Although the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres are locked in an intense divisional feud, this didn’t stop Padres third baseman and former Dodger Manny Machado from praising the great Clayton Kershaw after the three-time Cy Young award winner announced his retirement at the end of this season.
Machado played with Kershaw for the back half of the 2018 season and even helped the Dodgers win the pennant that year. He spoke on the unique opportunity of being his teammate, his competitor, and even just watching as a fan.
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“He’s one of the best competitors that this game has ever seen or witnessed,” said Machado. “So we’re losing a legend and he’s leaving on top. It’s awesome to be able to have worn the same uniform as him, play behind him, and see him firsthand how he goes about his business. I think that was pretty cool to watch and witness and to be on the same field as a legend. Those don’t come around too often. Obviously he’s one of the best to ever do it in the game. To see it firsthand, to hit a couple of homers off a legend, is pretty cool as well. What an amazing career he’s had. Like I told him, wishing him nothing but the best moving forward and hopefully our paths cross once again.”
Machado is 10-for-38 against Kershaw with two home runs, as the third baseman noted. Kershaw has struck him out eight times in those 38 at-bats.
In that 2018 postseason the two superstars shared as teammates, Machado was hitting .227/.278/.394 with a .672 OPS.
Machado has blossomed in his role with the Padres as a clubhouse leader, and it appears he has nothing but respect for the Dodgers legend.
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Photo Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
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4 Responses
I THINK KERSHAW IS JUST TIRED OF PLAYING AND BEING ON TOP FOR A LONG TIME AND WE SHALL ALL RESPECT HIS DECISION ON RETIRING THAT HE GAVE US ALL A BIG SHOWING OF WHAT HE IS ALL ABOUT AND THAT IS BEING ONE OF THE BEST IF NOT THE BEST AT HIS POSITION FOR ALOT OF YEARS ,I THINK IT WILL BE GOOD TO THANK HIM FOR ALL THEM GOOD YEARS AND WISH HIM THE BEST FOR WHAT HE DOES AFTER HE RETIRES,GOD BLESS HIM AND FAMILY ALLWAYS.
They definitely should! Get the man a statue!
I think it will be good for him too! As long as he feels like it was the right time, which he said he does, I’m happy for him! What will you miss most about Kersh?
Kershaw is a class act and deserves all the respect from fans and players.