Last Updated on March 24, 2022
Padres superstar Manny Machado recently conducted an interview while sporting a “Let’s Go Brandon” t-shirt. The gold-glove-winning infielder did not elaborate further and seemed to let the shirt indicate his feelings on the current U.S. president.
In 2019, Machado signed what was briefly the largest free agent contract in the history of North American sports with the San Diego Padres. Machado was signed for $300 million over ten seasons after spending most of his rookie contract in Baltimore. The deal was the largest in history until Bryce Harper signed for $330 million over 13 years with the Philadelphia Phillies less than a week later.
“Let’s Go Brandon” chants became a staple at college football games and UFC events last fall. The trend started after a crowd chanted “F*** Joe Biden” at a NASCAR event, which was misunderstood by a Fox Sports reporter. The reporter thought the crowd was chanting “Let’s Go Brandon” in reference to race winner Brandon Brown, which gave birth to the meme.
Brown was initially locked out of sponsorships but has since leaned into the move. The driver secured a partnership with a “Let’s Go Brandon” cryptocurrency and will be racing in a Camaro decorated with the phrase this upcoming season.
As for Manny Machado rocking a “Let’s Go Brandon” shirt, the five-time All Star has never publicly elaborated on his politics. The MLB has routinely backed left wing causes, however. Most notably, the league pulled the 2021 All Star Game from Atlanta over the state’s voter ID law, which was labeled as “voter suppression” by left wing activists. The move was very costly for Georgia businesses, which led to a lawsuit being filed against the MLB.
The move was requested by President Biden, who called upon the league to stand against “voter suppression.”
