Rivalries in baseball are passionate rivalries, enshrined in growing tension. One player from a team gets beaned? An on-field scuffle is sure to erupt.
The rivalry between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox has long been hailed as one of the greatest rivalries in professional sports, and the in-state rivalry between the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers has picked up steam as well.
But under it all, they're all still human beings all playing a game that means everything to them.
And according to Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune, San Diego Padres star outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. doesn't draw the lines at rivalries, especially when it comes to memorabilia, who disclosed a few players he is wishing to one day be in possession of a jersey of theirs.
"Definitely have a couple players on my mind, guys that at least say hi and check in," Tatis Jr. said. "Doesn't have to be a relationship, but just a good guy and a great player."
Tatis would then go on to name three former MVPs he hoped to get a jersey from, Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr., New York Yankees slugger and two-time reigning AL MVP Aaron Judge, and Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman.
While Tatis and the 2020 NL MVP Freeman trading jerseys would surely test the limits of the ever-growing rivalry between their two teams, but it also goes to show the respect that Tatis has for good players and good people, even if they're on a team that he can't stand.
Not to mention, Freeman is notorious amongst players and fans for being a respectable player and well-liked by his fellow competitors, off-field drama never damaging his Hall of Fame-worthy career, so maybe the Padres fans can understand their star outfielder and the now nine-time All-Star sharing a moment.