On July 10, 2012, the National League (NL) trampled the American League (AL) in the All-Star Game, 8-0. Every year, the fan-voted best players from each league congregate to play a ballgame. Some compete in the home run derby, but the main spectacle is the All-Star Game, a way to showcase talent from all over the MLB.
2012 was the final time the NL would defeat the AL. Until, that is, they edged out a 3-2 victory on Tuesday’s Seattle-hosted league showdown.
The game-winner was a two-run home run, hit by none other than the Rockies’ sole all-star, catcher Elías Díaz. The blast secured him the no-brainer MVP crystal bat after the game.
In the first half of the season, Díaz has been a lonely ray of sunshine in a season where everything is down in the dumps for the Rockies. Colorado has played eight primary starting pitchers in 2023. Four of them are injured, two have an ERA above 6.00, and one was cut within the first month of the season. The pitching staff is not the only one affected. Cornerstone players like CJ Cron, Kris Bryant, and Charlie Blackmon have all experienced injured stints as well.
Meanwhile, Díaz had a strong start to the season. His hitting stood out in a team with a .255 batting average overall. What really got Colorado fans’ attention was his home performance, hitting .321 at Coors Field. On June 23, he belted a grand slam against Mike Trout and the LA Angels, the first club slam since 2021.
He’s not just outstanding offensively. A large portion of his All-Star campaign was his work behind the plate. He caught 15 batters stolen and had the second best caught stealing percentage in the MLB.
When Díaz was selected for the Midsummer Classic, faithful Rockies fans hoped it would provide him with some deserved attention for his efforts. He did so much more than that.
In the sixth inning, Toronto Blue Jay shortstop Bo Bichette hit a sacrifice fly to send home Kansas City Royal catcher Salvador Pérez. The game looked like a done deal, and the AL would bring home a tenth consecutive victory. Then, a little-known, mile-high catcher stepped up to the plate.
As soon as the ball left Díaz’s bat, everybody in the park knew the game was thrown in a new direction. And as soon as the game ended, the decision to name Díaz MVP wasn’t contested.
Things just can’t go right for a couple teams in the MLB. While the Rockies’ situation might not be as grim as the Oakland (more like Las Vegas) Athletics dumpster fire, small victories help. And Díaz’s elated grin as he trotted the bases is enough to lift our hearts for a while.
The Rockies will not make the postseason. Multiple players are out for the season with injuries. The front office is doing no good to solve problems. But Rockies fans can hold onto this for a while. Because that award for hero of the game wasn’t won by a Yankee, a Dodger, or an Astro. It was won by Denver’s hometown backstop, Elías Díaz.
