Steinbrenner: Machado Hustle Comments ‘Troubling’
By Matt McCarthy, 985TheSportsHub.com
Manny Machado brought plenty of attention on himself with his lack of hustle in the postseason.
It sounds like the Yankees were watching.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner expressed concerns over Machado’s postseason antics, saying the organization would need to talk with the star free agent about his recent comments and actions.
But it doesn’t sound like Machado has done anything to truly cool the Yankees interest in him, no matter what the owner is saying to the media.
The Dodgers shortstop made headlines when he clipped Brewers first baseman Jesus Aguilar on a play at first in the NLCS. There were a number of instances, including one against the Red Sox in the World Series, where Machado did not hustle out of the box.
Machado didn’t seem to be bothered by it.
“I’m not going to change,’’ Machado said. “I’m not the type of player that’s going to be ‘Johnny Hustle,’ and run down the line and slide to first base … and you know, whatever can happen. That’s just not my personality. That’s not my cup of tea. That’s not who I am.’’
Steinbrenner, apparently, was not impressed.
“That ain’t going to sell where we play baseball,” Steinbrenner told Nightengale.
The Yankees haven’t publicly stated they are interested in Machado, but were rumored to be a serious trade suitor in July before the Orioles dealt him to Los Angeles.
Despite Steinbrenner’s public comments about Machado, Yankees TV broadcaster Michael Kay reports the Yankees are very much interested in bringing Machado to the Bronx.
.@RealMichaelKay: "The Yankees are IN, in a serious way, on Manny Machado." pic.twitter.com/yn5J9bYDx6
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) November 14, 2018
Additionally, Nightengale reported that the Yankees believe Machado can handle the pressure of playing in New York.
Johnny Hustle might get his $300 million, after all.
You can hear Matt McCarthy on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s own Hardcore Baseball podcast and on various 98.5 The Sports Hub programs. Follow him on Twitter @MattMcCarthy985.