“It’s not my problem, what they think” - Manny Machado responds to his effort level and ‘Johnny hustle’ remarks on the field

San Diego Padres slugger Manny Machado is one of the MLB's best third basemen, making effortless plays on a daily basis. Moreover, his hustle on bases has often helped his team, like it did on Monday night, which even had manager Mike Shildt complimenting him for his efforts.

However, this wasn't always the case. When he was with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2018 season, Machado made a "Johnny Hustle" remark to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, saying he is not one of those players to "run down the line and slide to first base."

This phrase reverberated in Monday's presser when a reporter asked about it while discussing Machado's effort on the field.

“It’s not my problem, what they think,” Machado said [via MLB.com]. “Everyone has an opinion.”

Adding more to his 2018 comments, Manny Machado said:

“I said what I said; it’s fair, and I can’t take that back. Obviously, it was misinterpreted and people still take it out of context and take it overboard. It’s probably going to [continue], but I have no regrets. I continue to play, continue to grow and get better at different things in life and get better at baseball."

Since joining the Padres, Machado has been consistently making effortless plays, but the "Johnny Hustle" remark still makes its way into everyone's mind.

Full context to Manny Machado's "Johnny Hustle" remark

MLB: World Series-Boston Red Sox at Los Angeles Dodgers

During the 2018 postseason, Manny Machado was often called out for his lack of hustle and reckless plays that often cost the LA Dodgers. Upon finally being asked about his lack of enthusiasm, he said:

"Obviously I’m not going to change, I’m not the type of player that’s going to be ‘Johnny Hustle’ and run down the line and slide to first base and … you know, whatever can happen. That’s just not my personality, that’s not my cup of tea, that’s not who I am." [via The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal].

However, a month after the Dodgers lost the World Series to the Boston Red Sox, Machado clarified his statement in an interview with MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.

“When I was asked that question, I was definitely on the defensive, and I was wrong to answer it the way that I did, because looking back, it doesn’t come across how I meant it,” Machado said.

He added:

“For me, I was trying to talk about how I’m not the guy who is eye wash. There’s a difference between fake hustle for show and being someone who tries hard to win. I’ve always been the guy who does whatever he can to win for his team.

“But I know how I said it and how that came across, and it’s something I take responsibility for. I look forward to talking with each GM and owner that we meet with about that, or any other questions they have," Machado concluded.

The "Johnny Hustle" remark has surely been overblown and Manny Machado has more than made up for it in his six-year stint with the Padres.