Manny Machado was the last line of defense for the Dodgers on Sunday night, the final hope for the home team in its desperate quest to extend the World Series another day and avoid allowing an opponent to celebrate a championship on its turf. He was acquired for moments like those, when the Dodgers needed a spark from his otherworldly talent. He did not provide one. Machado struck out on a slider from Chris Sale at his feet. His defensive swing left him on one knee. It was likely the impending free agent’s final act as a Dodger.
If Machado’s Dodgers career ended Sunday night, it ended quietly. He did not partake in any villainous acts in Game 5 of the World Series. He did not incite any controversy. There also wasn’t any production. Machado went 0 for 4 with three strikeouts in the Dodgers’ 5-1 season-ending loss to the Boston Red Sox.
The Dodgers’ marquee midseason acquisition, added during the All-Star break to replace the injured Corey Seager at shortstop, did not meet the expectations he set with a marvelous All-Star first half as a member of the Baltimore Orioles. After batting .315 with 24 home runs and a .965 on-base-plus-slugging percentage in his first 96 games as a full-time shortstop in Baltimore, Machado hit .273 with 13 home runs and an .825 OPS in 66 games in Los Angeles to close out the regular season. The numbers plunged further during an eventful postseason, when he batted .227 with 18 strikeouts, four walks and three home runs in 71 playoff plate appearances.
“Manny is a super talent, I think we all know that,” said Dodgers second baseman Chase Utley, whose career ended Sunday. “And, getting to know him, you realize he’s a good baseball player and he knows what he’s doing on the baseball field. I think everyone enjoyed being around him. He made us a better team when he came over here and I imagine he’s going to have a lot of options this winter.”
But Machado’s play was veiled by his behavior during the National League Championship Series and his long history with the Red Sox. It started when he didn’t run out a groundball in Game 2 against the Milwaukee Brewers. In a television interview aired a few days later, Machado said, “there’s no excuse for it.” But he also added, “I’m not a player that’s going to be ‘Johnny Hustle.’ … That’s just not my personality. That’s not my cup of tea. That’s not who I am.”
In Game 3, his hard slide into second base to break up a double play was ruled illegal. In Game 4, he stepped on Brewers first baseman Jesus Aguilar’s foot running through first base. The incident cleared the benches. Brewers players called Machado dirty. Machado was fined $10,000.
Machado did not hide from the resulting scorn. When Brewers fans relentlessly booed him at Miller Park in Games 6 and 7 of the NLCS, Machado encouraged the jeers and signaled for more. Boos welcomed him at Fenway Park for Games 1 and 2 of the World Series from fans who hadn’t forgiven Machado for taking out beloved second baseman Dustin Pedroia with a slide last season. His role as the antihero was solidified and he embraced it, down to his wardrobe — Machado left the clubhouse after Game 4 with a Dodger blue snapback reading “vilLAins.”
“I mean, there’s nothing to say,” Machado said when asked if he had a message for those who’ve questioned his on-field behavior. “Everyone’s going to have their own opinions on everything. The only thing that matters is these 25 guys in here.”
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Dodgers’ Manny Machado strikes out as Red Sox catcher Christian Vazquez charges to the mound to celebrate winning the 2018 Word Series. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and coach Bob Geren pack up as the Red Sox celebrate winning the 2018 Word Series. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Red Sox starting pitcher David Price joins starter-turned-reliever Chris Sale and catcher Christian Vazquez in celebrating a 5-1 win over the Dodgers to clinch the World Series title. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
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Dodger players can only watch in the ninth inning as the Red Sox go on to win the championship in Game 5. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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The Red Sox celebrate winning the 2018 Word Series at Dodger Stadium. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Red Sox players celebrate beating the Dodgers 5-1 and winning game five and the World Series. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
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The Red Sox celebrate the championship after defeating the dodgers in Game 5 of the World Series. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Red Sox catcher Christian Vazquez and starter-turned-closer Chris Sale celebrate winning the World Series after the final out of Game 5 at Dodger Stadium. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Red Sox pitcher Rick Porcello, left, and catcher Christian Vaszuez hug after winning the championship. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig looks on from the bench as the Red Sox carry a 5-1 lead late in Game 5. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Dodgers players look on from the bench as the Red Sox carry a 5-1 lead late in game five. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Dodgers Clayton Kershaw enters the dugout after pitching seven innings. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Clayton Kershaw rests in the dugout after giving up three home runs over seven innings in Game 5 of the 2018 World Series against Boston. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Red Sox first baseman Steve Pearce celebrates his second home run of the game against the Dodgers during the eighth inning. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Dodgers relief pitcher Pedro Baez puts his gloves on his head after giving up a solo homer to Red Sox first baseman Steve Pearce in the eighth inning. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
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Red Sox starting pitcher David Price reacts after getting Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig to ground out in the seventh inning. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Clayton Kershaw gets a pat from manager Dave Roberts after giving up four runs and seven hits in Game 5 of the 2018 World Series. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Red Sox right fielder J.D. Martinez, left, is congratulated by teammate Xander Bogaerts after hitting a home run in the seventh inning. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
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Dodgers center fielder Enrique Hernandez can’t reach a J.D.Martinez homer in the seventh inning. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Dodger pitcher Clayton Kershaw surrenders a sixth inning solo homer to Mookie Betts. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw reacts after a solo home run by Red Sox center fielder Mookie Betts during the sixth inning. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw surrenders a home run to Red Sox right fielder J.D. Martinez. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Red Sox center fielder Mookie Betts connects for a solo home run off Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw during the sixth inning. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw watches as Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts hits a solo homer in the sixth inning. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
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Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes looks away as Red Sox center fielder Mookie Betts celebrates after crossing home plate during his home-run trot in the sixth inning. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
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Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw is tagged out by Red Sox pitcher David Price at 1st base to end the 5th inning. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig drops his bat and helmet in the infield after flying out to end the fourth inning. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
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From left, Matt Damon, Jimmy Kimmel and Ben Affleck watch Game 5 at Dodger Stadium. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Dodgers David Freese slides into third with a third inning triple as Red Sox’s Rafael Devers makes a late tag. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Dodgers David Freese rounds second base on a third inning triple. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Red Sox pitcher David Price reacts after giving up a solo home run to Dodgers David Freese in the 1st inning. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Dodgers David Freese celebrates his solo home run as Red Sox catcher Christian Vazquez looks away in the first inning. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
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Red Sox starting pitcher David Price grimaces as Dodgers first baseman David Freese hits a solo homer in the first inning. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
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Dodgers first baseman David Freese reacts after hitting a solo homer in the first inning. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
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Dodgers David Freese homers in the first inning in game five. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw warms up in the outfield before facing the Red Sox in Game 5 of the World Series. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Dodgers Manny Machado reacts after striking out in the first inning. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Red Sox Steve Pearce, center, celebrates his two-run home run aganinst the Dodgers in the 1st inning. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Ddogers Manny Machado complains to home plate umpire Jeff Nelson afgter striking out against the Red Sox in the 1st inning. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Dodger pitcher Clayton Kershaw follows the flight of the ball on Steve Pearce’s first inning two run homer. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw wipes his face as he leaves the mound after giving up a two-run home run to Red Sox’s Steve Pearce in the first inning. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
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Fomer Dodger pitcher Orel Hersheiser waves to the crowd before the first pitch in Game 5. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Dodgers manager Dave Roberts chats with reporters in the dugout hours before game five. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw warms up in the outfield as the Budweiser Clydesdales pass by before the start of Game 5 at Dodger Stadium. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Clydesdale horses trot along the warning track before the start of Game 5. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
There’s a good chance those 25 guys won’t be Machado’s teammates next season. Machado will join Bryce Harper as the top two free agents on the market. He will solicit intense interest from various clubs and is expected to land one of the most expensive contracts in baseball history. Meanwhile, Seager is expected to return from elbow ligament replacement and hip surgeries next season as the Dodgers’ shortstop, and Justin Turner has third base locked down.
That was known all along. Machado was acquired for the playoff push, to bolster the Dodgers’ chances of securing their first championship in 30 years. They fell three wins short. They’ll try again next year likely without him.
“I mean, I could not be more thankful,” Machado said. “What a great organization. What a great group of guys. I couldn’t imagine any better picture coming over here. Obviously, getting traded halfway through the year is always tough. New faces, new teammates, guys you played against but don’t know on a personal level. ... Every teammate in here has been beyond amazing and I am very, truly grateful to be a part of this and to be a part of what went on this year.”
jorge.castillo@latimes.com
Twitter: @jorgecastillo
