Third base in Baltimore always seems to be occupied by someone special. For 23 years, Brooks Robinson flashed the leather at the hot corner, and although he spent most of his career as a shortstop, younger fans like me remember Cal Ripken, Jr. as a third baseman.
Then there were the guys who probably won’t have a statue put up in Legends Park or anywhere else for that matter.
Melvin Mora manned the hot corner for much of the recent decade.
Miguel Tejada had a couple shots here and there.
Ty Wiggington put up some solid offensive stats.
Josh Bell was a failed experiment.
Mark Reynolds’ defense was so horrendous that he was moved to first base.
Wilson Betemit needed a better mitt.
Other short-term guys filled in here and there, but now, it looks like the hot corner is once again pretty stable thanks to the emergence of a young stud.
You might recognize him as the kid with big ears. If you’re Adam Jones, you know him as the Baby Face Assassin. The rest of the MLB knows him as Manny Machado.
Drafted third overall in 2010 as a shortstop, Manny wasted little time rising higher and higher in the rankings. He skipped AAA-Norfolk and made his MLB debut on August 9,2012 against the Royals, when he tripled in his second at bat. The following night, he proved his worth as a power hitter by belting two homers. He hasn’t looked back since.
Machado opened up the 2013 season as the team’s #2 hitter and everyday third baseman. Many questioned manager Buck Showalter’s decision to put Manny in the two-hole. He got off to a bit of a slow start and I’m sure a handful of fans were seeing a sophomore slump in the making, but he put all doubts aside with a game-winning three-run homer last night off Red Sox closer Joel Hanrahan.
Defensively, Machado has been phenomenal. I tweeted a few days ago that Manny will win the Gold Glove award this season, and I don’t doubt myself for a second. He has flashed the leather on numerous occasions and makes the routine plays look routine. His baseball IQ is well above average, as shown by this incredible play he made last season in a tie game against the Rays:
The O’s third baseman has been quite impressive thus far and he will only get better. He has the potential to be selected as an All Star multiple times, and like I said, I see him winning the Gold Glove this season and a few more times down the road.
Superstar center fielder Adam Jones is locked up until the end of the 2018 season, but look for Manny Machado to be the face of the Baltimore Orioles franchise for years to come.
One Response
That is a play that will stick in the minds of elder fans and youth alike. My grandchildren will hear about that play much like Brookey was famed during the 1970 world series vs the Reds. I hope he has the fortitude to last in our ranks and that the brass will keep him there.