This season, the rivalry between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres has been highly charged whenever the two teams meet on the field. Manny Machado, a key figure in these intense matchups, has also shared moments of respect for Dodgers legends like Clayton Kershaw and Freddie Freeman, highlighting the complex dynamic amid competition. Despite opposing the Dodgers as a competitor, Machado’s recognition came during the 2025 All-Star Game, where he played alongside Dodgers stars and others representing the National League.
Machado appeared with teammates from the Padres as well as Shohei Ohtani, Kershaw, Freeman, Will Smith, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the 2025 All-Star Game, symbolizing a rare union beyond team rivalries. When Kershaw and Freeman left the field at Truist Park, the crowd offered warm applause, which Machado acknowledged as a tribute to their impact on baseball.
You’re talking about legends of the game. I think the game is above competition,
Machado said. Look at these guys, what they’ve done, 3,000 Ks. You had two future Hall-of-Famers right there coming off that field.
Especially Freddie. This was his home for a very long time. I thought it was pretty cool.
—Manny Machado, Third Baseman, San Diego Padres
Machado’s Brief Time as a Dodger and Major Contract Shift
Machado briefly played on the Dodgers roster after being traded from the Baltimore Orioles midway through the 2018 season. After the Dodgers fell to the Boston Red Sox in the World Series that year, Machado opted for free agency, subsequently signing a landmark 10-year, $300 million deal with the Padres. This contract was then the largest free-agent agreement in American sports history until Bryce Harper’s 13-year, $330 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies superseded it shortly after.
Padres’ Determination to Surpass Dodgers This Season
Manny Machado has openly expressed his goal of overcoming the Dodgers following their defeat in the 2024 National League Division Series. So far in the 2025 season, the Dodgers have won five out of seven contests against the Padres, though San Diego captured the season series the previous year. Machado has praised how tough competition remains in the NL West, calling the Dodgers and Padres part of a “four-headed monster” within the division, reflecting a highly competitive environment.
The ongoing rivalry between the Dodgers and Padres is central to the NL West’s excitement, with Machado standing as a pivotal figure both in contest and camaraderie. His acknowledgment of Dodgers legends Kershaw and Freeman shows a respect for the history and players of Major League Baseball, even amid fierce rivalry. Moving forward, the Padres aim to challenge the Dodgers consistently as the season progresses, promising more intense matchups ahead.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did Manny Machado ever win a World Series?
A. Manny Machado is among only five current players with 350 career home runs. Susan Elizabeth notes he has fully matured as a player. Although he has developed over the past 15 years, he still hasn’t secured a World Series win.
Q. What surgery did Manny Machado have?
A. San Diego Padres announced that third baseman Manny Machado underwent surgery on his right elbow tendon in Los Angeles on Tuesday. His recovery will take about four to six months.
Q. Did Manny Machado win a World Series?
A. Manny Machado has never been part of a team that won a championship during his career.
Q. Will Manny Machado be a Hall of Famer?
A. Manny Machado is set to be the next player going into the MLB Hall of Fame representing the San Diego Padres.