Mark Viviano: On Orioles' Machado
I sat down with Orioles third baseman Manny Machado to hear from him how he's handling his second straight spring training coming off a season that ended early due to knee surgery. He tells me he has no hesitation about his health and ability and he's "diving right in."
When healthy Machado's already shown at a young age (22) that he may be the best fielder at his position in the Major Leagues. He's a Gold Glover and an All-Star and some of the early success for someone so young has also revealed how he still has some growing up to do- evident in a couple of on-field tirades that led to his getting suspended last season.
I asked Machado if it seems like so much success may have come too quickly. He says it has, adding " it comes fast but you can't think about it. You have to stay in the moment and stay on the right path and surround yourself with the right people, stay mentally strong and that's what I've done". Machado got married during this past off-season and says he's aware of his maturation process as a person and a player, saying "it's been awesome, it's been a great journey and I'm excited for the season and everything that's coming my way."
During batting practice prior to a spring training game, I witnessed a jovial exchange of jokes and laughter among Machado, Jonathan Schoop and veteran shortstop J.J. Hardy. The infield trio were the picture of young men playing a boys' game and enjoying the camaraderie of being close teammates preparing for a long season. About that aspect of this Orioles team, Machado told me "it makes it allot easier knowing that everyone gives it their all and having fun at the same time. We take our work seriously but at the same time we keep it loose. That's how to have success in this game- keep it loose and not be stuck up. We laugh, we make jokes but we keep our heads right and play the game the right way and things turn out right when you do."
Much more from Manny Machado in my spring training reports from Sarasota on WJZ-TV in the coming days.