Manny Machado’s roots firmly planted in San Diego

Manny Machado is a bona fide superstar. The San Diego Padres pulled off a coup back in February when they signed him to an 11-year, $350 million contract extension. As for the Miami-born Dominican third baseman, he has bet what is likely to be the rest of his fruitful playing years on San Diego.

Putting down roots in Coronado, California during the season has now expanded even further, with Machado part of the ownership group of the new San Diego MLS expansion team.

As a minority owner, Machado joins the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation and Egyptian billionaire Mohamed Mansour in bringing professional soccer to America’s Finest City, a prospect that fills him with joy.

“I couldn’t be happier than for it to land here in San Diego and to be a part of this group and continue to put those roots here in San Diego,” said Machado. “It’s going to be a fun expansion, and I’m looking forward, with this great fanbase, to add another sports team here.”

As a lifelong soccer fan, Machado is enthralled by Lionel Messi and while he claims that he could never master The Beautiful Game himself, he has an enormous admiration for those who do. More than that, he likes the international appeal of the game.

“It’s kind of like baseball. You have different people from different cultures who come together to play a game. It’s still a dream come true. I’m still in shock about it, that it’s real. A kid from Hialeah, and now being part of an ownership with Mr. Mansour and Sycuan, it’s just an unreal moment. I’m truly blessed and thankful.”

With Ken Griffey Jr a part owner of the Seattle Sounders and Nomar Garciaparra a part owner of LAFC, it looks like a growing number of MLB players are true believers in the MLS.

Machado now has links to San Diego that will transcend his playing years, and with ties that deep, surely the city and Padres fans will return the favor.