Happy New Year, Odd Stats and Machado Drama
By Andy Martinez
Manny Machado’s Instagram tease
Though Manny Machado still hasn’t signed with anyone, by all indications, he’s close. And on New Year’s Eve, he either tipped his hand as to where he’s signing or he trolled his fans by following YES Network, the TV broadcast home of the New York Yankees. He quickly unfollowed them, but it clearly didn’t go unnoticed. Is Machado going to be a Yankee soon? Or does he know how to play his fans? ???
Feliz Año Nuevo!
Speaking of New Year, the New York Mets’ newest closer Edwin Diaz took time to wish his fans a happy 2019. Diaz has a lot to look forward to this year with a resurgent Mets team. ¡Wepa!
Strange Stats and Nuggets
It’s no secret that there are loads and loads of béisbol stats. Ever wondered what José Berríos’ 83rd pitch of the season was? You can find those stats out! (It was a called strike to the Orioles’ Tim Beckham in the eighth inning on April 1, in case you were wondering.) Jayson Stark of The Athletic compiled a list of the Strange But True facts from the 2018 season. One of the better ones? Juan Soto of the Nationals making his major league debut on May 20, but hitting a home run on May 15. Impossible? Well, the May 15 game against the Yankees was postponed due to rain and finished on June 18. Technically, everything that happened on June 18 is considered by baseball to have occurred on May 15. Might be one of Soto’s toughest accomplishments to beat!
Pro Post of the Day
Peloteros were sharing either their #BestNine photos of the year or photos to recap their 2018 over the elongated Holiday. Christian Vázquez was no different. I mean how can you not reminisce on a year in which you won the World Series?! But suspiciously missing from his collage on Instagram is a photo from another big event that happened in 2018: his wedding. Hopefully Christian won’t get in trouble with the wife!
Fan Post of the Day
We love when fans share photos of their favorite peloteros. It’s even more awesome when they post rare photos of legendary peloteros, like this one of El Toro, Fernando Valenzuela. Valenzuela pitched for the Mexican League’s Leones de Yucatan before being signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers. As they say, the rest is history.
Remember to send us your best posts and you might see them here!
OTD
1946 – The White Sox buy pitcher Álex Carrasquel and shortstop Fred Vaughn from the Washington Senators. Carrasquel was the first Venezuelan-born player to appear in the Majors, but only played in three games for the White Sox. Álex was the uncle of future White Sox shortstop, Chico Carrasquel.
2011 – Dylan Owen, Eddy Ramos and Saúl Rivera of the Criollos de Caguas combine to throw a no-hitter in the Puerto Rican League, as they beat the Gigantes de Carolina 5-0.
Happy Birthday!
José Méndez, Negro League pitcher and Hall of Famer (b. 1885)
Edgar Martínez, seven-time All-Star (b. 1963)
Yoan López, Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher (b. 1993)
Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres prospect (b. 1999)
Featured Image: Harry How/Getty Images/Getty Images Sport