Machado supports Mets hiring Showalter: 'He will be great for that organization'
San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado has nothing but high praise for Buck Showalter and believes the New York Mets picked the right guy to be their next manager.
"I know he will be great for that organization," Machado told The Athletic's Brittany Ghiroli. "What they're getting out of him is a great leader, a great man who is going to go out there and compete his butt off. I'm looking forward to playing against him for the first time."
Showalter managed Machado for seven seasons when the five-time All-Star played for the Baltimore Orioles. The infielder starred on a talented Baltimore club that won a 2014 division title and made the postseason three times under Showalter.
The 29-year-old said the way his former manager held him accountable while also having his back through tough times helped shape him into a star.
"(From) a manager's standpoint, he was awesome, one of the greatest managers I've ever had the pleasure to play with. Obviously, me as a young player, I learned a lot from him," Machado added about Showalter. "It made me the player I am today by learning and observing everything he did, how he handled everything on the baseball field."
Mets owner Steve Cohen announced Showalter as the club's next manager on Saturday. The team expects to officially introduce Showalter on either Monday or Tuesday, according to the New York Post's Mike Puma.
Once official, Showalter becomes New York's fourth manager since Terry Collins retired following the 2017 campaign.