This Week in Baseball – All-Star Game, Machado Traded, Matheny Fired, Manfred Disses Trout, Papa Verlander

by FT Staff | July 20, 2018

All That Glitters Is Gold…

The American League defeated the National League 8-6 in the 89th All-Star Game on Tuesday night in the Washington Nationals Ballpark. The game was a historic slugfest, as the two teams combined for an All-Star Game record of 10 home runs! So much to do, so much to see. So what’s wrong with taking the back streets? You’ll never know if you don’t go. You’ll never shine if you don’t glow. Hey now, you’re an all-star.

Mucho Machado…

After days, weeks, and a year of rumors, Manny Machado was finally traded by the Baltimore Orioles and landed with the Los Angeles Dodgers for a package of five minor leaguers. Machado just played in his fourth All-Star Game as the American League’s starting shortstop and is having his best offensive season yet. Speaking of “offensive,” this Orioles team has been offending their fans for some time now.

Bye Bye Birdie…

After some poor on-field decisions and clubhouse issues, the St. Louis Cardinals decided to change course from Mike Matheny and fired him after seven seasons as the manager. For the Cardinals, sitting at 47-46, it marks the first time they have changed managers during a season since 1995, when Joe Torre was replaced by Mike Jorgensen. Torre went on to turn the Yankees into champs. Matheny will be lucky if he can get a job at Champs Sporting Goods.

Mad Man(ford)…

MLB Commissioner, Rob Manfred, took time out of his busy All-Star Game Week Schedule to criticize the best player in MLB (history?) saying that he has not been marketing himself enough. The Commissioner seemed frustrated with the problem of not being able to market the game’s best player. He also feels Trout should be helping with groundskeeping and selling hot dogs.

Baby on Board…

The Houston Astros’ Justin Verlander and Sports Illustraded’s Kate Upton announced on Instagram that they are expecting their first child. The pitcher married the supermodel in an ultra-posh wedding in Italy on Nov. 4—just days after Verlander won his first World Series. Hopefully at some point, Justin will catch a break.