Nolan Arenado, a standout third baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals, reflected on his evolving view of Manny Machado, another elite third baseman in Major League Baseball. During an interview on the MLB Network Podcast on Tuesday, Arenado discussed the respect he has developed for Machado, highlighting why he considers him one of the greatest players in their shared position.
Initial Rivalry and Growing Appreciation Between Two Third Basemen
Both Arenado and Manny Machado are often regarded as two of the finest third basemen in recent baseball history, though neither has yet won a World Series. Machado, originally drafted third overall by the Baltimore Orioles in 2010, and Arenado, selected in the second round by the Colorado Rockies in 2009, have been compared frequently throughout their careers. Arenado, speaking with former Athletics All-Star and current MLB analyst Yonder Alonso, admitted that early in his career, he felt a competitive frustration toward Machado due to all the attention Machado was receiving.
“When I first got called up, you know, I heard the hype on Manny Machado, you know, and uh I have, you know, I have the utmost respect for him,” Arenado said [From 11:10]. “When I was younger, you know, I heard about his name so much, like in my mind, I kind of put that I didn’t like him because of how much I heard about him.”
This sentiment changed as Arenado matured, recognizing Machado’s consistent excellence and dedication to the game.
“Because everyone talked about him like, man, I’m tired of people talking about, I want them to talk about me, man,” Arenado added. “Like, I’m going out there, I’m doing it too, you know? But, you know, as I’ve gotten older, I learned to appreciate Manny for how good he is, how consistent he is.”
Elements of Admiration That Stood Out to Arenado
Although Machado debuted a year earlier, in 2012, Arenado has steadily matched his achievements while rising to stardom with the Cardinals. Through their friendly rivalry, Arenado came to deeply respect Machado’s competitive spirit and dedication, seeing parallels with his own drive to perform at a top level every day.
“I feel like when I watch Manny, you know, I appreciate him because he wants to play every day just like I do,” Arenado shared [From 11:39]. “He posts, he wants to win, and he competes his butt off. And that’s something that, like, I feel like—I, don’t know. I don’t know what he feels like, but I feel like I feel something similar.”
Machado’s persistence and passion on the field have clearly made an impression, with Arenado even naming him his favorite third baseman all time, a significant compliment given their shared position and constant comparisons.
Machado’s Recent Milestone Enhances His Standing
Manny Machado recently reached a notable career achievement, securing his 2,000th hit during the Padres’ 6-3 defeat against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday. This milestone places him among elite active players, joining Freddie Freeman, Jose Altuve, Andrew McCutchen, and Paul Goldschmidt in the 2,000-hit club, emphasizing his sustained offensive success alongside his defensive prowess.
The Lasting Impact of Respect Between Two Baseball Stars
The respect Nolan Arenado has cultivated for Manny Machado highlights how competitive dynamics can evolve into mutual admiration, especially among players at the highest level. Their shared dedication, consistency, and passion enrich conversations about baseball’s modern elite third basemen. As both continue their careers with the Cardinals and Padres respectively, fans and analysts alike will watch to see how their legacies further unfold, possibly leading them closer to that elusive Fall Classic championship.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Nolan Arenado the best 3rd baseman ever?
A. “He’ll be remembered as one of the best third basemen ever. He’s a future Hall of Famer,” said DeRo. Nolan Arenado is among only seven MLB players with more than 350 home runs and 10 or more Gold Glove Awards. If Scott Rolen was inducted into the Hall of Fame, then every excellent third baseman should have a chance. Joel Matthew Rolen was more than just above average.
Q. Has Nolan Arenado ever won a world series?
A. He earned three All-Star titles, won two Gold Gloves, and placed third for the NL MVP in 2022. However, his team, the Cardinals, didn’t win any playoff series while he was there. Arenado now has the chance to aim for his first World Series victory before his career concludes.