MLB All-Star Game: National League rallies to end 9-game losing streak
Rockies catcher Elias Diaz hits a go-ahead two-run home run in the eighth inning in a 3-2 victory in Seattle. The Dodgers’ J.D. Martinez has two hits and scores a run, and the Angels’ Shohei Ohtani goes 0 for 1 with a walk.
The Colorado Rockies’ Elias Díaz, center, celebrates his go-ahead two-run home run with the Philadelphia Phillies’ Nick Castellanos as Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman, right, looks on during the eighth inning of the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday night in Seattle. The National League All-Stars defeated their American League peers, 3-2, for their first win since 2012. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
The Dodgers’ J.D. Martinez hits a double during the fourth inning of the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole focuses before taking the mound for the American League during the first inning of the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday in Seattle. Cole (Orange Lutheran, UCLA) started the game for the first time in his career. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole throws to the plate for the American League during the first inning of the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday in Seattle. Cole (Orange Lutheran, UCLA) started the game for the first time in his career. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Adolis García of the Texas Rangers catches the ball during the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday in Seattle. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
Adolis García of the Texas Rangers catches the ball during the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
A fan holds a sign referencing Dodgers star Mookie Betts before he plays for the National League in the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
The Dodgers’ Mookie Betts strikes out in the third inning during the MLB All-Star baseball game in Seattle, Tuesday, July 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman bats for the National League during the first inning of the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman bats for the National League during the first inning of the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen throws to the plate for the National League during the first inning of the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Angels star Shohei Ohtani looks on during the 93rd MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard at T-Mobile Park on July 11, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Angels star Shohei Ohtani smiles as he steps into the batter’s box during the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday night at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. Mariners fans in the crowd did their best to try to sell the pending free agent on the idea of making Seattle his future home. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado stays ready in the field during the MLB All-Star Game at T-Mobile Park on July 11, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Angels star Shohei Ohtani strikes out during the first inning of the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Angels star Shohei Ohtani strikes out during the first inning of the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Angels star Shohei Ohtani strikes out during the first inning of the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman gestures as he represents the National League during the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Angels star Shohei Ohtani reacts during the first inning of the 93rd MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard at T-Mobile Park on July 11, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts fields a fly out by Josh Jung, of the Texas Rangers, in the third inning during the MLB All-Star baseball game in Seattle, Tuesday, July 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
The Dodgers’ J.D. Martinez hits a single during the second inning of the MLB All-Star baseball game in Seattle, Tuesday, July 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
The American League’s Yandy Díaz (2), of the Tampa Bay Rays, is greeted at the plate by Adolis García (53), of the Texas Rangers, after hitting a solo home run in the second inning during the MLB All-Star baseball game in Seattle, Tuesday, July 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Josiah Gray of the Washington Nationals pitches during the MLB All-Star Game at T-Mobile Park on July 11, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Alex Cobb of the San Francisco Giants pitches during the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ J.D. Martinez hits a double in the fourth inning during the MLB All-Star baseball game in Seattle, Tuesday, July 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
The Dodgers’ J.D. Martinez runs down the first base line after hitting a double in the fourth inning during the MLB All-Star baseball game in Seattle, Tuesday, July 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
The Dodgers’ J.D. Martinez reacts on second base as American League’s Marcus Semien (2), of the Texas Rangers, watches after Martinez hit a double in the fourth inning during the baseball All-Star baseball Game in Seattle, Tuesday, July 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
The Dodgers’ J.D. Martinez rounds third base during the 93rd MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard at T-Mobile Park on July 11, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ J.D. Martinez scores on a single by Luis Arraez, of the Miami Marlins, in the fourth inning during the MLB All-Star baseball game in Seattle, Tuesday, July 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Luis Arraez of the Miami Marlins reacts during the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
American League pitcher George Kirby, of the Seattle Mariners, reacts after giving up an RBI single to the National League’s Luis Arraez, of the Miami Marlins in the fourth inning during the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Angels star Shohei Ohtani swings at a pitch during the fourth inning of the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Angels star Shohei Ohtani takes ball four as he draws a walk during the fourth inning of the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Angels star Shohei Ohtani trots to first base after drawing a walk during the fourth inning of the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Angels star Shohei Ohtani reacts during the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Angels star Shohei Ohtani slides safely into third base during the fourth inning of the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
A fan holds a sign for Angels star Shohei Ohtani during the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday in Seattle. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Angels star Shohei Ohtani reacts during the 93rd MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard at T-Mobile Park on July 11, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado throws to first base during the MLB All-Star Game at T-Mobile Park on July 11, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Angels relief pitcher Carlos Estévez throws to the plate for the American League during the fifth inning of the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Angels relief pitcher Carlos Estévez throws to the plate for the American League during the fifth inning of the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday in Seattle. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Angels relief pitcher Carlos Estévez celebrates an out for the American League during the fifth inning of the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Austin Riley of the Atlanta Braves fields the ball during the MLB All-Star Game at T-Mobile Park on July 11, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Angels star Shohei Ohtani is interviewed in the dugout with his translator, left, during the fifth inning of the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Fans reach for a foul ball during the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday in Seattle. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
Adley Rutschman of the Baltimore Orioles bats during the MLB All-Star Game at T-Mobile Park on July 11, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Sean Murphy of the Atlanta Braves looks on during the MLB All-Star Game at T-Mobile Park on July 11, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
The Tampa Bay Rays’ Wander Franco bats during the MLB All-Star Game at T-Mobile Park on July 11, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Players, coaches, and fans hold “Stand Up To Cancer” cards at the end of the fifth inning during the MLB All-Star Game at T-Mobile Park on July 11, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Yennier Cano of the Baltimore Orioles pitches during the MLB All-Star Game at T-Mobile Park on July 11, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., left, and the San Diego Padres’ Juan Soto talk during the MLB All-Star Game at T-Mobile Park on July 11, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Alexis Díaz of the Cincinnati Reds pitches during the MLB All-Star Game at T-Mobile Park on July 11, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
The Kansas City Royals’ Salvador Perez, center, greets Bo Bichette, of the Toronto Blue Jays, after Perez scored on Bichette’s sacrifice fly during the sixth inning of the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Detroit Tigers pitcher Michael Lorenzen throws to the plate for the American League during the seventh inning of the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Nick Castellanos of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts during the MLB All-Star Game at T-Mobile Park on July 11, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman, left, and Detroit Tigers pitcher Michael Lorenzen chat as they walk off the field for the American League during the seventh inning of the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday in Seattle. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Camilo Doval of the San Francisco Giants pitches during the MLB All-Star Game at T-Mobile Park on July 11, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Felix Bautista of the Baltimore Orioles pitches during the MLB All-Star Game at T-Mobile Park on July 11, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Felix Bautista of the Baltimore Orioles pitches during the MLB All-Star Game at T-Mobile Park on July 11, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
The National League’s Elias Díaz, of the Colorado Rockies, hits a two-run home run in the eighth inning during the MLB All-Star baseball game in Seattle, Tuesday, July 11, 2023. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
The National League’s Elias Díaz, of the Colorado Rockies hits a two-run home run in the eighth inning during the MLB All-Star baseball game in Seattle, Tuesday, July 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
The National League’s Elias Díaz, of the Colorado Rockies, hits a two-run home run in the eight inning during the 93rd MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard at T-Mobile Park on July 11, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
The National League’s Elias Díaz, of the Colorado Rockies, rounds first base on his two-run home run in the eighth inning during the MLB All-Star baseball game in Seattle, Tuesday, July 11, 2023. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
American League pitcher Félix Bautista, of the Baltimore Orioles, reacts with catcher Adley Rutschman, of the Baltimore Orioles, after giving up a two run home run to National League’s Elias Díaz, of the Colorado Rockies, in the eighth inning during the MLB All-Star baseball game in Seattle, Tuesday, July 11, 2023. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
The National League’s Elias Díaz, of the Colorado Rockies, celebrates his two-run home run in the eighth inning during the MLB All-Star baseball game in Seattle, Tuesday, July 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
The Colorado Rockies’ Elias Díaz, center, celebrates his go-ahead two-run home run with the Philadelphia Phillies’ Nick Castellanos as Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman, right, looks on during the eighth inning of the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday night in Seattle. The National League All-Stars defeated their American League peers, 3-2, for their first win since 2012. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
The National League’s Elias Díaz, of the Colorado Rockies, celebrates his two-run home run in the eighth inning during the MLB All-Star baseball game in Seattle, Tuesday, July 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
American League manager Dusty Baker, of the Houston Astros, pulls Félix Bautista (74), of the Baltimore Orioles, after he gave up a two run home run to National League’s Elias Díaz, of the Colorado Rockies, in the eighth inning of the the MLB All-Star baseball game in Seattle, Tuesday, July 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Kenley Jansen throws to the plate for the American League during the eighth inning of the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Josh Hader of the San Diego Padres pitches during the eighth inning of the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday in Seattle. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Padres relief pitcher Josh Hader, right, celebrates with Dodgers catcher Will Smith as they play for the National League during the eighth inning of the All-Star Game on Tuesday night in Seattle. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Pablo López of the Minnesota Twins pitches during the MLB All-Star Game at T-Mobile Park on July 11, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Phillies relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel throws to the plate for the National League during the ninth inning of the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday night in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Elias Díaz #35 of the Colorado Rockies and Orlando Arcia #11 of the Atlanta Braves react during the 93rd MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard at T-Mobile Park on July 11, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Phillies relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel celebrates after the final out of the National League’s 3-2 victory over the American League in the ninth inning of the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday night in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Elias Díaz #35 of the Colorado Rockies and Orlando Arcia #11 of the Atlanta Braves react during the 93rd MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard at T-Mobile Park on July 11, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Dodgers catcher Will Smith, left, greets Phillies relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel after as the final out as they helped the National League defeat the American League, 3-2, in the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday night in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
The National League’s Pete Alonso (20), of the New York Mets, celebrates with teammates after defeating the American League 3-2 in the MLB All-Star baseball game in Seattle, Tuesday, July 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
The National League’s Lourdes Gurriel Jr., of the Arizona Diamondbacks, and Juan Soto, of the San Diego Padres, celebrate with teammates after defeating the American League 3-2 in the MLB All-Star baseball game in Seattle, Tuesday, July 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Colorado Rockies catcher Elias Díaz, holds up his All-Star Game MVP award after his two-run home run in the eighth inning helped the National League tp a 3-2 victory over the American League on Tuesday night in Seattle. A first-time All-Star at age 32, he put his name on an award won by some of the most famous names ever to play the sport. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
National League’s Elias Díaz (35), of the Colorado Rockies, holds up his MVP award after the MLB All-Star baseball game in Seattle, Tuesday, July 11, 2023. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Former Seattle Mariners star Ken Griffey Jr. waves to fans prior to the 93rd MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Dodgers catcher Will Smith, left, and Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw look on before representing the National League in the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday in Seattle. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
A view of T-Mobile Park prior to the 93rd MLB All-Star Game on July 11, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
From left, former Seattle Mariners players Dan Wilson, Jay Buhner, Edgar Martinez, and Ken Griffey Jr. pose prior to the 93rd MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday in Seattle. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
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The Dodgers’ J.D. Martinez hits a double during the fourth inning of the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
SEATTLE — Shining brightly in the Emerald City, the National League snapped a losing streak that lasted more than a decade.
An unheralded catcher from Colorado delivered the big blow.
Elias Díaz hit a two-run homer off Félix Bautista in the eighth inning, and the NL snapped a nine-game losing streak in the All-Star Game with a 3-2 victory over the American League on Tuesday night.
“It feels incredible. When we all got here, we all talked about how we were going to bring home the win,” said Díaz, who was non-tendered by the Pittsburgh Pirates at the end of 2019. “I just didn’t realize it was going to be me to bring home the win.”
Díaz drove a 2-and-2 pitch from Baltimore’s hard-throwing closer deep to left to put the NL in front. Díaz was the lone representative for Colorado in his first All-Star Game appearance.
“It does matter. We wanted to win, the American League we wanted to win,” Bautista said through an interpreter. “But overall I think that it’s an experience I’ll never forget and just wish that would have been a little bit different.”
Díaz has nine homers this season, but he hadn’t hit a long ball since June 23 against the Angels.
“As soon as he walked in the clubhouse and I met him, he said, ‘I’ll do anything you want. If I play, I play. If I don’t, I don’t. I’m just so happy to be here,’” NL manager Rob Thomson said. “So for him to do that, it’s fantastic.”
For most of the night, the All-Star Game was a pitchers’ duel highlighted by a couple of big hits and some excellent defense.
It was a relatively quiet night for most of the players representing the Dodgers and Angels.
Angels star Shohei Ohtani started at designated hitter for the AL and went 0 for 1 with a walk and a strikeout. He was voted into the game as a pitcher as well, but he had ruled out pitching in the game last week.
“Never experienced anything like that, but I definitely heard it,” Ohtani said through his interpreter. “But I was trying to focus on my at-bat.”
Angels relief pitcher Carlos Estévez pitched a scoreless fifth inning with two strikeouts.
The Dodgers’ J.D. Martinez started at DH for the NL and went 2 for 2 with a double and scored a run, but he was the only Dodger to get a hit. Mookie Betts went 0 for 2 with a strikeout, while Freddie Freeman and Will Smith each went 0 for 1 with a walk. Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw was elected to the game but is injured and did not play.
Things got nerve-wracking for the NL with Philadelphia closer Craig Kimbrel on the mound in the ninth.
“I threw way more pitches than I wanted to on an off day,” Kimbrel joked.
Wander Franco led off with a fly ball to the warning track, and Kimbrel issued two-out walks to Houston’s Kyle Tucker and Seattle star Julio Rodríguez.
The 22-year-old Rodríguez was in position to close it out in front of his home crowd.
“I was definitely trying to win it. But it was a situation where I had to pass the baton,” he said.
Kimbrel recovered to strike out Cleveland’s José Ramírez to end it. Kimbrel also pitched in the previous NL win, recording two outs in 2012.
“The ninth inning in the dugout was just a lot of fun to experience,” said San Diego’s Josh Hader, who pitched the eighth for the NL.
Tampa Bay’s Yandy Díaz hit a solo homer in the second inning and Toronto’s Bo Bichette’s sacrifice fly in the sixth inning gave the AL a 2-1 lead.
The Dodgers’ Martinez – doubled and scored on a single by Miami’s Luis Arraez in the fourth against Seattle’s George Kirby, tying it at 1-1. Arizona’s Lourdes Gurriel Jr. appeared to tie the score again in the seventh when his shot down the left-field line was originally ruled a homer but was overturned as a foul ball on replay.
The All-Star Game returned to Seattle for the first time since 2001 when the Mariners were in the middle of their magical 116-win regular season, Orioles legend Cal Ripken Jr. said goodbye to the All-Star stage and Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda took a tumble.
Gerrit Cole (Orange Lutheran High, UCLA) became the first New York Yankees pitcher to start the All-Star Game since Roger Clemens in that 2001 game. He needed a pair of spectacular leaping catches from Adolis García and Randy Arozarena near the wall to escape the first inning unscathed.
Pitching was the story of the night. Only nine balls were hit over 100 mph. There were 20 combined strikeouts, including Camilo Doval silencing the home crowd with a strikeout of Rodríguez in the seventh inning when four of the five pitches topped 100 mph.
“You can tell, our guys, we wanted to win. They wanted to win,” AL manager Dusty Baker said. “There was a lot of pride out there and a lot of competitiveness out there. You could tell by the energy on both sides and the energy in the ballpark.”
INJURIES
Toronto reliever Jordan Romano left in the seventh after throwing the pitch that Gurriel hit foul and was originally ruled fair. He threw five pitches before leaving the game with tightness in his back.
Chicago White Sox slugger Luis Robert Jr. did not play after feeling tightness in his right calf during the Home Run Derby. The White Sox said Robert underwent an MRI in Seattle and is listed as day to day.
SIX PACK
The Rangers made All-Star history when Nathan Eovaldi took the mound in the second. That marked the third time in an All-Star Game when there were six players from the same team on the field at the same time. It also occurred with the 1939 Yankees and 1951 Dodgers.
The Baseball Hall of Fame said a ball signed by all six players in the game would be headed to Cooperstown.
“That’s got to be one of the cooler moments in sports when you’ve got half the team on the field is your team, especially under these circumstances,” catcher Jonah Heim said. “It’s really special and I was glad I got to share it with these guys today.”
ATLANTA, WRIGLEY FIELD IN THE MIX FOR FUTURE GAMES
The Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs are under consideration for upcoming All-Star Games.
Next year’s game is scheduled for the Texas Rangers’ Globe Life Field in Arlington, and the 2026 game will be at Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
The 2021 All-Star Game was awarded to Atlanta’s Truist Park by Major League Baseball in 2019 but in April 2021 was moved to Denver’s Coors Field following objections to sweeping changes to Georgia’s voting laws.
“Atlanta is in the mix of clubs for the ’25 All-Star Game,” Commissioner Rob Manfred told the Baseball Writers’ Association of America on Tuesday. “I’m not prepared to go past that for right now.”
Chicago’s Wrigley Field last hosted the All-Stars in 1990.
“As time goes by, I’ve been more focused on keeping track of when a game was last there and trying to get back to places where we haven’t been in a really long time,” Manfred said. “That’s a long time.”
SKIPPED OVER
The Tampa Bay duo of Shane McClanahan and Wander Franco were inadvertently skipped over during pregame introductions. The pair jogged in on their own and left it to the Rays’ social media staff to give them a proper announcement.
ODE TO THE SONICS
Milwaukee’s Devin Williams has no known connection to Seattle, but he did his part in winning over fans with his footwear choice for the All-Star Game. Williams had custom green and yellow spikes made for the game, featuring past logos of the Seattle SuperSonics on each shoe.
Williams said he’s a casual NBA fan and doesn’t really remember the Sonics playing in Seattle.
“It seemed pretty fitting for the game,” Williams said.
MARINERS HONORED
Six of the eight members of Seattle’s All-Star contingent from the 2001 game were recognized pregame. John Olerud, Bret Boone, Freddy Garcia, Jeff Nelson, Kazuhiro Sasaki, Edgar Martinez and Manager Lou Piniella were honored. Ichiro Suzuki and Mike Cameron were also on the All-Star team that season.
Baseball Hall of Famers Martinez and Ken Griffey Jr. threw out the ceremonial first pitches to former teammates Dan Wilson and Jay Buhner.
UP NEXT
The post-All-Star break portion of the schedule starts Friday with every team in the league scheduled to be in action.