SAN DIEGO (AP) — San Diego Padres’ star Manny Machado reached a major career milestone on Monday night, recording his 2,000th career hit with a sharp single off the glove of diving shortstop Geraldo Perdomo against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The hit came in the fourth inning against starter Zac Gallen, and was met with a standing ovation from the Petco Park crowd, where Machado has been a fan favorite since joining the Padres in 2019.
The Milestone Hit and Reaction
Machado’s 2,000th hit was a standout moment in what turned out to be a bittersweet night, as the Padres fell to the Diamondbacks 6-3. “Doing it in front of the home crowd definitely is a lot better, and hopefully there’s more,” Machado said following the game.
Earlier in the game, Machado singled to left field for his 1,999th hit and later hit a solo home run off Kyle Backhus in the eighth inning, marking his 15th homer of the season and his 357th career home run.
Machado Joins Elite Company
With his 2,000th hit, Machado became the fifth active player and the 297th player in MLB history to reach this milestone. Notably, he is just the 12th player in history to have both 350 home runs and 2,000 hits by his age-32 season, joining an elite list of baseball legends.
“It’s special and an honor to be a part of that list,” Machado said. “Definitely would have wanted the victory, but stepping away from that, it’s pretty cool.”
A Humble Moment for the Padres Star
As Machado stood on first base, he tipped his batting helmet to the cheering crowd, acknowledging their support. Padres manager Mike Shildt expressed his pride in Machado’s achievement, saying, “Wow, literally hats off. What an accomplishment. We’re happy for it. He earned it.”
Machado’s Journey to 2,000 Hits
Machado made his MLB debut with the Baltimore Orioles in 2012, collecting 977 hits during his time there before being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2018.
He amassed 73 hits with the Dodgers before signing with the Padres in February 2019. Since then, Machado has contributed 950 hits with San Diego, ranking fifth on the franchise’s all-time list. Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn holds the franchise record with 3,141 career hits over his 20-season career.
All-Star and Franchise Icon
In addition to his career milestone, Machado was voted the starting third baseman for the National League All-Star team this year, further solidifying his place as one of the league’s premier players.
Manny Machado’s 2,000th career hit is a significant moment in his illustrious career, showcasing not only his remarkable consistency but his place among baseball’s elite. While the Padres may have lost the game, Machado’s achievement will certainly be remembered as a milestone in both his career and the franchise’s history.
