Sports

Manny Machado is First IronBird to Make All-Star Game

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado was named to the American League All-Star team on Saturday. The news, coming on his 21st birthday, makes him the first former IronBird named to an All-Star game.

By Sean Welsh

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado was named to the American League All-Star team Saturday evening, making him the first former Aberdeen IronBirds player to earn the honor.

Machado, a first-round pick in 2010, learned the news Saturday evening—his 21st birthday.

The former IronBirds shortstop—who batted .345 in seven games with the IronBirds late in 2010—leads the major leagues with 39 doubles in his first full major league season. He debuted with the Orioles in 2012 and has started every game at third base since.

Machado is a reserve for the American League squad. Teammates Adam Jones, Chris Davis and J.J. Hardy were voted in as starters in fan balloting. 

Nick Markakis, another former IronBird, was in third place in voting for the three starting outfield spots for much of June, but was overtaken by former Oriole Jose Bautista, now a slugger for the Blue Jays.

The IronBirds debuted in 2002 after the organization now known as Ripken Baseball purchased the Utica BlueSox and moved the club to Aberdeen. 

The club has yet to have a winning season in Aberdeen, but has sent a number of players to the majors.

Not included on the list, though, is All-Star catcher Matt Wieters. The former first-round pick worked out with the IronBirds in 2007, but was never activated by the team.

TELL US: Did you see Manny Machado during his brief time with the IronBirds? Leave a comment.


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