Babe Ruth. Reggie Jackson. Alex Rodriguez.
Manny Machado?
If the ultra-talented free-agent infielder chooses to spend 2019 and beyond with the Yankees, which might be turning into a long shot, then he had best follow the precedent set by his three fellow polarizing superstars who joined the Yankees mid-career.
He’ll need to be in on his own joke.
Is he capable of that? We can’t possibly know unless and until Machado chooses to wear the fabled pinstripes rather than join the Phillies or White Sox — respected Latino journalist Hector Gomez reported Wednesday that Machado has eliminated the Yankees, although the Yankees hadn’t heard that — and embark upon such a high-risk, high-reward journey.