With tension already high between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres after an emotionally charged Game 2, manager Dave Roberts added onto that with pointed comments about Manny Machado as the National League Division Series shifted to Petco Park.
During media availability before a Dodgers’ workout, Roberts was asked about Machado appearing to throw a baseball toward his direction in the dugout. Jack Flaherty, who exchanged words with Machado during Game 2, was first to reveal the Padres’ star had thrown the ball in the Dodgers’ direction.
Flaherty did not reveal it hit the protective netting right in the spot where Roberts was seated. Roberts hadn’t realized it at the time, but called the sequence “unsettling” and “very bothersome” after reviewing video of it.
After the Dodgers eliminated the Padres in Game 5 of the NLDS, Roberts revealed his comments were made in effort to take pressure off the Dodgers, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic:
“It was. It was,” Roberts acknowledged at the end of the series. “As a manager, you never want to make it about you. But I just felt in that situation, if we could take it off our guys a little bit … Manny and I have a really good relationship. I would take him any day. But I don’t think that diversion was a bad thing for our guys. And they responded by having my back.”
How Roberts and the Dodgers perceived the throw differed greatly from Machado and the Padres.
Particularly manager Mike Shildt, who took strong exception to what Roberts said about the All-Star third baseman and Padres as a whole.
“I come from maybe just a different philosophy of dealing with this. I couldn’t help but have people share them with me so I’m aware of them. Listen, I got into this game to help players get the most out of their God-given ability and to compete on the field and respect the opponent,” Shildt began.
“I’m not nor will I ever disparage another player on another team, especially anybody I’ve managed in the past nor will I do it to a collective team. That’s not how I want to operate. I have a lot of respect for their club, the players on their club. As far as Manny goes, it’s unfortunate people can’t move on from things from the past. I thought Manny’s exhibition of professionalism and leadership were on display the other night in a very tough environment.
“He, nor I, nor anyone would profess to be perfect, but Manny has made some strides that are very impressive both on and off the field. It’s been a privilege to witness that. It’s representative of him being a Roberto Clemente Award [nominee] and I expect him to win it. I get the privilege of seeing him, along with our players, behind the scenes do some really special things for young people, our community.
“But people have their right, clearly, to share what they want and how they want to share it.”
Dave Roberts makes postseason history
Friday was Roberts’ eighth game as Dodgers manager in a winner-take-all scenario. That broke a tie with Bobby Cox (Atlanta Braves) and Joe Torre (New York Yankees) for most winner-take-all games managed with one team in MLB history.
Roberts has guided the Dodgers to a 6-2 record in such games.
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