Manny Machado – the star of the San Diego Padres – had the opportunity to play with Clayton Kershaw in Los Angeles in the summer of 2018, when he was traded to the Dodgers at the mid-season transfer deadline.
At a press conference held on July 14 in Atlanta ahead of the All-Star Game, Machado unexpectedly gave special praise to his senior:
“He’s the best. It was an honor to play behind him, to see him pitch. He’s a real competitor, a real warrior. He’s definitely going to be a Hall of Famer. At his age and still maintaining that form? It’s amazing.”
Machado – who had an OPS of .825 in 66 games for the Dodgers – still couldn’t hide his great respect for Kershaw.
Even this former rival and short-term teammate boldly acknowledged the Dodgers legend’s talent and unshakable fighting spirit.
The camaraderie, even between “enemies” on the other side of the field, is a testament to the work’s mutual respect – not for talent, but for humanity.
At a time when Kershaw has just joined the “3,000 strikeout club” – a rare milestone in MLB history, Machado’s tribute is all the more meaningful.
In the fiercely competitive world of baseball, Machado’s sincere respect for Kershaw is not only a beautiful story but also an inspiration for everyone – reminding us that: Even on two sides of the battle, baseball still connects players with knowledge, experience and true admiration.