Bryce Harper has been one of the most talked-about rookies -- if not one of the most talked about players, period -- this season and rightfully so. Despite his recent sruggles, Harper has had one hell of a rookie season for the Washington Nationals so far, from earning for his first All-Star nomination to becoming a budding entrepreneur at the tender age of 19.
Meanwhile, 40 miles north of D.C., the Baltimore Orioles have their own rookie phenom -- Manny Machado -- whose MLB debut through last weekend could not have gone any better.
Since making his first appearance Thursday, Machado is hitting .375 with three home runs (one of which was awarded to him upon instant replay) and seven RBIs. Five of his six major-league hits have gone for extra bases (three homers, one triple, one double) as the O's split their four-game series with the Kansas City Royals.
Machado set several records over the past four days. He is the youngest player in MLB history to have a multi-HR game in either his first or second career game (20 years, 35 days at the time). He is also the first player in the modern era (since 1900) to hit two homers and a triple in his first two career games. Franchise-wise, Machado is also the youngest player in Orioles history to hit two or more home runs in one game.
That's a lot to digest.
Apparently, the Capital and Baltimore Beltways have been churning out one-of-a-kind rookies this season. I'll just wait patiently until Machado has his "clown question" moment.
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