All-Start Game Break & Mini Week Standouts

It's tricky selecting an MLBoyfriend the week of the All-Star Game. A week later, the Home Run Derby and All-Star Game seem like old news. Then, the shortened week following doesn't allow players to build up really impressive stats. So, this year, I'd like to showcase a few past MLBoyfriends who did something to catch my eye last week.

Cal Raleigh

The Big Dumper won the Home Run Derby! It's a life-long dream come true.

Elly De La Cruz

For a couple of years, I did a top ten countdown of my favorite looks on the ASG Red Carpet. If I had done that this year, Elly De La Cruz would have taken the #1 spot.

Ronald Acuña Jr.

On Saturday, July 19, Ronald Acuña Jr. made one of the best throws from the outfield ever. Seriously, check this out:

Joe Ryan

After pitching a perfect full inning at the ASG, Joe Ryan threw a hell of a game for my beleaguered Twins on Sunday, July 20. He went 7 full innings giving up just 5 hits, 0 walks, and 1 earned run while striking out 11 batters.

Luis Robert Jr.

If I were forced to pick an MLBoyfriend for the abbreviated week following the ASG, it would have been the handsome Luis Robert Jr. He did put up some very good numbers going 4 for 14 at the plate with a 1.302 OPS. He scored 7 runs, batted in 5 and stole 3 bases. Again, very good, but not quiet the wow factor an MLBoyfriend should have.

Nice work, boys! We'll be back to business as usual next week.

2023 All-Star Game Red Carpet

My Top Ten Favorite Looks From The All-Star Game Red Carpet

The week of the All-Star break is not great for naming a regular MLBoyfriend. Last year, I took the chance to do something different by ranking my favorite looks from the ASG's Red Carpet show. Let's do it again this year.

10. Shohei Ohtani. He may be the best player in baseball right now, but Shohei Ohtani only managed to rank #10 on this list. He's wearing a beautiful suit, but honestly, it's kind of boring. It's mostly working because he's so handsome. He's like the hottest guy at your cousin's wedding.

9. Adley Rutschman. Another beautiful suit, but this one is not at all boring. Well played, Adley Rutschman.

8. Derek Shelton. It's very rare for a manager to make an appearance on this blog--it's only happened twice before. However, I had to give Derek Shelton and his family props for their coordinated looks. Glad to see Gen-X representing with a tribute to Seattle, the host city, and it's amazing 90s music scene.

7. Zac Gallen. This comes very close to being douchey, but somehow, Zac Gallen is making it work.

6. Jonah Heim. This summer's hottest trend? Barbiecore. Jonah Heim and family are riding that hot pink wave perfectly.

5. Orlando Arcia. Speaking of Barbiecore... Orlando Arcia's outfit is fine--good even. However, this pick is all about his daughters. Their matching looks--especially the cat-eye glasses--are giving vintage Skipper, and I am here for it.

4. Juan Soto. Nothing to see here--just a hot guy in a perfect suit. Thanks for keeping it simple, Juan Soto.

3. Mookie Betts. Is this great fashion? No. Do I feel like it's showing us the real Mookie Betts? Absolutely. I want to hang out with the guy wearing this.

2. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. This is fun...

...But Lourdes Gurriel Jr. really took it to a whole other level by giving his sons matching outfits. Topping it all off is the subtle touch of his wife's belt tying her in with the boys.

1. Ronald Acuña Jr. On trend in pink? Check. Fashion forward look? Check. Coordinated with his (very hot) date without being overly matchy? Check. Sexy with swagger for days? Check and check! Ronald Acuña Jr. would have been the best look on the ASG red carpet even without the absolutely ridiculous, yet absolutely fabulous diamond necklace with a massive pendant of himself--but, let's face it, that is next level for an MLB event. He understood the assignment.

2022 All-Star Game Red Carpet

My Top Ten Favorite MLB All-Star Game Red Carpet Looks

Werk it, boys!

10. Trea Turner. A grey suit might not be the boldest fashion statement--that's why it's #10 on this list. However, Trea Turner looks great in it--that's why it made the list.

9. Jazz Chisholm Jr. Bringing Bahamian chic to the All-Star Game.

8. Tony Gonsolin. I have a soft spot for hipster dandies. Since he was one of the few players to fly solo on the red carpet, I went to see if he's single (he's not?), and something fun popped up. If you Google "Tony Gonsolin" the top choice for the next word is "cats". That explains the pocket square and emblem. 

7. Mookie Betts. In theory, I don't like this outfit, but somehow he's making it work. That's the magic of Mookie Betts. I named him my MLBoyfriend twice when he played for the hateful Boston Red Sox, and I naming him one of the best dressed on the ASG red carpet in a boarderline douchey outfit.

6. Dansby Swanson. He's a good looking guy in a nice suit, but this is really Dansby Swanson's consolation prize for being runner up for MLBoyfriend multiple times this summer but never winning the prize.

5. Jose Trevino. You had me at metallic brocade suit. Chef's kiss for the child's matching sports coat.

4. Byron Buxton. MLBoyfriend favorite, Byron Buxton did my hometown team proud on the ASG red carpet. Plus, that is one beautiful family.

3. Ronald Acuña Jr. Sparkle, Ronald Acuña Jr, sparkle!

2. Starling Marte. It's been a year since he's been on MLBoyfriend, but Starling Marte and his wife's matching décolletages brought him roaring back.

1. Martín Pérez. He took home the MLBoyfriend crown two months ago, and now, Martín Pérez is--hands down--my pick for best dressed on the MLB All-Star Game red carpet. From head to toe--literally, the sunglasses and the kicks are both fantastic--just a fabulous look. Bonus points for outstanding coordination (without being overly matchy-matchy) as a family.

Special All-Star Break Edition

Welcome to the first All-Star MLBoyfriend Tournament.

This year, I'll be picking my  All-Star MLBoyfriend from the Home Run Derby participants. There are three reasons for this. First, I saw a lot more of the Home Run Derby than I did the actual All-Star game, so I can make a better informed choice. Second, there's a more manageable pool to select from. Finally, MLB nicely created this very handy bracket for me to use.

2018 MLB Award Winners

It's time for the traditional final MLBoyfriend post of the year. All the MLB Awards have been announced, so let's see how my picks matched up with theirs.

Ronald Acuña Jr.: National League Rookie of the Year

Mookie Betts; American League Most Valuable Player, Golden Glove, Silver Slugger, Defensive Player of the Year (right field), & Player Choice Award for Outstanding Player (American League)

Paul Goldschmidt: Silver Slugger

Dallas Keuchel: Golden Glove

J.D. Martinez: American League Hank Aaron Award, two Silver Sluggers, & Players Choice Award for Player of the Year
UPDATE 3/26/19: I wrote this before J.D. Martinez posted something very problematic on social media that is in direct opposition to my values. He has a right to express political opinions, but words have consequences. In this case the consequence is that I no longer think he's hot--in fact, he's the opposite of hot. NRA propaganda is deal breaker for me.

Shohei Ohtani: American League Rookie of the Year

Anthony Rizzo: Golden Glove

Trevor Story: Silver Slugger

Mike Trout: Silver Slugger

Christian Yelich: National League Most Valuable Player, Silver Slugger, & Players Choice Award for Outstanding Player (National League)

Congratulations to all my MLBoyfriends who won MLB Awards! 

Week 21: Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuña Jr. has been on my radar for much of the season. This is the week Atlanta's likely National League Rookie of the Year is finally my MLBoyfriend.

Acuña had eleven runs, four home runs, nine RBIs, three stolen base, a .464 average, and 1.523 OPS last week. He had an amazing home run streak that ended on Tuesday, August 14. He hit homers in five consecutive game and--even more impressively--he hit lead-off home runs in three consecutive games. Speaking of his Rookie of the Year possibilities, at the age of just 20, Acuña is the youngest player to hit home runs in five consecutive games in over a hundred years and the youngest ever to  hit three lead-off home runs.