Joey Votto

Something a little different this week, but not totally unprecedented... This week's MLBoyfriend did not play a single inning of Major League Baseball, but I couldn't let the retirement of long-time MLBoyfriend favorite, Joey Votto, pass without posting an appreciation of him.

For those, who don't know Joey Votto, here's a fan-created post with just a few of the moments that made many of us fall for him.

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If you have a bit more time, here's a some of Votto's career highlights on the field.

And here's Joey being Joey when he's not between the lines.

I won't go through all the stats and awards, but let's just say there's a good case for Joey Votto making it into the Baseball Hall Of Fame. FWIW, he's also a favorite of the gays. I'll just post of few of the many cute pics I found of him while "researching" this post. Did I mention that he's very handsome?

Congratulations, Joey Votto! You are my MLBoyfriend of the week.

I'm sad to see you go, but I love to see you walk away.

Bowden Francis

Bowden Francis threw two very good games last week. On Monday, August 12, Francis went 7 full innings against the Angels. He only gave up one hit--unfortunately, it was a home run, so it also scored an earned run. Other than that, he was perfect. He struck out 8 and gave up no walks.

Francis faced the Cubs on Sunday, August 18. He went another 7 full innings. He struck out 7 batters while giving up only one 3 hits and no earned runs. Again, he did not walk any batters.

Francis ended the week with 2 wins, a 0.64 ERA and 0.29 WHIP. Those stats earned him the title of American League Player of the Week.

Congratulations, Bowden Francis! You are my MLBoyfriend of the week.

Jackson Merrill

Can anyone explain to me why three of the youngest MLB players are all named Jackson? Sure, it seems like a very early-2000's boys' name. However, it was only the 30th most popular in 2003 when Jackson Merrill and Jackson Holliday were born. It did move up in 2004 when Jackson Chourio was born--but only to 23rd.

For what ever reason, that name must have magical baseball powers. The three rookie Jacksons were literally slugging it out for my attention last week.

As good as Holliday and Chourio were, I had to give it to Jackson Merrill who had a monster week at the plate last week.

Merrill went 10 for 24 for a .417, but it was the extra-base hits that really set him apart. He had 1 double, 1 triple and 4 home runs giving him a slugging percentage of 1.042--that's really, really big. Oh, along the way, he scored 9 runs, batted in 8 and stole base twice. He definitely earned the National League Player of the Week Award he was given today.

Congratulations, Jackson Merrill! You are my MLBoyfriend of the week.

José Ramírez

I am ambivalent towards this week's MLBoyfriend. On the one hand, José Ramírez definitely had a great week. He started off strong on Monday, July 29, when he went 3-for-4 at the plate with 2 home runs and 3 RBI.

Ramírez ended the week with some great stats with a .391 batting average and 1.515 OBP. He had 9 runs, 2 doubles and 5 home runs, 11 RBI and 2 stolen bases.

However, Ramírez did all this for the Cleveland Guardians, the team that currently leads the American League Central ahead of my Minnesota Twins. Worse yet, the two teams are facing off for in a four-game series later this week. So, this is the first time I want my MLBoyfriend to cool off before the end of his reign.

Still, I have to give credit where credit is due... Congratulations, José Ramírez! You are my MLBoyfriend of the week.