It’s not easy to fool a perennial All-Star player like Manny Machado. The Padres’ third baseman is one of the best defenders in baseball not only because he has a dynamite glove but because he rarely makes unforced errors. To get one past Machado, you must beat him head-on rather than lean on any “tricks.”
That’s a lesson the Rockies’ José Iglesias learned on Saturday afternoon in San Diego (-225). When Iglesias attempted to take third base on a weak grounder, Machado was waiting for him. Rather than take his medicine — because Machado wasn’t going to take himself out of prime position — Iglesias tried to channel his best impression of Derek Zoolander.
In broad Southern California daylight, a hilarious passive-aggressive battle of wills ensued:
Manny ain't falling for that trick 🤣 pic.twitter.com/pEsuoTG5i0
— Cut4 (@Cut4) June 11, 2022
Oh, man. The suspense is fantastic watching that clip. I hope it lasts.
I’m still trying to figure out what Iglesias’s plan was here. Did he really think Machado would follow him, and he’d then be able to dance around him? Was he trying to ask Machado to step aside nicely?
Whatever Iglesias’s thought process was, Machado clearly didn’t take the bait.
