The first time Eddy Alvarez’s dreams came true, he wrapped himself in a Team USA sweater, strode into the Opening Ceremony at Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi, Russia, and tried to hear himself think over the roar of some 40,000 fans. The second time his dreams came true, he was wearing a Miami Marlins jersey, walking up the dugout steps at Camden Yards and gazing at a sea of empty seats.
Short track speed skating, for which Alvarez won an Olympic silver medal in 2014, and baseball, for which he just became a major leaguer, don’t have much in common.