Manny Machado’s NSFW meltdown in Game 2 proved Dodgers were right not to re-sign him

Manny Machado proved why the Dodgers made the right decision letting him walk.

One could say Manny Machado’s time as a Los Angeles Dodger was a waste. He choked beyond belief in the World Series against the Boston Red Sox and only put the team in a negative light thanks to his antics that featured stepping on the foot/ankle of the opposing first basemen while running down the line.

So, yeah, when the Dodgers let him walk in free agency instead of signing him after acquiring him at the 2018 trade deadline, you couldn’t blame them. After all, it paved the way for LA to sign AJ Pollock and Mookie Betts.

Now, though Machado is a regular foe of the Dodgers after joining the San Diego Padres, it’s clear LA made the right decision not bringing the former All-Star back, and he proved that yet again on Wednesday night with his childish antics.

Mr. Machado hit a home run off Clayton Kershaw in the sixth inning and violently threw his bat as he screamed toward the Padres’ dugout in celebration. It seems to be a one-way street for him because, an inning later, he blurted out multiple expletives at Dodgers reliever Brusdar Graterol, who threw his glove in celebration after Cody Bellinger robbed would-be Fernando Tatis home run that would’ve given the Padres the lead.

Sure, you could argue Graterol’s celebration was a bit much since he nearly blew the game for his team if not for the heroics of Belli, but in these modern times of permitting more emotional expression on the field, a guy like Machado has to understand this goes both ways.

You can’t be nit-picking celebrations, especially after yours came after a home run that made it a 4-2 game. You were still down two runs, buddy.

The Padres, regardless of the situation, have choreographed dances ready to go every time a batter does something of significance. That’s fine and great. But then one of your team leaders is going to blow a gasket over getting hit with the same treatment from the opposition? Nope, that’s not how life works.

Machado’s kind of character is exactly what the Dodgers didn’t need on this near-flawless top-to-bottom roster. He gave LA’s front office another reason to pat themselves on the back for letting someone else spend $300 million on him.

Dodgers: Cody Bellinger robs Fernando Tatis Jr. as Brusdar Graterol celebration sets off Padres

What an end to the top of the seventh inning, baby! Dodgers star Cody Bellinger's insane catch and Brusdar Graterol's celebration set off San Diego.