Young athletes often dream of making it big with your best friends and enjoying all the fruits that life has to offer. That dream became a reality for the so-called 305 Boys, a group of Miami peloteros that includes Orioles third baseman Manny Machado, As first baseman Yonder Alonso, Cubs centerfielder Jon Jay, and Cubs outfielder Albert Almora Jr.
Bleacher Report went deep on the foursome, who grew up together in Miami (hence, the “305” part of 305 Boys). As the MLB All Star game made its way to Miami, the group couldn’t help but come together and remember how they all became friends.
Alonso made his first All Star appearance Tuesday night for the American League, while Jay and Machado enjoyed a nice vacation from the game in their hometown with their families. “It will mean a lot for family and friends, and for the city of Miami and for people I know, like my first teachers to high school teachers, to baseball coaches, to all of the kids I know, to people who helped me and my family survive in the city of Miami. I will be numb. I will have tears.”
More than anything, it’s Miami pride that has bound the 305 Boys forever. “You have so many ballplayers from Miami, and we wear it proudly,” Alonso says. “We understand the mentality. It’s us against the world. It’s a survivalist instinct. Miami guys, we stick together. That’s how it is, and I think it’s always going to be that way.”
That loyalty sees them still getting together these days, with no hopes of slowing down. They rent homes close to each other in the offseason and meet up often. “It’s cool,” Jay says. “Our wives get together and talk, and if we play in each other’s cities, we’ll coordinate whether the wives can get to go or not.”
You can read the entire 305 Boys profile on Bleacher Report, here.