Is Manny Machado missing Buck Showalter in his life?

As Manny Machado has been displaying outward issues of malicious behavior on the field, loafing, and poor conduct in the media, the question of the influence of his former Orioles manager has to come to question.

Manny Machado has been a lightning bolt for controversy over the last two weeks, and he just doesn’t seem to understand how badly he’s coming off. While he may not be costing himself any money in contract, in going to a big market as a big-money player, Machado could be costing himself tremendous money as a possible advertising representative, and that’s where losing a former manager could be vital for him right now.

Manny Machado was baseball royalty from a very young age. He was viewed as “the next Alex Rodriguez” from the time he was 14-15 years old, even meeting with A-Rod in Miami as he was growing up. Machado ended up the 3rd overall selection in the 2010 draft. Two years later, he was up in the major leagues, making his major league debut at just 20 years old.

While there were little things with umpires in his first two years, this incident with fellow 2018/2019 big-name free agent Josh Donaldson in 2014 became a big issue, primarily put on Machado’s shoulders for overreacting:

Two days later, Machado was pitched inside (not hit, but thrown inside) by the Oakland A’s, and he threw his bat in reaction before glaring out at the pitcher. That led to a 5-game suspension.

While much of that behavior could be written off as “being young”, certainly someone got to Machado during his suspension, as he came out with an apology and really has been “clean” in his behavior with the Baltimore Orioles since that big incident. He had an incident in 2016 fighting with Kansas City Royals starter Yordano Ventura, but in that situation, there was more viable blame on both sides.

Few in the game of baseball have the reverence in the game or the veracity in the dugout with his players that Buck Showalter has as a manager. He’s the guy who will defend his player, when deserved, until the end, but he’s also a guy who has no issue raising cane with a player in the dugout if behavior merits it. His influence was obvious on Manny’s lack of appearances in the behavioral spotlight coming into 2018.

Then came the trade this summer to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Machado was placed into a major media market, and he was also removed from his long-time manager. During the regular season, the shell began to crack as Machado began to dictate his free agent desires in the media, stating he’d like to play shortstop, then remarking that he’d play third base for the right team(s). Those were comments that didn’t hit the newswire in Baltimore. That was just a primer for the offseason, however.

Machado’s significant ego was noted in his response to multiple booted balls in the National League Division Series, when he responded to the errors by attempting to divert the on-field interviewer to his performance at the plate (Machado hit .176/.222/.588 in the series).

The NLCS against the Milwaukee Brewers has brought out some of the on-field behavior and off-field comments that could really damage Machado’s marketability, in spite of being a generally good-looking guy that should be a prime advertising spokesperson.

There were multiple cases of Machado not running out a batted ball. He was noted by national broadcasters as well as Dodgers beat reporters for his lack of hustle on groundouts, one of which he may have had a chance to beat out if he had gone full effort. He then gave multiple interviews about his effort, indicating that he would give effort when he felt it necessary, not when others deemed he should.

In game 3, twice Machado slid into second base to break up a double play with an arm upraised to interfere with a Brewers infielder. He had been cited in 2017 for a similar incident with Dustin Pedroia that left Pedroia injured.

Game 4 of the NLCS was the peak, however. In the 5th inning, Manny Machado didn’t get a timeout called, and then responded when it wasn’t granted and he struck out by blaming the umpire and immediately jumping into his face.

In the same game, Machado was actually hustling down the line on a groundout, and he kicked at the ankle of Brewers first baseman Jesus Aguilar. Many around the league were immediately calling it a dirty play.

Buck Showalter is now out as the Orioles manager, and perhaps Manny Machado would be wise to pay his way to accompany him throughout the World Series and the next few weeks. Otherwise, what will likely still be a very lucrative contract could turn into the only revenue source Manny is able to count on going forward.