Morning sports update: New York had a polarized reaction to Manny Machado meeting with the Yankees
"I really do not remember the Yankees pursuing a free agent that really has the fanbase split over whether they want him or not."
The Celtics fell at home to the Suns on Wednesday night, 111-103. The Bruins host the Ducks at 7 p.m. tonight.
The Patriots, meanwhile, prepare for a home game against the Bills on Sunday (1 p.m.) of vital importance.
New York’s reaction to Manny Machado: The Yankees met with free agent infielder Manny Machado on Wednesday, and coverage of it again highlighted how the perception around him has been mixed. On paper, Machado is a 26-year-old power-hitting superstar, and exactly the type of player New York fans would love to see put in pinstripes.
Yet comments made by Machado in an October interview with The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal have helped to paint a more complicated picture. Discussing his personality, Machado acknowledged that he doesn’t run hard all of the time.
“Obviously I’m not going to change. I’m not the type of player that’s going to be ‘Johnny Hustle’ and run down the line and slide to first base,” Machado told Rosenthal. “That’s just not my personality, that’s not my cup of tea, that’s not who I am.”
The admission that he doesn’t always hustle has irked some fans, and New York media has reflected this in the coverage of the Yankees’ pursuit of the high-priced free agent.
“I’ve been doing this for a long time,” said ESPN New York radio host Don La Greca. “I really do not remember the Yankees pursuing a free agent that really has the fanbase split over whether they want him or not.”
Reaction to Manny Machado’s highly anticipated Yankee Stadium visit. pic.twitter.com/xH5ZCsCiQ5
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) December 19, 2018
New York met with Machado on Wednesday at Yankee Stadium. The discussion lasted 90 minutes, which itself became the subject of a joke by local sports network SNY:
Manny Machado’s meeting with the Yankees lasted 90 minutes, which is roughly how long it takes him to run from home to first. https://t.co/jJfK23RkKs pic.twitter.com/eFFt96fhzT
— SNY (@SNYtv) December 19, 2018
Still, Machado would bring a powerful bat to the Yankee lineup, and fans could easily be won over by his production at the plate. New York is in the hunt for Machado, along with the White Sox and Phillies.
Yankees contingent dined with Manny Machado, his wife and agent tonight in Manhattan. Yanks are interested and in the game, along with Chisox and Phillies. Tour was believed to be those 3 teams, no mysteries.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 20, 2018
Both the New York Post and New York Daily News covered the Machado meeting with characteristic headlines:
Here’s our @nydnsports back page. #MannyMachado @yankees @mlb @mlbnetwork @phillies @APSE_sportmedia https://t.co/cxpHg2odQ6 pic.twitter.com/7TEorjp8yd
— Back Page Guy NYDN (@BackPageGuyNYDN) December 20, 2018
The back page: Why the #Yankees are wooing Manny Machado https://t.co/bND6dTEAhA pic.twitter.com/M4jQqwYKQ6
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) December 20, 2018
More from Boston.com:
- Patriots receiver Josh Gordon is stepping away from football
- Here are the ski areas Boston.com voters chose as New England’s best
- Here’s how the Red Sox are planning to improve Fenway Park’s bleachers
- ‘When we try, we’re in the game all the time. And then when we don’t, we’re clearly not.’
- Aron Baynes is out indefinitely after breaking his hand against the Suns
- One of baseball’s better hitters against the Red Sox is headed to Houston
- Netflix to develop a movie about Pete Frates’s life
- Do you believe Tom Brady is playing through a significant injury?
- Sony Michel recalls what he was thinking the night he got drafted
Boston College signs 16 three-star recruits
: While it won’t top any of the national recruiting rankings, Boston College football signed 16 three-star recruits to join its newest class. It’s the Eagles’ highest rated class since 2003. [The Boston Globe]
The Patriots are healthy in December: Despite on-the-field struggles in recent weeks, the Patriots are a healthy roster heading into the final two regular season games. With all of the speculation about their continuing status among the NFL’s elite, New England is quietly well positioned regarding their roster. [Pro Football Talk]
Stephen A. Smith was not thrilled about Tom Brady being named to the Pro Bowl:
Daily highlight: Kyrie Irving doing Kyrie Irving things.
https://twitter.com/celtics/status/1075570544089526272
