Manny Machado’s base running is in question, again. The San Diego Padres slugger put an opposing player, Cardinals second baseman Tommy Edman, in harm’s way during a game on Sunday.
With Edman fielding a grounder, he went for a tag on Machado, who was headed to second. After that, Edman likely would’ve gone for the double play with a throw to first. Thing is, Edman couldn’t make the throw because Machado slid into Edman’s legs — in the middle of the base path. At least, Machado checked on Edman afterward.
Is it illegal, by rules? No. Machado can do what he wants within the lines of the base path to avoid getting tagged. Is it unethical and sketchy? Absolutely. If it were any other player, we might not be talking about the play. With Machado having a long history of dangerous and dirty base running, this is yet another mark against his reputation.
Here's the full Manny Machado slide play for more context pic.twitter.com/8MDtdzqVu3
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) May 17, 2021
Machado’s most infamous incident came when he slid into Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia at second base in April 2017. Machado injured Pedroia’s knee, which caused an injury that seemed to cut short his career.
Many MLB fans were furious after seeing yet another dirty play from Machado.
So can you just slide 20 ft away from the bag now or is Manny Machado still the biggest jerk in the league?
— Cardinals Talk (@theredbird_way) May 17, 2021
What Machado should’ve done is backed up so Edman had to chase him down to tag him and allow the runner to reach first in time. Sliding into him was unnecessary and dangerous.pic.twitter.com/XJg7ZkHhxP
— Quinn (@QuinnSTLCards) May 17, 2021
Cardinals fans 🤝 Brewers fans
Hating Manny Machado
— Zac (Wear A Mask) (@WiscoSportsZac) May 17, 2021
Dustin Pedroia would have made the Hall of Fame had Machado not purposely ruined his knee with a slide into second in 2016.
— Shaun L Kelly (@ShaunLKelly1955) May 17, 2021
Manny Machado not a good person 👎👎👎pic.twitter.com/ezQJFQpjtV
— 🏝⁵⁰ (@sp00kymookie) May 17, 2021
I really don't like Machado.
— Rinedog (@Rinedog1) May 17, 2021
Naturally, some fans were angry that other fans were angry. And we had a full blown controversy.
Such a smart play and LEGAL! https://t.co/WvNCJZzVvv
— Tio AL Loves His Sports #NYCHolyTapWater (@1InfamousTioAL) May 17, 2021
This is what you’re taught to do. It’s not dirty. Everyone calm down. https://t.co/oBGMmyvZcs
— Ty Kelly (@tykelly11) May 17, 2021
That’s actually a smart play. He didn’t allow the double play to happen. Perfect execution! Welp within the rules. You might not like it but it’s PERFECTLY LEGAL. But the infielders don’t like it! https://t.co/SH3fC4ePZc
— 10 (@SimplyAJ10) May 17, 2021
This is why I always prefer the toss to second to start the double play rather than a tag. Clean play my Machado btw. https://t.co/UdU2A3wv4s
— Alexi (@alexi_ojeda) May 17, 2021
I’m here to declare that the play was 1) legal and 2) dirty. That sounds crazy, I know. But hey, there is room for nuance in sports. Machado did something to help his team that put an opposing player in danger, which is wrong from an ethical standpoint. That said, he can safely hide behind the rulebook, which shows he didn’t do anything wrong.
So my conclusion is that baseball should have fewer unwritten rules. They should just write them into their rulebook. This is the kind of play they should just make illegal.
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