(KGTV) — For Manny Machado, it's a role he doesn't take to heart, but one he understands.
"I always will be the villain, no matter what," Machado told the New York Post. "I don't know why. That is just stuff I have to deal with, and I have been okay dealing with that situation. That doesn't bother me."
The newest San Diego Padres comes in with an infamous past.
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Last season, during the Los Angeles Dodgers' World Series run, Machado didn't please some fans after spiking Boston Red Sox first baseman Steve Pearce's foot. Or when colliding with Milwaukee Brewers' Jesus Aguilar during the National League Championship Series.
His comment that he's not a "Johnny Hustle" kind-of player also irked some.
Whether it be a 10-year, $300 million contract with the Padres or maturing as a player, Machado told the Post he's prepared to push the noise aside and focus on his game.
“I can only control what I do on the field. I can control how good of a teammate I am. How good of a baseball player I am. I am not going to say that I don’t regret some of the things I have done," Machado said. “I have done some pretty dumb things. I am not going to lie. I see the things I have done. And I have done some dumb things.
"At the same time, I have done things that get blown out of the water and suddenly I am that guy. At the end of the day, I play baseball and I don’t let anything else get in my head.”
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And as for San Diego, he's confident he's found the right home.
“It is a little far away from home, but we couldn’t be happier with our decision, we really couldn’t,” Machado told the Post.
To read more of the Post's interview with Machado, click here.
