Reggie Jackson: Machado's lack of hustle 'ain't going to play' in New York

Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson believes Manny Machado is going to have to show some hustle if he wants to play for the New York Yankees.

The famous former Yankee offered his thoughts about comments made by Machado during the 2018 postseason when the free agent said he was "not the type of player that's going to be Johnny Hustle."

"I can't understand a player saying that. That ain't going to play here," Jackson said to Wallace Matthews of the New York Daily News. "I was a pretty good player and I ran hard every single at-bat. It takes talent to run fast, but it doesn't take talent to run hard. Effort is the least we can ask of ourselves."

The 72-year-old Jackson, now a special advisor with the Yankees, knows what it takes to survive the criticism that comes with playing in a tough New York market after signing a free-agent deal. Jackson signed with the Yankees in 1976 after helping the Oakland Athletics win three World Series, and caught flack during his first season because of his reported "straw that stirs the drink" comment.

"Expectations are high here," Jackson said. "This is the toughest of environments. For what you get paid here you better produce, or you'll leave on your ass. And if you're the type to complain about the press, this ain't the place to come."

Jackson's comments came less than a week after Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner called Machado's postseason remarks "troubling."

The Yankees are one of the many teams rumored to have interest in the 26-year-old Machado, who is expected to command a deal in the $300-million range.

"It takes a special guy to play here," Jackson said. "I've seen guys sign here and say it's the happiest day of their lives. Then I've seen them get traded or retire and it turns out that's really the happiest day of their lives."