SAN FRANCISCO -- These days, the milestones are coming so fast for Manny Machado, he’s having a hard time keeping track.
The Padres' star third baseman launched the 350th home run of his career in Thursday's series finale at Oracle Park -- a 3-2 Giants victory. A few days ago, he’d been informed by a reporter that he was only one away from the milestone. But the Padres are in the middle of a crucial stretch on their schedule, and, well, Machado has other things on his mind.
So it wasn’t until the following inning, when teammate Xander Bogaerts offered congratulations, that Machado remembered the history he’d made.
“I completely forgot,” Machado said. “So it hasn’t really sunk in yet. But it’s pretty cool, man, honestly.”
The 32-year-old Machado has put himself in some exclusive company with 350 home runs before his 33rd birthday. He’s one of only 33 players since at least 1901 to reach that mark at age 32 or younger and one of only 102 players to reach the mark at any age.
Machado is also just 29 hits shy of 2,000 for his career. Only 11 players have reached those two marks -- 2,000 hits and 350 home runs -- in their age-32 season or earlier. Eight are in the Hall of Fame (Hank Aaron, Jimmie Foxx, Lou Gehrig, Ken Griffey Jr., Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Mel Ott and Frank Robinson). The other three are Miguel Cabrera and Albert Pujols (who are not yet eligible) and Alex Rodriguez.
“Those guys are legends of our game,” Machado said. “To even be mentioned in that, with the careers that they’ve had -- shoot, give me half of that the rest of the way, and I’ll be pretty happy. Those guys, I looked up to all of them. They’re guys you play the game because of them, looking up to them. To even be mentioned with them, that’s surreal for sure.”
Indeed, Machado seems to be on a Cooperstown-bound trajectory. He’s also in the midst of one of his finest seasons at the plate. His two-run homer on Thursday came against Giants lefty Robbie Ray, the reigning National League Pitcher of the Month, giving the Padres a 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning.
Machado would tack on an impressive opposite-field single off closer Camilo Doval in the ninth, finishing his day 2-for-4. He also delivered a clutch two-out, game-tying single off Doval on Tuesday as part of a four-hit night.
“He’s got an approach matching that beautiful swing,” said Padres manager Mike Shildt. “Manny’s clearly in a good place.”
Machado is batting .317 with an .880 OPS. That batting average along with his .382 on-base percentage are both career highs. He’s honed a more patient version of himself at the plate, with a 9.8% walk rate well above his career average.
Earlier in the season, Machado hadn’t quite tapped into his power, but that’s no longer an issue -- five of Machado’s eight home runs on the season have come over the past two weeks.
Last season, Machado set the franchise home run record, passing Nate Colbert’s longstanding mark of 163. Thursday’s blast was his 175th as a Padre -- with, presumably, many more to come.
“I’m obviously blessed,” Machado said of No. 350. “It’s a huge accomplishment, a big milestone for sure. I’m grateful for the opportunity.”