Your Guide To The MLB All-Star Festivities
The first half of the MLB Season is officially in the books, and it’s now time for the Midsummer Classic: The MLB All-Star Game. Over the break, the Philadelphia Phillies will get some much-needed rest as they prepare for a push to the playoffs in the 2nd half, but there are still some great events to hold you over until the Fightins are back. They also have some representatives that will be taking part in some of the events going on out in Seattle, the home of the 2023 All-Star Game.
If you’re like me, though, the All-Star break can sneak up on you, and then all of a sudden you’ve missed one of the big events of the week. Well, don’t worry. I have your guide to the MLB All-Star festivities, including what events will feature Phillies players that you should be keeping a special eye on. It’s not just the All-Star Game.
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First of all, let’s break down the schedule for the game’s best players’ time in Seattle. There are some events that have already occurred, but could be worth going back to take a look at. Friday, July 7th featured the inaugural HBCU Swingman Classic, a showcase of some of the top talent from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Ken Griffey Jr. came up with the concept for the event, and it was a great look into the talent that exists at HBCUs. Saturday had the MLB Futures Game, followed by the Celebrity Softball Game, two of my favorite events of the week.
The Futures Game, which was won 5-0 by the National League prospects, included 2 high-profile Phillies prospects: Mick Abel and Justin Crawford. Abel made the start for the NL and got the win in the game, and Crawford had an RBI in the contest. Certainly something worth checking out if you’re a prospect geek like me. Then came celebrity softball, featuring numerous stars from different industries, but most importantly to us here in Philly, gave us a chance to watch Ryan Howard mash some softballs. It’s not the most competitive event, but I’ll always tune in for The Big Piece.
.@RyanHoward was used to rounding the bases in his day - but not like this! #CelebSoftball
— MLB (@MLB) July 9, 2023
(MLB x @coronausa) pic.twitter.com/skXlvVtxtE
Sunday was entirely clear to make way for the 2023 MLB Amateur Draft, which saw a pair of LSU teammates go 1-2 overall in Pitcher Paul Skenes and OF Dylan Crews. The Phillies selected Aidan Miller, a prep school 3rd baseman with plus power potential, but who will take a while to reach the majors. No matter: that Bohm guy over there now is pretty good.
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Alright, let’s get into the events still to come, the big ones. Monday night is the setting for the 2023 Home Run Derby, which boasts an interesting lineup of young talent. Luis Robert Jr., Adley Rutschman, Pete Alonso, Julio Rodriguez, Mookie Betts, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Adolis Garcia, and Randy Arozarena.
Pete Alonso is the only player in the field who has won the event before, so there’s a great opportunity for a first-time winner. The derby starts at 8pm EST, and you can watch it on ESPN. Personally, I’m rooting for either Julio Rodriguez of the hometown Mariners or Adley Rutschman, the former top prospect who has helped the Baltimore Orioles to one of the best records in baseball. It should be a fun event either way.
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Then, on Tuesday Night, the game’s best players will come together for The MLB All-Star Game, with first pitch scheduled for 8pm. The Phillies have 3 representatives this year, with Nick Castellanos making the NL Roster as a reserve, Craig Kimbrel as an injury replacement (for Milwaukee’s Devin Williams), and Rob Thomson as NL Manager. It will be a great moment for the players for sure, as both Castellanos and Kimbrel are very deserving, but also for Thomson, who has gone from bench coach, to interim manager, to NL Champion, to now All-Star Game Manager, all in the span of about a year.
It will be a fun night to hear from some of baseball’s best, and in a sport that historically does not market its players well, this game is a great example of a time they do it right. Hey who knows, Nick Castellanos might even hit a homer and bring home an MVP. Whatever the results though, it should be a great couple of days of baseball out in Washington.