When the Los Angeles Dodgers acquired Manny Machado before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, they touted him as the best talent who was available at the time.
Machado was in the midst of a career season with the Baltimore Orioles, and many believed he could prove to be a difference maker for the Dodgers, who lost Corey Seager to season-ending Tommy John surgery.
Machado had flashes of brilliance but as a whole failed to meet the same level of production he provided for the Orioles. He did deliver a key triple for the Dodgers in their final regular-season series, and on Friday night had his first postseason moment with the club.
One night after going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts, Machado immediately provided a lift with a two-run home run in the first inning of Game 2. The homer was a highlight itself, but the moment went viral because a young fan in the left field pavilion caught the ball and celebrated accordingly.
As fate would have it, the fan, Donovan, was celebrating his 12th birthday. Not only did he catch Machado’s home run, he got to meet the All-Star shortstop after the Dodgers’ win.
Would you believe us if we told you that Manny knew it was Donovan’s birthday today? pic.twitter.com/2Evo1YWJyh
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 6, 2018
A surprise birthday visit from Manny. pic.twitter.com/HMgbGl1zAn
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 6, 2018
Suffice to say, Machado contributed to a birthday that may never be topped for Donovan, who himself is a shortstop.
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