Former Padres Clubhouse Leader Has an Idea Who Should 'Captain' the 2024 Team

Ricardo Sandoval | Mar 29, 2024

Mar 28, 2024; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres shortstop Ha-Seong Kim (right) is / Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

The San Diego Padres got off to a solid start to the 2024 campaign after going 1-1 in Korea against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Their second game in Korea was a high-scoring affair, in which the Friars came out on top, 15-11. They recorded 17 hits, and arguably, their most important hit came in the top of the ninth inning, thanks to their superstar third baseman Manny Machado. 

Machado came in clutch when they needed him most, as he drove in three insurance runs to secure the win with his big home run to left field. It was also his only hit of the night, but the biggest, without a doubt. 

The 31-year-old has been the catalyst for the team since joining in 2019. He's been big for this turnaround San Diego has endured the past handful of seasons, so much so that one former Padre infielder believes Machado would be the team's captain in 2024. 

Former Frair Eric Hosmer shared on Twitter that the Padres should put the "C on his [Machado] chest." 

Put the C on his chest https://t.co/SqXevHZo1Y

— Eric Hosmer (@TheRealHos305) March 21, 2024

Hosmer said this under MLB's tweet of Machado's home run. 

The former Padre infielder was a teammate of the six-time All-Star from 2019 to 2022. The team signed Hosmer to an eight-year deal in 2018. Although that contract didn't work out, the Machado one certainly has. 

The two-time All-MLB First Teamer has grown from his time as a Baltimore Oriole to now. He's far more mature, people look up to him in the locker room, and he's the best player. Usually, the best players are the leaders in the locker room, and this could be applied to Machado.