#24 Manny Machado

#24 Manny Machado

First impression of what’s going on: Pretty standard third baseman shot, but again, the crop is a tad too tight. I think we still get the dirt on the jersey and expression on his face without sacrificing his elbow.

BALTIMORE, MD - JUNE 11: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles throws the ball to first base against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June 11, 2013 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)

The Reality of the Photo: It looks like Machado is charging a slow roller/bunt. The caption doesn’t give much detail so we’ll have to go to the BOXSCORE.

In the first inning, Machado fielded two ground balls. The first, going towards the shortstop is where I’m speculating his uniform got dirty. The third batter and final out of the inning was a ground ball to weak third base by Albert Pujols. That could be it.

In the 4^th, Machado fielded another ball to weak 3B, this time off the bat of Mark Trumbo.

Finally, in the 9^th, Mike Trout also had a ball to weak third base.

In my limited skills as a detective, I’m going to say this photo was taken during the first inning on the ball hit by Albert Pujols. If you look in the upper right hand corner of the photo there are a lot of empty seats behind Machado. It could very well be a snack run in the 4^th or people left during the 9^th, but I’m betting that people were still trickling into the game.

Machado does give Rawlings some love by displaying two logos prominently on his glove.

On to the back:

Rookie Fact: Manny was, on 8/10/2012, the franchise’s youngest player with a 2-HR game.

I didn’t fact check this but I did go to the BOXSCORE to see the game.

Batting .500 on the season after going 2-4. What was it his first game?

Close. He did it in just his second game! That’s pretty impressive.

Information I’ll be tracking:

Card Number: #24

Player Name: Manny Machado

Team: Baltimore Orioles

Position: Third Base

Game Date: June 11, 2013

Opponent: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Stadium: Oriole Park at Camden Yard

Division: American League East

Home/Away: Home

Outcome of the game: 3-2, Orioles over the Angels, Win for the player depicted

Alternate/Throwback Jersey: No

Bats/Throws: Right/Right

Birthdate: 7/6/1992

Birthplace: Florida

Cameos by: N/A

Photographer: G Fiume

Niche collections this card could fit into: Free Advertising, Future Stars, Dirty Jersey

My Grade: I did say it was a pretty standard third baseman shot, but the dirty jersey gives it a little extra something. At the same time, the orange blob in the upper right hand corner (a vendor’s shirt if you look at the photo) is not very attractive to the card.  The crop job doesn’t really help either. But I am a fan of the cartoon bird on the hat making a comeback. I’m going to say B- on this one.