Manny Machado has been making headlines more for his controversial antics than his performance with the Padres these days. Machado is a Padres star, but he’s always involved in something, either with a player or a fan. Now, he is back in the spotlight, this time for flashing his middle finger at a fan who had asked for a ball.
The incident occurred during a game against the Cincinnati Reds, where the Padres lost 8-1 on Friday. In the now-viral video, Machado appears to fake a throw to a fan before flashing his middle finger. The Padres have yet to comment, and Machado himself has remained silent following the incident.
Watch the video here:
Safe to say Manny Machado was not giving a ball to this Dodgers fan
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) June 28, 2025
(via skyy.herrera / TT) pic.twitter.com/hYUSEVERVi
To make matters worse, the Padres had little to celebrate that night. Despite a near no-hitter from Nick Martinez that had fans on the edge of their seats, the performance was entirely overshadowed by Machado’s antics.
Fans Rip Manny Machado For His Latest On-Field Antics
As soon as the video went viral, fan reactions started flooding in, and it’s safe to say most of them slammed the Padres slugger.
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“In case anyone wondered why he is disliked so much…,” one fan reacted.
In case anyone wondered why he is disliked so much…
— G2Tradez (@G2Tradez) June 28, 2025
“So a fan gets banned for life for saying something to a player but this is cool?” another fan questioned.
So a fan gets banned for life for saying something to a player but this is cool?
— Seattle Sports Fan GZ (@SeattleFanGZ) June 28, 2025
“That’s why nobody likes Manny,” one X user commented.
That’s why nobody likes Manny.
— colleen (@waysandmeans71) June 28, 2025
“Nobody likes Manny Machado. Dirtiest player in the league,” another X user replied.
Nobody likes Manny Machado.
— Equality 7-2521 (@Equality7d2521) June 28, 2025
Dirtiest player in the league.
“He’s more unlikeable and insufferable every day,” one baseball fan wrote.
He's more unlikeable and insufferable every day
— Matt #WxmAFC 🇺🇸 🏴 (@MattG824824) June 28, 2025
“Is it any wonder why they always lose?” another X user trolled.
Is it any wonder why they always lose? 😂
— Casey (@Beachgurl1401) June 28, 2025
“Hard to believe this guy is 32 years old, he’s always acting like a cocky high schooler,” one fan pointed.
Hard to believe this guy is 32 years old, he's always acting like a cocky high schooler.
— Jake Paas (@JakePaas7) June 28, 2025
“Douche,” another fan wrote.
Douche
— Anthony (@kuzanthony) June 29, 2025
While Manny Machado faced major backlash for his middle finger gesture, he also reminded fans of why the veteran is still one of the league’s sharpest players. During the Padres’ 6-4 win over the Reds on Saturday, Machado made a brilliant heads-up play. In the fifth inning, with Elly De La Cruz on first and no outs, Machado let a routine pop-up drop on purpose.
However, it wasn’t a mistake but a smart move. De La Cruz hesitated, thinking Machado would catch it. Instead, the Padres’ slugger picked up the ball and quickly threw to second, catching De La Cruz off guard for the force out. Previously, Machado sent a warning to the LA team after they intentionally hit Fernando Tatis Jr. The series between the Padres and Reds will conclude on Sunday.
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