SAN DIEGO In a postseason series that has become divisive due to extracurricular activities and Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts’ accusation that Manny Machado threw a baseball at him, San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt stood by his third baseman. Roberts made his statement the day before.
“It’s unfortunate people can’t move on from things from the past,” Shildt said Tuesday at Petco Park before Game 3 of the National League Division Series. “I thought Manny’s exhibition of professionalism and leadership were on display the other night in a very tough environment.”
When Machado tossed a baseball into the home dugout during Sunday’s Game 2 at Dodger Stadium, Dodgers starter Jack Flaherty—who had earlier started an altercation with Machado after striking out the Padres’ franchise infielder in the top of the sixth—started to get into a furious exchange with him. Later, Machado gathered his teammates in the visitor dugout and urged them to stay focused after spectators threw baseballs and other objects near Padres outfielders Jurickson Profar and Fernando Tatis Jr., causing a 10-minute delay.
The Padres went on to a 10-2 win that evened the series.
“He nor I nor anyone would profess to be perfect, but Manny has made some strides that are very impressive both on and off the field. It’s been a privilege to witness that,” Shildt said. “It’s representative of him being a Roberto Clemente Award (nominee), and I expect him to win it. I get the privilege of seeing him, along with our players, behind the scenes do some really special things for young people, our community.”
Following Sunday’s contest, multiple Dodgers personnel informed The Athletic that they thought Machado’s pitch towards the home dugout was intended more as a warning than an injury. Meanwhile, a reporter told Machado that his throw had angered the Dodgers. “Did Flaherty hit our guy with a hard ball?” Machado mentioned Flaherty’s strikeout of Tatis to start the sixth inning.
Later, the Dodgers forwarded Major League Baseball a video of Machado’s toss for evaluation. Tuesday, a league source said disciplinary action was not likely.
Shildt said he did not believe that Machado meant to throw at Roberts.
Mike Shildt was asked his thoughts on Dave Roberts' comments about Manny Machado: pic.twitter.com/rIBYfBdWSQ
— 97.3 The Fan (@973TheFanSD) October 8, 2024
“I don’t think there was any intent at all with that. Manny has exceptional arm talent. I think he proved that on the triple play,” Shildt said, alluding to the triple play Machado, a two-time Gold Glove Award winner, started Sept. 24 at Dodger Stadium to clinch the Padres’ postseason berth.
Shildt also responded to Roberts’ assertion from the previous day that the Padres “like the villain-type kind of role and they feed off of that.”
“‘Privilege’ keeps coming up in my head,” Shildt said. “I’ve been doing this for 30-plus years. … I don’t have to defend this team. The team does not need my defense, nor do our players need to defend themselves. Again, very tough environment the other evening. I thought they handled themselves exceptionally well.
“I love the joy that our club brings. I love the enthusiasm they bring. I love the freedom they play with.”
Speaking later Tuesday, Roberts declined to comment when asked about Shildt’s reaction.
Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill, for his part, expressed a desire to move past the commotion from the weekend.
“Manny has been a really good leader,” Merrill said. “He’s done a really good job keeping us focused on that one thing. I don’t think any of us think of (him) any different way besides being a leader. He’s always been there, he’s always doing the best he can, working hard to stay in the good shape he’s in. But I think we’re all past that. We’re ready to move on and play baseball today.”
Before Tuesday’s game, Padres CEO Erik Greupner reminded supporters of the team’s zero-tolerance policy against negative behavior and abusive remarks in an email to season ticket holders and on social media.
(Photo of Manny Machado: Orlando Ramirez / Getty Images)
