NLCS: Manny Machado Has Been a $300 Million Bargain for San Diego Padres

This is Machado’s fifth postseason, but only his second L.C.S. During his brief stay in Los Angeles in 2018, the Dodgers slipped past Milwaukee but lost to Boston in the World Series. In Los Angeles, he was simply a temp, a midseason trade acquisition who played only three months there.

In San Diego, his mark is everywhere. And he is aiming higher. Not long before David Ortiz was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame this summer, Machado discussed how the Hall of Fame and the World Series are his driving forces — and, perhaps, not in that order.

“You see the names and plaques that go up every year of those people who played, did well, grinded,” he said. “Those are the players we look up to and one day, hopefully, I’ll be sitting on that podium with them. That’s a kid’s dream, winning the World Series, hitting a home run in the World Series. Second is the podium.”

Now he has his chance. Better yet, in his town, with his team.

“Anytime you sign long-term with an organization, you have a vision of bringing a championship, especially to one that’s never won,” he said after Game 3 against the Dodgers.

A night later, it was almost as if the inner drive that fuels him was bubbling over as champagne sprayed from the bottles.

“We’re celebrating tonight being one of the best teams in baseball,” Machado said. “And it feels good. It feels good. It feels really good.”

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/18/sports/baseball/manny-machado-padres-nlcs.html