Manfred is a big believer in Judge

Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred says Aaron Judge is the kind of player “who can become the face of the game.”

Speaking to the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, Manfred called Judge “absolutely phenomenal.”

He said: “I mean, there is no other word to describe it. He is a tremendous talent on the field and really appealing off the field.”

The New York Yankees rookie, who leads the major leagues with 30 home runs, won Monday night’s All-Star Home Run Derby.

Marlins’ deal close

Manfred said the Miami Marlins are soon expected to choose a winning bid from among three investment groups seeking to buy the team, and all have offered about the same amount of money.

Manfred said the three groups are working on financial structuring, legal issues and due diligence in preparation for a purchase.

One investment group includes former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, former Braves pitcher Tom Glavine and Massachusetts businessman Tagg Romney. A second group is led by former New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, a 14-time All-Star. The third group is led by South Florida businessman Jorge Mas.

Jeffrey Loria has owned the Marlins since 2002.

Political baseball

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen ripped his own team’s fans after teammates Corey Seager and Justin Turner failed to get voted in as All-Star starters. The fans, in turn, immediately blamed it on the Electoral College.

Baseball quiz

The Oakland A’s backup plan is:

A. “Moneyball 2.0” B. Having Roto Rooter on speed dial

Quote marks

Syndicated columnist Norman Chad, on MLB games averaging a record-worst 3 hours, 8 minutes this season: “Watching baseball on TV these days is like putting a pot of water on medium heat and waiting for it to boil.”

■Bob Molinaro, in the Norfolk Virginian-Pilot, on a friend who said two or three Orioles pitchers should’ve gotten All-Star invites: “They’re more than qualified, he said, to pitch in the Home Run Derby.”

Cubs manager Joe Maddon, to MLB.com, on outfielder Jon Jay — pressed into mop-up mound duty during a blowout loss — throwing pitches clocked as slow as 47 mph: “He had a change-up to his change-up.”

At AmazinAvenue.com on July 4: “Mets declare independence from division race.”

Capt. Earthman dies

A beloved beer vendor who had worked at Coors Field since the Colorado Rockies’ first season died.

Brent Doeden, better known as Captain Earthman, was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer last August. He died last week at home in Arvada at age 61. His wife, Becky Scharfenberg, told the Denver Post he was surrounded by four of his six daughters and four grandchildren.

Doeden was known for his friendliness, booming voice, handcrafted hats and peanut earrings. His wife says every person he met was the most important person to him at that moment, and he made them feel that way.