The American League out hit the National League in this year’s MLB All-Star Game to with a 6-3 win that secured the AL home field advantage in this year’s World Series. However, the game itself was just the perfect end to an already great All-Star Week.
Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati, Ohio hosted the week’s festivities, which include the Futures’ Game, the Home Run Derby and the All-Star Game. The Futures’ Game featured the best prospects from the US and the World against each other. Cincinnati is a great baseball town with amazing baseball history, making it the perfect place to host the All-Star Game.
The major league festivities started on July 13 with the Home Run Derby. This year’s Derby featured a new set of rules; players had four minutes and unlimited swings to hit as many home runs as they could, in lieu of the 10 out system that has been used in the past (anything that wasn’t a home run counted as an out). The new system also pitted players against each other in a bracket system. Both the time limit and the one-on-one system increased the pressure and drama.
What made this year’s Derby so great wasn’t just the new format; everyone performed well. Last year, most batters hit less than 10 home runs total. This year, there was an average of 11 home runs per batter. Rookies Kris Bryant (Chicago Cubs) and Joc Pederson (Los Angeles Dodgers) performed well; Bryant lost to veteran Albert Pujols (LA Angels) in the first round, but Pederson defeated Pujols in the semifinals to go onto the final round in a matchup that highlighted the emergence of so many young players. But in an ending that the MLB front offices couldn’t have scripted any better, hometown favorite Todd Frazier—he’s played for the Cincinnati Reds his entire career—out-slugged Pederson to win the Home Run Derby 15-14 in front of a sold out crowd chanting his name. It was probably the best Home Run Derby in years.
The next day—July 14—was the actual game. The Rockies had three players on the field: third baseman Nolan Arenado, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and second baseman DJ LeMahieu who somewhat accidentally ended up starting the game. Normally, fans vote in the starters, but Miami Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon was injured just before the break, so NL manager Bruce Boche chose LeMahieu to take his place. Tulowitzki then took the open spot on the roster.
During the game’s opening ceremonies, each team’s Franchise Four were unveiled. Voting for each team’s four most influential franchise players took place prior to the All-Star Break. The Rockies’ were first basemen Todd Helton and Andres Galarraga, outfielder Larry Walker and Tulowitzki. Honoring so many great baseball players was a nice touch, but even more special was the announcement of the Franchise Four Greatest Living Players. Cincinnati Reds catcher Johnny Bench, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Sandy Koufax, San Francisco Giants outfielder Willie Mays and Atlanta Braves outfielder Hank Aaron all took the field to cheers and looks of awe and respect from the current players.
As for the actual All-Star Game, none of the three Rockies got hits, but then again, neither did many other people. The NL only had six hits and the AL pitching held them to only three runs. All-Star Games are traditionally dominated by the pitchers since each pitcher only comes in for an inning or two and is at his best. The AL had the upper hand all game long after Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout lead off the game with a home run. The 23-year-old went 2-3 and would be the game’s MVP for the second year in the row.
Tulowitzki only got one at-bat, grounding out in the 6th as the replacement designated hitter. LeMahieu went 0-2, but made a couple of good plays at second in five innings. Arenado replaced Frazier at third base in the top of the seventh and played the rest of the game. Nevertheless, it was fantastic to see the Rockies well-represented.
The All-Star Game is all about showcasing the best players and it certainly did that, especially the pitching. Mets pitcher Jacob DeGrom was particularly fun to watch. He pitched the sixth inning, threw 10 pitches, nine of which were strikes and struck out the side. It was a dominating performance for the 272 pick in the 2010 draft.
Overall, it was a great All-Star week. It reflected on past greatness while showcasing the young talent that is going to shape the league for the next decade. It’s too bad that the NL didn’t win and that Nolan Arenado didn’t hit the game-winning home run, but it’s just a game. And there’s always next year.
