Seventh All-Star nod adds to Padres star’s Hall of Fame credentials

Add another milestone to a career full of them for Manny Machado, now officially a seven-time MLB All-Star. The San Diego Padres star was voted in as the starting third baseman for the National League, marking his fourth time starting the Midsummer Classic and his second as a Padre. It’s a well-deserved honor in a year where Machado continues to stack numbers that few third basemen in history can match.

The fan vote came down to Machado and division rival Max Muncy of the Dodgers, who unfortunately just hit the injured list. Machado will take the national spotlight on July 15. In truth, he earned it. And as flashy as his game can be, Machado’s case for Cooperstown is built on a foundation of durability, productivity, and undeniable skill.

Machado’s career stats paint the picture of a player who's been one of the most consistent forces in the game for over a decade:

• Games Played: 1,822
• Hits: 1,997
• Home Runs: 356
• RBIs: 1100
• Runs Scored: 1,044
• Batting Average: .280
• On-Base Percentage (OBP): .339
• Slugging Percentage (SLG): .488
• OPS: .827

Add to that resume a growing list of accolades:

• 7× All-Star (2013, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2025)
• 2× Gold Glove Award (2013, 2015)
• Platinum Glove Award (2013)
• Silver Slugger Award (2020, 2024)
• Three Top-5 MVP Finishes (2016, 2020, 2022)
• Seven 30+ HR seasons

Manny Machado is joining baseball’s elite one milestone at a time

It’s easy to overlook Machado’s career because he’s not always been the media darling. He’s definitely rubbed some the wrong way with his attitude. But at a certain point, you have to separate personality from production. And Machado has produced at an elite level since the moment he broke into the league in 2012.

What’s most impressive about Manny Machado’s Hall of Fame case is just how well-rounded it has become. He’s not a one-dimensional slugger or a glove-only infielder — he does it all, and he’s done it consistently for over a decade.

Start with his durability. Machado has played over 150 games in a season nine times, a remarkable accomplishment in an era when load management and scheduled rest days are the norm. Year in and year out, he’s been a mainstay in the lineup, often anchoring the heart of the batting order while holding down a premium defensive position.

Then there’s the offensive production. This season, Machado crossed a major milestone: 350 career home runs. That, combined with the inevitable 2,000 hit mark, puts him in truly elite company. Only 11 players in MLB history have ever reached both 2,000 hits and 350 homers before turning 33 years old.

Of those 11, eight are enshrined in Cooperstown. Hank Aaron, Jimmie Foxx, Lou Gehrig, Ken Griffey Jr., Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Mel Ott, and Frank Robinson. 

When you combine that level of offensive firepower with elite defense and rare durability, it’s no longer a debate. Manny Machado isn’t just compiling numbers — he’s building a legacy.

Sure, Machado hasn’t won a World Series — yet. But he’s been to the postseason multiple times with the Orioles, Dodgers, and Padres, and he’s often been the heartbeat of teams fighting for October relevance. A late-career postseason surge would undoubtedly help the narrative, but it’s not necessary to validate what he’s already accomplished.

Right now, Machado sits on the borderline of Hall of Fame certainty, especially in a modern era that increasingly appreciates advanced stats like WAR. If he continues his current pace for another 3–4 seasons, eclipsing 375 home runs and pushing beyond 2,400 hits, he’ll no longer be a “debate.” He’ll be a lock. Love him or not, Manny Machado is one of the most productive and dynamic players of his generation.

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