Week 7: Nolan Arenado

I can't believe it's been four years since Nolan Arenado won the MLBoyfriend title. He's a great player and a handsome devil. Well, he's made his triumphant return. Let's take a look at some stats and pictures.

Last week, Arenado had...

A .400 batting average and 1.263 OPS (those numbers are both really high);

3 home runs;

4 runs, and 5 RBIs!

Congratulations, Nolan Arenado! You are my MLBoyfriend of the week. Let's not wait another four years for our next date.

Week 6: John Means

I said it earlier this year, and I'm amazed I have to say it again so soon, but.... Throwing a no-hitter doesn't automatically earn you the title of MLBoyfriend (sorry, Wade Miley); however, it does help a lot. On May 5th, John Means not only threw not just a no-hitter, but also went nine full innings with no walks. 

Unfortunately, Means put a player on base with a third-strike wild pitch, so it wasn't a perfect game. Still, he threw a beautiful game.

I have a soft spot for the Baltimore Orioles, and it was great to see them have something to celebrate. Means threw was the first solo no-hitter for the Orioles since Jim Palmer threw his in 1969. (Side note: many gay men of a certain age, including myself, are big fans of Jim Palmer's work off the baseball field.)

Congratulations, John Means! You are my MLBoyfriend of the week. Also, thanks for the great pictures of the celebration of your achievement.

I'm a big fan of the catcher leaping into
the pitchers arms in celebration...

...and of group hugs on the mound.

Week 5: Alex Kirilloff

Alex Kirilloff hit the first home run of his major league career on April 30th. He hit the second, later in the same game.

It's a very rare occurrence for a player to hit their first two homers in one game--the last time a member of the Minnesota Twins did it was in 1994.

Turns out, the 30th was just the start of what would turn out to be a very good week for Kirilloff. He ended it with a .292 batting average and a 1.141 OPS with 5 runs, 4 home runs, 10 RBIs. Not bad for a rookie.

Congratulations, Alex Kirilloff! You are my MLBoyfriend of the week. Keep up the good work.

This pic is a bit of a cheat. It's not from this week,
but it's hard to find pictures of rookies celebrating.

Week 4: Fernando Tatís Jr.

Fernando Tatís Jr. deserves his nickname "El Niño" for two reasons. First, at just twenty-two years of age, he's one of the youngest MLBoyfriends ever. But, more to the point, he hit Los Angeles like a storm last week--hitting five home runs in three games.

As if that weren't amazing enough, Tatís Jr. hit two home runs in Dodger Stadium on the 22nd anniversary of his father hitting two home runs in one inning in, yes, Dodger Stadium. 

Tatís ended the week with the aforementioned 5 home runs, 9 runs, 7 RBIs, 4 stolen bases, a .385 batting average, and a whopping 1.467 OPS.

And he looked good putting up those numbers.

Congratulations, Fernando Tatís Jr.! You are my MLBoyfriend of the week. MLB seems to agree with my pick as Tatís was also named National League (Co-)Player of the Week.

Week 3: Carlos Rodón

Throwing a no-hitter does not guarantee winning the MLBoyfriend title--just ask Joe Musgrove. However, Carlos Rodón really caught my eye when he threw a no hitter on Wednesday, April 14.

Of course, every no-no is special, and White Sox fans can make the case that this one was extra special because of Rodón's history. I think what made it so great to watch was Rodón's style--swagger, if you will. To be honest, it was unbuttoned jersey collar that really sealed the deal for me.

I also love that it was thrown by a fellow southpaw.

Cogratulations, Carlos Rodón! By throwing 20th no-hitter in the franchises history, you have become the first ever Chicago White Sox MLBoyfriend. You have so much to celebrate this week.

Week 2: Nelson Cruz

Nelson Cruz just gets better with age. 40-year-old players are not supposed to put up the kind of numbers he did last week.

The third oldest player in MLB hit 4 home runs (that's a lot!), scored 9 runs, had 9 RBIs, with a .440 batting average and a 1.443 OPS.

I would also argue that Nelson Cruz has gotten better looking over the course of his career.

ROOKIE YEAR vs. THIS YEAR

Congratulations, Nelson Cruz! You are my MLBoyfriend of the week. You've won the title before, and if you keep up the good work this season, you could easily win it again.

Week 1: Eric Hosmer

Eric Hosmer, came out swinging to start 2021. He had three hits in each of the first two games and 13 total bases in those games--setting two franchise records for the San Diego Padres. As of this posting, he has an amazing .636 batting average and 2.030 OPS for the (admittedly not-even-week-old) season with 3 runs, 2 home runs, and 6 RBIs.

Hosmer did all this looking handsome as ever.

Congratulations, Eric Hosmer, you are the first MLBoyfriend of 2021. My Mom would have been so happy--you were one of her favorites.