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SportsPulse, USA TODAY
SEATTLE − It was a Major League Baseball All-Star Game that had the sellout crowd openly recruiting the game’s greatest player.
It featured the best pure hitter swinging the bat just twice, and getting two hits, with Luis Arraez reminding everyone of his pursuit of .400.
There was a home run and a stolen base overturned by replay challenges, but not a single pitch clock violation.
There were several dazzling defensive plays, including two in the first minute of the game, by Texas Rangers right fielder Adolis Garcia and Tampa Bay Rays left fielder Randy Arozarena, robbing the National League of two extra-base hits.
But who would ever imagine that a 32-year-old catcher from the Colorado Rockies, playing in his first All-Star Game Tuesday night, would overshadow all of the pageantry and stardom?
Elias Diaz, the first Rockies catcher to be in the All-Star Game, walked away with the biggest honor as the All-Star MVP award by hitting the game-winning two-run home run in the eighth inning, leading the National League to a thrilling, come-from-behind 3-2 victory over the American League.
The game ended with Philadelphia Phillies closer striking out Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez with runners on first and second, leaving the crowd frustrated.
It was the National League’s first victory at the All-Star Game since 2012, snapping a nine-game losing streak, and only their fourth victory in the past 26 years.
ALL-STAR GAME RECAP: National League ends losing streak, defeats American League
Yeah, baby, it was a long time coming, thanks to perhaps the most anonymous All-Star.
Diaz, who cried when he was told by Rockies manager Bud Black that he earned a spot on the All-Star team, has been around since 2008 when he was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates at the age of 17. He was dumped by the Pirates after the 2019 season, hit just .228 with a major-league leading 11 errors last year, and had his breakout season this year hitting .277 with nine homers and 45 RBI.
And a star was born Tuesday night.
The fans at T-Mobile Park still enjoyed the evening, wildly cheering for their three All-Stars, particularly center fielder Julio Rodriguez.
They were able to legally recruit Shohei Ohtani without fear of tampering, chanting: “Come to Seattle! Come to Seattle!’’
Ohtani even let every Mariners’ fan know that the cheers were appreciated, and, you know what, he loves the city.
“Every time I come here,’’ Ohtani said, “the fans are passionate. They’re really into the game. So, it’s very impressive. I actually spent a couple off-seasons in Seattle. So I like the city. It’s beautiful.’’
RECRUITING: Shohei Ohtani hears All-Star crowd’s recruiting pitch loud and clear.
Oh, and about those cheers?
“Never experienced anything like that,’’ Ohtani said, “but I definitely heard it. But I was trying to focus on my at-bat.’’
The sellout crowd of 47,159 chanted, ‘Come to Seattle’’ in his first at-bat in the first inning before he struck out, his second at-bat in the third inning before he walked, and likely will do it once again when the Los Angeles Angels visit the Mariners Sept 11-Sept. 13 for the final time this season.
Who knows, the Mariners may be setting a trend where every fanbase copies the chant the rest of the season, trying to persuade one of the greatest talents the game has known into come to their joint?
Joe Davis, the FOX-TV announcer, gave a valiant try hoping to get the Dodgers’ players to give a recruiting pitch with first baseman Freddie Freeman and right fielder Mookie Betts mic’d up for the telecast.
“They’re chanting, ‘Come to Seattle,’ Davis said, “Do you guys want to start your own chant to Shohei?’’
Freeman’s response: “That would be tampering. I’m not doing any of that. I’m going to go with all 30 teams would want Shohei on their team.’’
Well, Diaz may soon be available, too. He’s in the second year of a team-friendly three-year, $14.5 million contract, and could be on the trade block to accelerate the Rockies’ rebuild.
Diaz may not get the Ohtani treatment, but he certainly will be coveted by several contenders.
Diaz insists he won’t worry about it.
Not on this night.
He’s a star.
Follow Nightengale on Twitter: @Bnightengale
