In an era where loyalty is measured in rings and contracts stretch longer than a baseball game’s rain delay, one $350 million icon from the San Diego Padres just lobbed a curveball straight at MLB tradition. While most players polish their postseason dreams, this superstar lit a bonfire under baseball’s sacred cow—and did it with a smile. Buckle up, purists. It’s not the World Series he’s losing sleep over.
Ask any players in any sport, and they will choose to play for their country over any other club. While playing for a club does bring in big money, playing for the nation gives you pride that nothing else can. In baseball, the two top competitions are the WBC and MLB, and when it comes to these two, Manny Machado picks the WBC over MLB.
In a recent interview with the MLB Network, Machado was asked this question, and his answer might upset some MLB fans. He said, “I would say man, the WBC for sure.” He also gave his reasons for picking it over MLB—and to say the least, they were reasonable.
He says that the WBC is a matter of pride, as you are playing for your nation alongside players from other teams. You play alongside and against some of the best ball players in the world, and that is very much better than the World Series.
But that wasn’t all! He also shared the best WBC game he has ever played in. It was the first WBC game he ever played—the 2017 World Baseball Classic. It was the game where the Dominican Republic took on the USA in Miami. The atmosphere and the fans there were electric, just like in a World Series game. After these comments, many fans will be at their keyboards, ready to troll Machado for choosing his nation over their club.
And if that wasn’t enough to stir the pot, Machado doubled down with nostalgia, citing a WBC game, not a playoff classic, as his career favorite. For a man who’s yet to hoist a World Series trophy, that’s not just bold—it’s baseball blasphemy to some. But hey, maybe patriotism doesn’t pay in rings, just in goosebumps. And clearly, for Machado, that’s the kind of currency that really counts.
Manny Machado is cooking — and so are the Padres
Baseball purists might need a moment, because whatever recipe Machado is using, it’s clearly not from the Dodgers’ cookbook. The Padres, long cast as supporting actors in the NL West drama, are flipping the script with flair. Fernando Tatis Jr. is smashing expectations, but it’s Machado stirring the pot. And suddenly, Los Angeles isn’t the only team dining at the MLB contender’s table.
They have made a fiery start to the season with unexpected dominance. The attack is led by none other than Machado. With Tatis Jr. at his best, the Padres are looking like the team to beat this season. They are currently at a 15-4 win-loss record and are leading the NL West table. They have always been in the shadow of the Dodgers, but now they are breaking free.
The Padres had a brilliant MLB season in 2024 with 93 wins, but could not beat the Dodgers. To further hurt them, the Dodgers went on to win the World Series. The Dodgers have not only kept much of the same team but have made it much stronger. On paper, the Dodgers are the gold standard, but baseball isn’t won on paper. Machado and the Friars aren’t just trying to keep up—they’re actively rewriting the narrative.
If early performances are any indicator, San Diego is far from a fluke. Fernando Tatis Jr. is raking with a .348 average and six home runs, while Manny Machado brings stability and experience. Their chemistry is clicking, and fans are starting to believe this could be the year.
And if belief turns into momentum, the NL West might need a new seating chart. The Dodgers may have the stars, the payroll, and the rings, but the Padres have the flavor right now. Machado isn’t just cooking—he’s serving notice. And if L.A. doesn’t watch out, they might end up doing the dishes come October.
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