SAN DIEGO — A day after Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he thought that Manny Machado threw a baseball at him and described the move as “unsettling” and “pretty disrespectful,” San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt strongly defended his third baseman in a playoff series that has turned contentious amid extracurricular activity and Roberts’ allegation.
“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.”
During Sunday’s Game 2 at Dodger Stadium, Machado threw a baseball toward the home dugout, sparking another heated back-and-forth with Dodgers starter Jack Flaherty, who had initiated a yelling match with Machado after striking out the Padres’ franchise infielder in the top of the sixth. Later, when fans in the stands caused a 10-minute delay by throwing baseballs and debris in the vicinity of Padres outfielders Jurickson Profar and Fernando Tatis Jr., Machado gathered his teammates in the visiting dugout and exhorted them to remain focused.
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.”
After Sunday’s game, several Dodgers people told The Athletic that they believed Machado had been trying to send a message — not cause injury — with his throw toward the home dugout. Machado, meanwhile, was informed by a reporter that the Dodgers were upset by his throw. “Did Flaherty throw the ball hard at our guy?” Machado said, referring to Flaherty’s plunking of Tatis to lead off the top of the sixth.
The Dodgers later sent a video that captured Machado’s throw to Major League Baseball for review. Tuesday, a league source said disciplinary action was not expected.
Shildt said he did not believe that Machado meant to throw at Roberts.
Here is video of Manny Machado throwing the ball toward the #Dodgers dugout. The ball had just been used by Yu Darvish to warm up. Kyle Higashioka’s throw to second bounced in the dirt, so Darvish received a new ball to begin the inning. #Padres pic.twitter.com/Wkf1L4Pff5
— Annie Heilbrunn (@annieheilbrunn) 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.”
In a statement emailed to season ticket holders and posted on social media ahead of Tuesday’s game, Padres CEO Erik Greupner reminded fans of the team’s zero-tolerance policy against abusive speech and bad behavior.
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(Photo of Manny Machado: Orlando Ramirez / Getty Images)
