Every MLB player is just a kid from somewhere.
They each have a different story about how they learned to play the game and each had a different path to the Major Leagues.
One player who learned how to hit in an interesting way is Seattle Mariners star outfielder Julio Rodriguez.
Growing up in the Dominican Republic, Rodriguez would play baseball in his neighborhood.
But he got into trouble after hitting many home runs off of houses.
Rodriguez talked about the story while he was mic’d up during the All-Star Game.
After the game, he shared this hilarious comment apologizing to his former neighbors.
Yea my bad to the old neighbors 🫣😂 https://t.co/UywTjlG72x
— Julio Rodriguez🇩🇴🦁 (@JRODshow44) July 12, 2023
Maybe that was for the best because Rodriguez learned to start hitting the ball the opposite way to avoid hitting houses.
That could be one of the main reasons he became a polished hitter at such a young age.
Rodriguez showed off that home run power in the Home Run Derby on Monday night.
He put on a show for his hometown fans and did not have to worry about hitting any houses over the left-field wall.
As the Mariners get set for the second half, they need Rodriguez to return to his elite form.
So far this season he is batting .249 with 13 home runs, 49 RBI, and 22 stolen bases.
Yet the Mariners sit six games out in the division and four games out of the Wild Card.
If Rodriguez can get hot in the second half, he is good enough to carry the Mariners back into the playoffs.
NEXT: Mariners Insider Predicts Team Will Pursue Shohei Ohtani This Winter
