![\"Cincinnati](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/CPIHK6RZORDQRFHWCUYD25H6P4.jpg\")
<\/p>\nMachado is walking through the visitor\u2019s dugout as he goes about his day, and then he hears the name Sal Stewart brought up. Machado stops immediately, takes a break from his routine and strikes up a conversation about the 21-year-old infielder who was tearing up Double-A at the time. <\/p>\n
Machado and Stewart are incredibly close friends, and they train together during the offseason. During a conversation at Great American Ball Park in June, Machado had just learned from Stewart that he\u2019d be playing in the Future\u2019s Game at All-Star weekend. Machado beamed as he spoke about how proud he was of Stewart. <\/p>\n
They\u2019d been talking about this for a while. <\/p>\n
\u201cDuring the offseason, we set goals for ourselves,\u201d Stewart said. \u201cOne of our goals was me in the Futures Game and him in the All-Star Game. We did that. On Monday, we\u2019re going to celebrate. As soon as he touches down, I\u2019m going to call him and ask where you\u2019re at.\u201d<\/p>\n
Of course, Stewart had a bigger goal than that. He wanted to be a contributor down the stretch for the Reds at the big league level. Now, Stewart is accomplishing that. And Machado had a front row seat to that this week. <\/p>\n
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Credit: AP<\/p>\n
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Credit: AP<\/p>\n
As the Reds faced the Padres in San Diego, Stewart and Machado shared the field. Stewart homered on Tuesday, and he shared an exchange with Machado as he rounded third base.<\/p>\n
Stewart says that Machado has given him great advice over the years. <\/p>\n
\u201cJust be who I am,\u201d Stewart said. \u201cHe has done so much for me. We prepare so well. Go out there, know what you do when you prepare. When the preparation is done, go out and play.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stewart has had the ability to work out with Machado in the offseason, and he has copied the routine of the seven-time All-Star. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s incredible,\u201d Stewart said. \u201cEveryone knows what he has done. I follow his plan. He gave me the privilege to train with him when I was younger, and he still allows me that privilege. I\u2019ll never take that for granted.\u201d<\/p>\n
Former Reds and Padres first baseman Yonder Alonso, who introduced Stewart to Machado, is also one of Stewart\u2019s closest friends. They\u2019re in touch constantly. Recently, the Reds had Stewart start playing first base. Alonso sent Stewart his first base mitt.<\/p>\n