In March of 2024, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune wrote about the change in philosophy and approach for the Padres. After a disastrous 2023 season and a change of managers, the team was asked to buy in to what Mike Shildt was selling.
Manny Machado said it best- “We’ve just got to play better,” he said. “You know, focus on the little things — on playing baseball the right way and doing the little fundamentals that count that make you execute in the big moments.”
Jake Cronenworth illustrated further buy in.