Yanks and Mets Well Represented At The All Star Game

 

By Andrew Rosario

 

 

When the 2022 All Star game took place Tuesday night in Los Angeles, both the first place New York Yankees (64-28) and the New York Mets (58-35) were well represented. The Yankees sent 6 players while the Mets sent 4. The Yanks Aaron Judge, arguably the Most Valuable Player in the first half of the season hit 33 home runs while driving in 70. Giancarlo Stanton went deep 24 times and drove in 61. Both were in the starting line-up. The other 4 Bronx Bombers were Nestor “Nasty” Cortes who won 7 games, losing 3 and had a 2.63 ERA. Ace Gerrit Cole coming of a 12-strike performance last Sunday against the Boston, record finished his first half with a 9-2 record and a 3.02 ERA. Catcher Jose Trevino was and reliever Clay Holmes were named as reserves. Trevino, lauded for handling the pitching staff, batted .251 with 7 dingers and 27 RBI. Holmes, was pressed into the closer position as Aroldis Chapman rehabbed his Achilles tendon injury. Holmes went 4-1 with a 1.31 era. Said Cortes when he was informed he was going to the mid-season classic, “all the struggles that I had coming through the system, not being a ranked prospect and not really being a good big leaguer, I guess I would say that I stayed focused. I didn’t let any negative news determine my future. I kept my head down and we’re here today. I’m grateful for the opportunity.”  

 

 

 

 

Said Holmes, “I definitely feel just grateful and blessed. There’re so many people I can thank that have been around me and are important to me. There’re times where this has felt pretty far away. Just looking back, putting your head down and trying to get better — it just kind of makes it all worth it.” 

 

Trevino had made plans to go back home to Texas to purchase a car when he got the news that he would be going to the west coast. “It means a lot. I just want to thank everybody that voted for me,” he said. “Thank you to the people that believed in me, that stuck with me. It’s been a long, long journey. I’m out to prove the people that believed in me right. I’m not trying to prove anyone wrong anymore.”

 

Cole and Stanton will be making their fifth All-Star selection. It will be the fourth for Judge. 

 

As for the Metropolitans, they sent four players to Los Angeles although none will be in the starting line-up. Position players 1^st baseman Pete Alonso (.265 BA, 24 HR, 78 RBI) along with second baseman Jeff Mc Neil (.300 BA, 4 HR, 35 RBI) and OF Starling Marte (.295, 9 HR, 41 RBI) should have seen some action before the night was over. Closer Edwin Diaz, the Mets closer earned his spot with a 2-1 record, 20 saves and a paltry .169 ERA. Said Mc Neil of the first half of his season, “It’s been a pretty fantastic week, “the birth of our son. All-Star Game. Being named an All-Star starter. Super excited for the opportunity to be in the game.” Due to an injury, Marte was not available to participate in the game but represented the organization anyway. 

 

The Mets won the first three games of their four-game series against the Chicago Cubs but failed to end the first have with a sweep as they lost 3-2 last Sundy afternoon. Never the less, manager Buck Showalter was pleased with how the team played in the first half of the season. The Mets took 2 of 3 against the second place Atlanta Braves who made a run of their own. The Baves cut a 12-game deficit down to 2 1/2. Said Showalter of the last 7 games on the road, “I knew coming in it was going to be a challenging trip. I felt like a lot of adrenaline would carry us through Atlanta, but this would be a challenge and I am really proud of coming in here and winning two series on the road. This time of year when everybody’s tank is being challenged. I was really proud of everybody.” 

 

Monday night the Home Run Derby took place and Alonso was looking to become the first player to win it for the third consecutive year. Only one player has won the derby three times as Ken Griffey, Jr did it but not in consecutive years. Alonso hit 20 homer runs in his first round against Ronald Acuna, Jr. who blasted 19. Julio Rodriguez took out Corey Seager 32 to 24 and then watched Juan Soto edge out Jose Ramirez 18 to 17. Veteran Albert Pujols, who has hit the most Derby homers, took out Kyle Schwarber 20-19 much to the delight of the fans in attendance. 

 

The second round matched Alonso up with rookie Julio Rodriguez. Alonzo saw Rodriguez launch 31 home runs and Alonso could only blast 24 ending his bid to three-peat. Pujols’ run came to an end in round two as Soto hit 16 to his 15 setting up the finale between Soto and Rodriguez.

 

Most of the talk prior to the contest, centered on the trade rumors of Soto who was offered and turned down a 15-year, $440 million dollar contract by the Washington Nationals. Soto was not distracted as he took home the Home Run Derby trophy edging out Rodriguez 19 to 18. Soto also took home a check of $1 million dollars. Rodriguez lit up the sky in as he launched 32 homers in the first round and 31 in the second. The first player to accomplish that feat in Derby history.

 

If the All-Star game happened to go into extra innings, the game will be decided by a home run hitting contest. Three players from each league would take three swings apiece to decide the final result.