Padres rookie Jackson Merrill keeps playing, keeps starring: ‘He’s a bad dude’
New York TimesLOS ANGELES — It was 41 months ago, during the COVID-19 pandemic, that the Severna Park High baseball team embarked on a season that lasted a handful of weeks. “Man, that guy is different,” former Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts said after the Padres evened their National League Division Series with a 10-2 win. He knows he’s a bad dude, and he feels it, and he believes it, and that’s who he is.” Eleven years ago, Merrill was a preteen cheering from afar as Bogaerts and Merrill’s then-favorite player, Dustin Pedroia, defeated the St. Louis Cardinals in six October games. “He’s never, which clearly is something that you’ve got to experience at some point,” Shildt said before Saturday’s series opener. And he’s got a great, long career ahead of him.” “What this kid has done for this team this year is just amazing,” said Tatis, who, in his first postseason in front of fans, has again looked like one of the game’s top superstars.
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