Tuesday night was the 2021 MLB All Star Game, which aired on Fox. 40 of the best players in the entire game of baseball gave the fans in attendance, and those watching at home, an entertaining game, and a matchup that was won by the American League in a score of 5-2.
The game saw 20 of the best players in the American League face off against the 20 best players from the National League. For the eighth straight year, the American League came out victorious, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., of the Toronto Blue Jays, was given the distinct honor of All-Star Game MVP. At just 22 years old, the stud Canadian-Dominican player became the youngest to ever win the award.
A first-time All-Star this year, Guerrero Jr. is putting together a stellar season, making a case for his candidacy for American League MVP. According to Yahoo Sports, Guerrero Jr. is leading the league in three major categories: batting percentage, with an impressive .332, on-base percentage, with a staggering .430, an OPS of 1.089, and an RBI of 73. Needless to say, this will be the first of many All-Star appearances for one of the rising superstars in Major League Baseball.
Another major part of the MLB All-Star Game, and this entire season, was the performance of Los Angeles Angels superstar, Shohei Ohtani. Not only was he named the starting pitcher for the game, but he was also chosen to bat first, an honor that goes to the true best-of-the-best. American League manager, Kevin Cash, spoke about Ohtani and Guerrero Jr.’s impacts on this year’s season, saying, “Those guys have so much on their plate and the way they handle it with such humility, class and go about their business, that’s probably the thing that stands out.”
At the top of the third inning, Guerrero Jr. went up to bat and hit an insane home run that went 468 feet and brought his team up 2-0. Speaking through an interpreter, Guerrero Jr. spoke about his feelings after winning the award. “Dreams come true. Since I was a kid I’ve always been thinking about this moment. I’ve worked all my life, very hard, and thank God it’s happening now.”
Now Guerrero Jr. turns his focus back to the Blue Jays, who are currently sitting in third place in the AL East and fighting for a spot in the AL Wild Card Game. What’s clear is that future of the MLB is bright, with young superstars Shohei Ohtani and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. influencing the game at the highest level, representing baseball in the best way possible.
