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MLB News & Moments You Should Know: 2024 All-Star Game Edition

Jarren Duran - All-Star MVP... it really just happened.

Pablo Figueroa
MLB Morning News 7/17/2024

The All-Star Game and Home Run Derby are in the books, and Pitcher List has you covered on all the memorable and meme-worthy moments that will live on forever. 

 

The Actual Game

 

Junior Circuit Dominance

Just like it has happened for most of the past decade, the AL All-Stars took care of business, erasing an early three-run deficit to earn a 5-3 victory over their NL brethren. Despite being outhit 10-to-5 and needing nine one-inning pitchers to navigate the game, the AL roster took advantage of timely hitting and excellent defense, taking the lead in the fifth inning with a Jarren Duran homer and securing the win with five strikeouts over the last three innings, as Seth Lugo, Kirby Yates, and Emmanuel Clase dominated the opposition. With the win, manager Bruce Bochy became only the second manager in history with at least one W in both leagues, joining Tony La Russa in that select club.

 


Hungry like the Wolf MVP 

 

Jarren Duran entered this season with a career .729 OPS and 13 homers, as legitimate questions about his MLB future popped up in Boston. Less than four months later, he can add All-Star MVP to his resume. Duran’s notable turnaround has seen him lead the AL in doubles and triples, while also reaching double-digit homers for the first time. With that momentum on his side, Duran replaced Aaron Judge in center field and delivered the key moment of the game, with a decisive two-run blast off Cincinnati’s Hunter Greene. The 413-foot homer represents all that has gone well for Duran and the Red Sox in 2024, and will probably never be forgotten in the Duran household.

 

 

The Biggest Sho-man

 

While the NL lost yet again in the Midsummer Classic, it all looked pretty good for a moment. Facing Red Sox hurler Tanner Houck with two men on base, Shohei Ohtani took full advantage of a 2-0 count to deposit the ball into the right-field bleachers. The crack of the bat was certainly spectacular, as Ohtani remains the biggest draw in the game. If he can make a full return to pitching, maybe next season we will again be treated to a two-way appearance.

 

The Philly Connection

 

With three Philadelphia infielders starting the game, it made sense for the broadcast crew to somehow get them involved in the feed, and so Trea Turner, Alec Bohm, and Bryce Harper were mic’d up to start the game. With the AL threatening in the bottom of the second, a Vladimir Guerrero Jr. grounder appeared to have enough to set up a first-and-third situation. Instead, Turner took a dive and recorded the forceout at second, as his buddies were fired up and screaming. It was all part of the live broadcast, adding a nice touch to the highlight reel.

 

Live! from the Red Carpet

 

An Adorable Pup-xedo

As the biggest attraction of All-Star festivities, Shohei Ohtani stepped up to the red carpet in what looked like an understated brown suit alongside his wife. What appeared to be fitting with his unassuming personality turned out to be just a decoy, as closer examination revealed that the suit’s inner lining actually had multiple prints of Decoy, Ohtani’s famous dog. If all suits looked like this, maybe weddings wouldn’t be so boring.

 

 

Cowboy Bryce

Recently, Bryce Harper visited the paternity list to welcome his third child to the world. During today’s red carpet, the baby made an adorable appearance, donning Phillies gear while the proud dad could have passed for any Arlington native, with a huge belt buckle and a cowboy hat to match. As usual, Bryce’s drip remains unmatched.

 

 

Elly de la Renta

 

Elly de la Cruz has been the center of attention since the day he stepped onto a baseball field, and so it seems natural that it would be the same for his first All-Star appearance. With an inspired outfit choice and his usual swagger, you could probably spot Elly from miles away.

 

 

Going, Going, Gone

The Champ

With no superstars or an abundance of hulking sluggers, this year’s Home Run Derby was wide open in many ways. Additionally, new rules limited the amount of swings for each batter, leading to a mostly muted affair that saved the best for last. Teoscar Hernández, who started the contest with the sixth-largest odds to take the crown, became the first Dodger ever to win the Derby, barely edging Bobby Witt Jr. in the final by a 14-13 score. Overall, Hernández hit only 49 long balls over three rounds, with his longest one coming on the first swing he took. For his efforts, Hernández earned a $1 million prize and a cool chain—not bad for a day’s work.

Warning Track Power

The Derby was literally decided on the last swing of the day, as Witt had a chance to tie Hernández and then aim for the win. As the ball came off the bat, the crowd and announcers appeared certain that Witt had gotten all of it, but Globe Life Park’s dimensions were enough to dampen the enthusiasm. As the ball sailed toward the seats, its high apex was too much to overcome, and it ended up landing harmlessly at the bottom of the wall. With an on-field umpire signaling the no-homer a bit too deliberately, Hernández’s triumph was confirmed.

Star Spangled Blunder

While the derby itself may not be remembered in a few years, there was at least one memorable aspect from it that will live on, even if it is an infamous one. With singer Ingrid Andress tabbed to perform the national anthem, she decided to create one of the most out-of-tune renditions we will ever hear. With dumbfounded players on the field, confused people in the stands, and plenty of questions for the people who selected her, it was later revealed that Andress may not have been in proper condition to take the stage.

 

 

Pablo Figueroa

Pablo Figueroa is a Baseball Writer here at Pitcher List, with experience as a writer since 2013. He lives in Aguascalientes, Mexico - proud home of Los Rieleros. When he´s not thinking about baseball , he's a husband, owns two dogs, watches random episodes of The Sopranos , plays padel, and works on his day job to pay the bills.

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