The Dodgers and Padres didn’t need Sunday night’s Game 2 to add to an already-heated NL West rivalry, but it’s certainly playing out that way.
We already saw as tempers flared when Dodgers fans threw baseballs and other items in the direction of Padres players on Sunday. Yet, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts took exception with one throw in particular from Padres third baseman Manny Machado.
Speaking to reporters, Roberts called out Machado for throwing a baseball at the Dodgers dugout, calling the toss “unsettling” and wondering if Machado intended to hit him specifically with the throw. But by how Roberts described the incident, you would have expected a blatant throw on the line.
That wasn’t what the footage showed, though.
Manny Machado’s throw toward the Dodgers dugout that Dave Roberts described as “unsettling” and “disrespectful” pic.twitter.com/djkGAPNh8p
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) October 8, 2024
Machado did direct a baseball toward the Dodgers dugout, but the throw was on multiple bounces and seemed intended for the ball boy. And sure, it’s common courtesy to throw the warm-up baseballs towards your own dugout, but Machado clearly just bounced the throw. It wasn’t going to hurt anyone, and Roberts didn’t even notice it until Teoscar Hernández started shouting at the Padres third baseman.
The entire controversy had fans so confused after seeing the footage.
This was how Twitter/X reacted
Dude Dave Roberts acted like Machado threw the ball on a line an inch past his head when in reality it bounced like 5 times and he didn’t even notice it was thrown until Teoscar said something 😭😭😭 https://t.co/p5rLknP5vS pic.twitter.com/NPT71rgkbq
— Addison (@YankeeWRLD) October 8, 2024
Imagine going to Petco knowing your skipper made false allegations to try and get Manny Machado suspended because he didn't think his players were good enough to win on their own. @BenAndWoods https://t.co/V5x2vK31VF
— John Tompkins (@jtompkins619) October 8, 2024
There’s no place in baseball for this type of behavior. Someone could have seriously gotten hurt here. I get that it’s playoff baseball but slinging a ball 32 mph towards the other teams dugout is outrageous https://t.co/G2bRJlgFPh
— Heys Chair (@jackbartlewski1) October 8, 2024
I see nothing wrong. Dave was making it sound like Machado threw at him. He clearly said that in hopes of the team rallying together for their coach. I guess it’s something they can try https://t.co/ZbBxmGYxC5
— Camfrey15 (@cameronDwinfrey) October 8, 2024
Thoughts and prayers for Dave Roberts during this incredibly difficult time.
— Bluui (@bluui24) October 8, 2024
Dodgers are being embarrassing right now. Get it together. https://t.co/NTOj03tv1I
— T (@westcoastwashed) October 8, 2024
This has to be the weakest, most pathetic attempt to get an opposing player suspended I’ve ever seen. For context, you could find hundreds of videos of Machado throwing the ball towards the ball boy in every stadium. SD is in Dave Roberts and the Dodgers heads big time. https://t.co/TgKueJ2uvR
— DMercer (@DMercer1972) October 8, 2024
Wowwww that was a rocket to the dugout (he tossed it to the ball boy) lmao I mean look how slow it bounced https://t.co/yzB9nv2snx
— N'rick (@Manlulu32) October 8, 2024
