wish in a 10-year, $300 million contract, Machado wanted to give back to the team by giving it his all every game, every season. The Padres hold the best percentage when shifting on opposing batters keeping their averages around 17 percent. That's incredible whether you support the shift or not. For Machado, we see him everywhere and not just at the hot corner. It seems that the Padres get more than what they anticipated with his stellar defense. Flashback to last year with his incredible play against the Texas Rangers in right field! As for this season, man oh man oh MANNY! (Don Orsillo is the G.O.A.T.) The shift has made Machado have an expanded range in the second base, right field area as well as the left side of the infield. Phenomenal plays were made from Machado as of late and that is no surprise, but he has also become a leader for this team who became contenders in the blink of an eye.

Haters will never admit it and the media will never show it. Manny Machado has become a very good baseball player on the field and off of it. There are clips of him waving back to young kids while he is on the on deck circle. There are multiple instances where he has given away his bat and both of his batting gloves to kids as well. Keep in mind you would have to dig for these clips which is the sad part since Machado has become so respected in San Diego and we as fans are tired of hearing the same old Machado that was in the past. Let's be honest for a second, going back to when Machado was with the Dodgers, we could not stand him and that is fine. We cannot stand the D*dgers to begin with! He was still known to be a somewhat dirty player that just was always being booed.

But now, Machado has become one of the nicest and intelligent ballplayers in the league. Joe "JOE-NO" Musgrove said it best recently in an interview involving the Padres recent sweep on the Dodgers. (First time since 2013) "I think we're starting to show them you're not going to walk all over us this year and we're going to fight. We've got the pieces to do it, and now it's just going out and doing it." Credit to Kevin Ace for that great quote. Showing much of that fight was Machado. Attempts diving out in right field to make outs, flashing the leather and throwing the missiles he throws that makes it look so smooth and easy, he gives it his all.

So as a final message to Manny, keep doing what you are doing and prove the haters wrong! He has taken all of his frustration out on the Dodgers since becoming a Padre since he owns Kershaw and Bauer at this point. (Machado is .565/.630/1.304 against Bauer lifetime) By playing in each and every game the way he does,

just keep on showing what you got as the best third baseman that makes it look like I can make that play when clearly I cannot! So flash the leather and keep on swinging the twig! San Diego loves watching you play with such an exciting team and atmosphere! We will have your back every step of the way.