by Malik Wright | Jul 14, 2021 | THE LEAD OFF
The MLBbro’s on the American League All-Star team got the offense going early as they held on to win 5-2 in one of the most anticipated Mid Summer Classics in league history.
Major League Baseball has the greatest All-Star Game in all of sports and this year the legacy of Hank Aaron was front and center.
The game began with a tribute video for the late 25 time All-Star and former Home Run King “Hammerin” Hank Aaron. His wife, Mrs. Billye Aaron was escorted to home plate by MLBbro and Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge along with Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman as she was given a jersey signed by each All-Star and a painting honoring his journey from Mobile, Alabama to the Hall of Fame.
Once the bro’s stepped into the batters box, they immediately got the scoring party started. After Aaron Judge drew a walk and worked his way to third base, Blue Jays Marcus Semien legged out an infield single to put the American League up 1-0 in the Top of the second.
Judge also showed why he is one of the most underrated defensive players in the Majors when he chased down a fly ball and made a catch at the wall.
A few innings later CM Storm Cedric Mullins came up to bat and hit a ground ball up the middle. The shortstop misplayed it and was not able to make a throw so it was ruled an error, but I do not think the scorers in Colorado know the pure speed of Mullins: there was no way he was going to be thrown out.
Regardless, he would later come around to score the game’s 4th run on an RBI Groundout by the games MVP Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Met’s Taijuan Walker made his first appearance as an All-Star in the sixth inning where he struck out a batter and allowed a home run.
White Sox Tim Anderson got a de facto off night as he entered the game in the Bottom of the 8th and did not record an at bat.
On the managerial side of things, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts lost his fourth consecutive All-Star Game as National League manager, the League in total has lost eight straight to the American League.
Roberts named Hall of Famer and former seven time All-Star Reggie Smith as honorary bench coach.
The culture of MLBbro Nation was definitely alive and well during All-Star Weekend in Denver. From “The Kid” Ken Griffey Jr. handing out the home run derby chain to the custom Hank Aaron Cleats and #44 cut into the outfield grass.
We will be looking forward to the 2022 All-Star game which will be held in Los Angeles at Dodgers Stadium.
by DA Gambler | Jul 7, 2021 | THE THREE SPOT
Major League Baseball and USA Baseball announced the roster for the second edition of the “High School All-American Game” scheduled at Coors Field on Friday, July 9th as part of 2021 MLB All-Star Week in Denver.
This premier All-Star showcase game will feature a roster of 39 participants who are some of the top U.S.-based high school baseball prospects for the 2022 MLB Draft.
If you had any doubt that MLB was serious about increasing its number of Black and Brown participants, then look no further than the recent appointments of Ken Griffey Jr. (Senior Advisor to MLB commissioner Rob Manfred with an emphasis on baseball operations, youth development and diversity) and former Stros manager Bo Porter (MLB Director of Coaching Development).
“Being selected to the High School All-American Game is an honor, “ Porter, a former MLB player, manager, coach analyst and executive, told MLBbro.com.
It places student-athletes into an intense competitive environment with their present and future competition. They will also be surrounded by coaches with hundreds of years of experience and wisdom.
I wish all of our High School All-Americans well as they continue towards conquering a lifetime goals of reaching their full potential in baseball and life.”
The roster boasts a diverse mix of athletes, from future MLBbros to the rising Latin Lords of MLB and is notably highlighted by:
- Players from 17 States, including two from Colorado, and Puerto Rico
- Sons of former Major Leaguers CC Sabathia, Andruw Jones and Lou Collier.
Additionally, eight of the All-American players will compete in the annual “High School Home Run Derby,” scheduled for Saturday, July 10th at 12:30 p.m. MT at Coors Field. MLB.com will livestream this round, with commentary by Braun, Jonathan Mayo and Yonder Alonso.
The players will vie for a chance to compete in the Finals during breaks of the T-Mobile Home Run Derby, including:
- Elijah Green
- Termarr Johnson
- Jared Jones
- Kaden Martin
- Robby Snelling
- Riley Stanford
- Sal Stewart
- Jason Torres
Several players featured in the High School All-American Game and High School Home Run Derby rosters have previously participated in diversity-focused development initiatives led by MLB & USA Baseball.
Out of these players, we are seeing a stream of second-generation MLB hopefuls emerging; from Cameron Collier (Breakthrough Series, DREAM Series and Hank Aaron Invitational) son of former Major Leaguer Lou Collier to CC’s boy Carsten Sabathia (Breakthrough Series and Hank Aaron Invitational) and former Braves slugger Andruw Jones’ son, Junior (DREAM Series)
Other MLB diversity products being featured include Elijah Green (Breakthrough Series, DREAM Series and Hank Aaron Invitational, which is also supported by the MLBPA); Termarr Johnson (Breakthrough Series, DREAM Series and Hank Aaron Invitational); Former Tennessee National Title- winning QB Tee Martin’s son, Kaden Martin (Breakthrough Series); Aiden Moffet (Breakthrough Series); and Kassius Thomas (Breakthrough Series, DREAM Series and Hank Aaron Invitational).
Full Roster
The High School All-American Game will be led by an All-Star cast of coaches, including Managers Clint Hurdle (former Colorado Rockies Manager) and Clint Barmes (former Rockies infielder, 2003-2010), who will be supported by Chad Cordero (2005 MLB All-Star), Roy Hallenbeck (Retired Head Baseball Coach, Millville – N.J. – High School), Jason Maxwell (former MLB infielder; 18U National Team Manager, USA Baseball), Todd Pratt (former MLB catcher, 1992-1995, 1997-2006), Jerry Royster (former MLB infielder, 1973-1987) and Bianca Smith (Boston Red Sox Player Development Coach).
The High School All-American Game will serve as a feeder for the Prospect Development Pipeline (PDP) League, the primary identification event for the USA Baseball 18U National Team, which is slated to compete in the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Baseball World Cup in Sarasota and Bradenton, FL in September.
The PDP League will take place in late July at the USA Baseball National Team Complex in Cary, N.C.
Baseball continues to develop tremendous talent through its diversity programs and shape the future of MLB in a positive, inclusive, and multi-talented fashion.
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