SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.–Fifteen years ago, Andrew Suárez’s Broward Bulldogs took on Manny Machado’s Hialeah Chiefs in travel ball.
On Saturday, Suárez’s San Francisco Giants hosted Machado’s San Diego Padres at Scottsdale Stadium.
It’s been more than a decade since Suárez and Machado regularly faced each other, but that will soon change. After Machado signed a 10-year, $300 million contract with the Padres this offseason, the Giants expect to see him 19 times each season.
“The Padres are good now,” Suárez said. “Facing Manny is going to be fun, I’ve known him since forever.”
Suárez’s stories from travel ball are chock-full of familiar names.