Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. If you’d like to submit a question, send it to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com. Questions may be edited for clarity, length and style.
Question: Do you foresee Baltimore hosting an All-Star Game soon? From: Seth Mendelsohn
Answer: Seth, that question was also asked by another reader, who identified himself as carlvas.
The next opening for an All-Star Game is 2027. Atlanta and Philadelphia are scheduled to host the 2025 and 2026 games.
I think the Orioles will get one in the next few years, though it may not be in 2027. The team would like to show off a refurbished Oriole Park, and I’m not sure if those renovations will be completed by July 2027. I certainly think they’re on the short list for an All-Star Game in the next several years.
Question: Do you believe Manny Machado is a future Hall of Famer? From: Timothy Fowler
Answer: Timothy, I think Machado is on his way to the Hall of Fame. Machado has a 55.9 WAR (Wins Above Replacement), which would put him in Hall of Fame territory already.
He’s a six-time All-Star, a two-time Gold Glover and has received MVP votes in six seasons. As for the “counting” stats, Machado, who turned 32 on Saturday, has 325 home runs, just under 1,000 RBIs and 1,825 hits. Those stats will climb, and if he has three or four more excellent seasons, he’ll be a certain Hall of Famer.