July 13 EST: There’s sportsmanship—and then there’s what Max Fried just did.
In a league often lit by egos and fueled by contract incentives, Fried made a call that didn’t show up in the box score but resonated across every dugout in the majors. With the All-Star Game looming at Truist Park, Fried, the Yankees’ $160 million ace, looked across the aisle and told Tarik Skubal—you take it.
Not a throwaway offer. Not some PR-crafted shrug. Fried meant it.
“He asked me if I wanted to start,” Skubal said, sounding like he was still trying to process it. “It was actually a really cool conversation.”
Cool? Try classy, gutsy, and rare.
Let’s be clear: Fried earned a claim to that mound. The 11–3 record, the 2.43 ERA, and the workload of 20 starts says he could’ve taken the ball without a peep of protest. But as the All-Star stars aligned over his former stomping ground in Atlanta, Fried saw the moment—and gave it to someone else.
Because sometimes greatness isn’t just what you throw. It’s what you give away.
Skubal’s Season Was Built for This
And make no mistake—Skubal is the guy who deserved it. This isn’t some charity handoff. Skubal’s been an absolute menace on the mound this season.
He’s got a 10–3 record, a jaw-dropping 2.23 ERA, and more command than a drill sergeant. His 153 strikeouts to just 16 walks isn’t just good—it’s historically elite. This is a man who’s rewriting the scouting reports every fifth day.
You can see it in the swagger, the precision, the calm. You can hear it in the reverent way hitters talk about him postgame—like they just saw something they weren’t sure was real.
And now he gets to start the 2025 All-Star Game—not because of a fan vote or a manager’s hunch, but because one ace tipped his cap to another.
Boone Made It Official, But Fried Made It Happen
Aaron Boone, Yankees skipper and this year’s AL All-Star manager, sealed the deal. But the moment started with Fried.
This wasn’t just an opt-out over a nagging blister—though Fried did exit his last start with one, a smart call given the Yankees’ October ambitions. This was a moment of clarity from a guy who’s been there before. Fried knew what it meant.
He pitched eight seasons in Atlanta. He knows what a home crowd feels like. And maybe that’s why it hit harder. He didn’t seize the narrative—he shaped it, handed it over.
That’s more than class. That’s leadership.
The Game Gets a Story, Not Just a Statline
We’ll see what Skubal does Tuesday night when the lights go up. Maybe he carves up the NL with that rising fastball and leaves fans checking Wikipedia to see how they missed this guy for so long. Or maybe he stumbles a bit—it happens. But the moment already belongs to him.
And Fried? He’ll be watching, maybe wincing at that blister, but more likely smiling.
Because here’s the secret: real ballplayers know it’s not just about the game you pitch. It’s about the game you leave behind for the next one.
Fried just reminded us of that. Skubal’s about to prove why it mattered.
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A former college-level cricketer and lifelong sports enthusiast, Arun Upadhayay brings the heart of an athlete to the sharp eye of a journalist. With firsthand experience in competitive sports and a deep understanding of team dynamics, Arun covers everything from grassroots tournaments to high-stakes international showdowns. His reporting blends field-level grit with analytical precision, making him a trusted voice for sports fans across New Jersey and beyond.
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