Fernando Tatis Jr. had just filled up the box score in the All-Star Futures Game last July when he strolled into Mastro’s Steakhouse in Washington. He was 19 years old. He had half a year of Double-A ball on his resume. The dinner on the eve of the Midsummer Classic had been arranged by Dan Lozano’s MVP Sports Group, and Manny Machado, Joey Votto and Jesus Aguilar were among the attendees.
One of the agency’s youngest players could not resist sharing something with the American League’s starting shortstop.
You’re my favorite player.
Last week at Petco Park, a mere nine months after that dinner, Tatis and Machado were snapping photos on the field after an MVP Sports Group representative delivered two framed, oversized reproductions of the Sports Illustrated cover featuring the two new teammates sharing a laugh.