Former MLB player and current analyst Eric Byrnes was one of the most vocal parties to criticize Manny Machado over the shortstop’s actions during Game 4 of the NLCS on Tuesday night.
Machado dragged his leg while running to first base on a groundout in the bottom of the 10th inning in what clearly was a dirty play. He ended up clipping Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Jesus Aguilar in the leg and was lucky not to have done more damage.
Come on Machado, don't do this. pic.twitter.com/xyx37Zncip
— Pitcher List (@PitcherList) October 17, 2018
Machado’s dirty play came the same day he said that hustling is not his cup of tea. The two items happening within the same day led to a major reputation hit for Machado.
Byrnes, who was known for running hard and hustling during his MLB career from 2000-2010, slammed Machado, calling him “an absolute embarrassment.”
This dude is the biggest piece of I’ve ever seen play the game… He is an absolute embarrassment & represents everything that’s WRONG with baseball. Hopefully future generations can watch & learn how NOT to play the game. pic.twitter.com/UyDhgW3h7d
— Eric Byrnes (@byrnes22) October 17, 2018
Byrnes wasn’t alone in being critical of Machado. Former All-Star pitcher Mark Mulder said the play was why Machado has a poor reputation.
That is exactly why people think what they do about Machado.
— Mark Mulder (@markmulder20) October 17, 2018
Current pitcher Brett Anderson called Machado’s actions “absolutely unnecessary.”
Absolutely unnecessary by Machado
— Brett Anderson (@_BAnderson30_) October 17, 2018
Machado is talented, but his attitude towards hustling and the way he expresses frustrations on the field are less than ideal, to say the least. This sort of behavior may give teams pause when they consider signing him in free agency after the season.
