MLB’s best players from the National League and American League met at Dodger Stadium for the 92nd All-Star Game, which brought many cheers as the sport’s brightest stars were announced, but Manny Machado was among those who proved to be the exception.
In the AL, players from the Houston Astros have still received boos from Los Angeles Dodgers fans voicing their displeasure over the 2017 cheating scandal despite none of their All-Stars being part of the 2017 roster. Astros manager Dusty Baker also drew the crowd’s ire.
On the NL, the boos were reserved for players from their historic-rival San Francisco Giants and multiple members of the San Diego Padres.
Some of the loudest boos were given to Machado, who spent half a season with the Dodgers before signing with the Padres. He has developed into somewhat of the villain figure for the lopsided rivalry. “They love me,” Machado said about the boos. “It was great.”
During the game, Machado went 0-for-2 and grounded into a double play, which surely made some Dodgers fans happy. But in the end, the NL went on to lose the game for a ninth consecutive time with a come-from-behind effort from the AL.
Machado not motivated by boos
While some players use the boos as motivation, Machado believes they’re just a normal part of the game and doesn’t let them change his mood much.
“I just go out there and play baseball,” he said. “A lot of greats have gone out there and played the game. It’s a city that’s a rival right up the street, that’s just the beauty of baseball.
“That’s why we love this game and play this game. That’s what you get when you’re on an away team. It’s fun to watch, fun to play, and it’s a great stadium to play at.”
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