Eleven Legion Baseball alumni played in the 2016 MLB All-Star Game at Petco Park in San Diego.
Petco Park in San Diego played host to some of the best professional baseball players this week, including 11 former American Legion Baseball players, for the 2016 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.
The Legion Baseball alumni played in the July 12 All-Star Game, also known as the Midsummer Classic, as well as in the Future Games, All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game and Home Run Derby.
All-Star Game starters included San Diego Padres first baseman Wil Myers, Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper, Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant and Boston Red Sox center fielder Jackie Bradley, Jr. They were joined by reserve players Baltimore Orioles pitcher Brad Brach, Boston Red Sox closing pitcher Craig Kimbrel, Cincinnati Reds third baseman Todd Frazier, Houston Astros reliever Will Harris, San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner, Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer and Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager.
Bryant opened Tuesday's scoring for the National League with a blast to left center, but the American League rallied to win, 4-2, with Bradley finishing the game as the only player with at least two plate appearances to reach base in every turn at the plate. Harris was key in closing out the game with an appearance out of the bullpen.
Prior to the start of the All-Star Game, the late 1998 American Legion Baseball Graduate of the Year Tony Gwynn, nicknamed "Mr. Padre," was honored by MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred. Manfred announced that the National League and American League batting titles would be named after Gwynn and Rod Carew, respectively.
Sunday's events featured the Future Games with New Mexico Legion alum Alex Bregman ending a triple shy of a cycle in a performance so strong that the Astros are rumored to be targeting a call-up for the shortstop later this week.
Seager's starring moment of All-Star Week came on Monday night as the first batter in the Home Run Derby. The Kannapolis, N.C., native opened the evening with 15 homers, setting the tone for one of the most exciting batting showcases in All-Star Week history. New Jersey's Frazier, looking to defend his Home Run Derby crown, made another stellar run but came up just short, losing in the finals. Myers represented the home team in the Derby as well, and hit 10 homers.
The ceremonial first pitch for the Home Run Derby was thrown out by 1977 American Legion Baseball Graduate of the Year and Hall of Fame member Dave Winfield.
The All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game welcomed 1964 American Legion Baseball Player of the Year Rollie Fingers. The California native won the Legion World Series before going on to a Hall of Fame career with the Athletics, Padres and Brewers.
- Baseball