The Orioles will see a familiar face on the field today as Manny Machado suits up for the Dominican Republic during the World Baseball Classic. (Jon Meoli/Baltimore Sun video)
Since making his decision last April to play for the Dominican Republic in this year's World Baseball Classic, Orioles third baseman Manny Machado received the question frequently, as if he was taking a potshot at his patriotism by choosing his Dominican roots over his home nation.
Why would the Miami-born Machado choose the Dominican over playing for the United States?
Many Americans play for other teams in the World Baseball Classic, but most aren't stars like Machado, who can pick his team — much like he is on pace to do two offseasons from now when the career-long Oriole reaches free agency.