LOS ANGELES -- Any Brewers fans watching Game 5 of the World Series likely noticed and appreciated one small moment that happened just before the Red Sox stormed the field at Dodgers Stadium to celebrate their fourth title in 15 years.
It wasn't anything flashy like a big home run, but it likely meant a lot to the thousands of Milwaukee fans who came to see Dodgers shortstop Manny Machado as a villain during their team's incredible postseason run.
Machado, who was 0-3 already in Game 5, stepped up to the plate with two outs in the bottom of the 9th. The Red Sox had all but clinched the championship at that point, but that doesn't make this moment any less karmic for Brewers fans, as Machado swung and missed to end his team's season. Just watch:
It's incredibly satisfying seeing Manny Machado take a knee on a gorgeous Chris Sale slider to end the World Series. pic.twitter.com/ysyt8COhFb
— Pitcher List (@PitcherList) October 29, 2018
The Dodgers trade deadline-acquisition became the clear heel of the Brewers-Dodgers NLCS after he seemingly intentionally stepped on first baseman Jesus Aguilar on a run-of-the-mill play. He was later fined for the incident.
Brewers MVP Christian Yelich called it a "dirty play by a dirty player," and that was far from the first time Machado's antics have been called into question.
Though Milwaukee came up short, there's no doubt GM David Stearns and Manager Craig Counsell will have their squad back in contention again in 2019.