LOS ANGELES – Dodger Stadium was loaded with baseball stars on the field, performers and motionpicture stars in the seats, so naturally, the 92nd All-Star Game called for a Hollywood script, too.
So why not have a kid who grew up 30 minutes away from Los Angeles, hit a house run in almost the exactsame row in the left-field structure that he viewed videogames with his daddy, 457 feet away from house plate, and win the All-Star Game MVP award Tuesday night in the American League’s 3-2 triumph.
Giancarlo Stanton, welcome back to Los Angeles.
Stanton, the New York Yankees’ slugger, strolled into the American League clubhouse after his press conference, and the minute his All-Star colleagues saw him, began shouting, “MVP-MVP.’’
He broke into a big, extensive grin, and couldn’t stop smiling as he offered his All-Star jersey to the Hall of Fame.
“I can’t actually discuss how unique this is,’’ Stanton stated. “It’s difficult to put into words that this is truth right now. It’s actually cool.
“I suggest, I’m soaking it all in.’’
Stanton, a five-time All-Star, MVP winner, and two-time house run champ, was asked late in the night simply where this minute ranked amongst all of his remarkable achievements.
He idea for a minute, however sorry, he had no response.
“I requirement it to sink in veryfirst to get there,’’ Stanton stated, “but it’s right up there with anything personally. …I have some objectives in terms of winning a champion, and going all the method, however personally for the roadway I’ve gone to get to, where I am now, this is extremely unique.’’
ALL-STAR GAME: Stanton, Buxton power American League to ninth straight win
DOMINANT: AL reducers take NL players to school in MLB All-Star Game
MIDSUMMER CLASSIC: Celebs include to star-studded Midsummer Classic
Stanton, who left tickets for 50 household members and pals, began getting psychological talking simply his days coming to about 15 videogames a year with his papa, sitting in left field, and hoping the left fielder would toss baseballs his method. His heroes were Dodgers right fielder Raul Mondesi and his golden arm, Hall of Fame catcher Mike Piazza, starter Hideo Nomo.
“I constantly attempted to make sure I saw (Mark) McGwire, (Sammy) Sosa, (Barry) Bonds, even for 2 at-bats. I’d simply attempt to drive down here, get a ticket off the street, and come attempt to see what they can do in 2 at-bats.
“All of that covers around in complete circle when I’m out there.’’
The sellout crowd of 52,518 were dealtwith to Academy-award star Denzel Washington paying homage to Jackie Robinson, Dodgers All-Star Mookie Betts asking the crowd to sing “Happy Birthday’’ to Rachel Robinson, who turned 100 Tuesday, and future Dodgers Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw on the mound dealingwith the videogame’s biggest gamer in two-way star Shohei Ohtani of the Angels.
The location was rocking when Betts drove in the videogame’s initially run, and Paul Goldschmidt lateron homered in the veryfirst inning, offering the National League a 2-0 triumph. It was the veryfirst time the NL had a multi-run lead consideringthat the 2012 All-Star Game, which was the last time they won the mid-summer classic.
Well, a amusing thing occurred the rest of the method.
The National League went seven innings without another struck, and while they helplessly flailed away the rest of the night, they might just watch in envy when the AL put on a power screen in the 4th inning.
It began when Cleveland’s Jose Ramirez led off with a line drive to center, and one out lateron, Stanton stepped