Fans often see MLB players as entities from a different planet.
But in reality, they are human beings, just like all of us: they have flaws, they have problems, and they have a life outside of the diamond, too.
This is true for every ballplayer in the bigs, even two young stars like Seattle Mariners‘ Julio Rodriguez and Washington Nationals’ Juan Soto.
For example, Rodriguez and Soto were both born in the Dominican Republic, and they have known each other for a long time.
In fact, you would be surprised to learn the circumstances in which they connected.
“Julio Rodriguez on Juan Soto: ‘We used to play Call of Duty all the time against each other,'” Mariners reporter Ryan Divish tweeted.
Julio Rodriguez on Juan Soto: "We used to play Call of Duty all the time against each other."
— Ryan Divish (@RyanDivish) July 19, 2022
Amazing!
They Are Young Kids Who Became Friends
This is a reminder that the two stars are both very, very young and were thinking about fun and games until recently.
They may even still play some, too, to take their minds from their issues from time to time.
Soto is 23, and J-Rod is just 21.
One is an accomplished slugger with a few MVP-caliber seasons, a World Series ring and several other accolades; and the other is the biggest candidate to win the American League Rookie of the Year award this season.
Both gave us all an incredible performance in Monday’s Home Run Derby.
The night belonged to Rodriguez, who hit a total of 81 homers and made it look easy; but Soto ended up winning the prize by defeating his friend 19-18 in the final round.
MLB is in good hands with those two incredible hitting talents.
Both are young, talented, and hungry for success: the kind of young, marketable stars the league needs.
NEXT: Mariners Share A Dreamlike Video Of Julio Rodriguez's 81 Homers