The 92nd MLB All-Star Game is less than two weeks away, and after the rosters were announced Sunday, we know who’s headed to Los Angeles for the Midsummer Classic. Among the All-Star selections we find several great stories, from family connections to first-timers who came seemingly out of nowhere to join the best of the best at Dodger Stadium.
Here’s a look at some of the best All-Star stories as we count down to July 19:
Prior to this year, eight pairs of brothers were named All-Stars in the same year, and five of them played on the same All-Star squad. Add Willson and William Contreras to the list — the brothers are both National League All-Star starters this year, with Willson being elected by the fans as the starting catcher and William being selected as a reserve designated hitter who will get the starting nod with Bryce Harper injured.
The Contrerases are the first brothers to be named All-Stars in the same season since Aaron and Bret Boone in 2003. But the Boones were on opposite sides in that game; the Contreras brothers will be the first to play on the same All-Star team since Roberto and Sandy Alomar in 1998. The Alomar brothers were also the last to start for the same team in the Midsummer Classic, doing so for the American League in 1992.
Legendary legacies will be celebrated
For the first time in All-Star history, each league has a legacy selection who has been added to the roster. The NL’s 33rd roster member is Albert Pujols, and for the AL, it’s Miguel Cabrera.
The two legendary right-handed sluggers, who are headed for Cooperstown after their playing careers come to an end — Pujols is playing in his last season, and Cabrera has said he plans to retire after the 2023 campaign — are the active players with the most All-Star selections, and will get an All-Star send-off in Los Angeles. It’ll be the 12th Midsummer Classic appearance for Cabrera, and the 11th for Pujols.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been an All-Star before, and it’s not a surprise to see him elected as the starting first baseman for the AL squad. But down the first base line from him will be a Blue Jays teammate nobody saw being selected as a starter when the season began: catcher Alejandro Kirk.
Kirk, in his second full MLB season, is hitting .309/.395/.481 with 10 home runs, leading all AL catchers with 2.9 WAR (FanGraphs). The 23-year-old backstop has been one of the biggest surprises in baseball so far this season, and will take his well-deserved place in the AL starting lineup at this year’s All-Star Game. He’ll also be the youngest starting catcher in the Midsummer Classic since Hall of Famer Iván Rodríguez for the Rangers in 1995.
The J-Rod Show goes to Hollywood
Before this season began, it was far from certain that Julio Rodríguez would make the Mariners’ Opening Day roster. But he dazzled during Spring Training and now, just three months later, he’s the lone rookie All-Star in 2022.
Rodríguez is not only the frontrunner for the AL Rookie of the Year Award, he’s doing things no Mariner has done since Ken Griffey Jr. and Alex Rodriguez. Before J-Rod was named to the AL All-Star roster Sunday, those two legends were the only Mariners to make an All-Star team at age 21 or younger.
If Rodríguez gets a hit in the All-Star Game next week, he’ll be the first player at his age on that day – 21 years, 202 days — or younger to do so since Mike Trout in 2012, and only the ninth player to get a hit at that age or younger in All-Star Game history.
There are several first-time All-Stars on the roster, and it’s a little extra-special for players who have been in the Majors for several years and are going to the Midsummer Classic for the first time.
It’s hard to believe, but Twins superstar center fielder Byron Buxton is headed to his first All-Star Game in his eighth Major League season. Injuries have taken their toll throughout his career thus far, but we’ll finally get to see his tremendous abilities on display in the Midsummer Classic.
Rangers left-hander Martín Pérez gets his first career All-Star nod in his 11th MLB season after posting a 2.72 ERA over his first 17 starts.
Braves catcher Travis d’Arnaud is an All-Star for the first time in his 10th big league season. He’s hitting .265/.317/.478 with 11 homers.
Rockies first baseman C.J. Cron earned his first All-Star selection in his ninth MLB season. Cron has a .901 OPS (138 OPS+) with 20 homers on the year.
Dansby Swanson has made the All-Star team for the first time — the selection comes in the former No. 1 overall Draft pick’s seventh season in the Majors. He’s having a big year for the defending World Series champs, with 14 homers, 14 steals and an .848 OPS.
A year after winning his first career Gold Glove Award, Andrew Benintendi can add “All-Star” to his resume in his seventh season, too. He’s hitting .317/.389/.401 for the Royals.
Right-hander Jorge López is a first-time All-Star in his seventh season after posting a 1.74 ERA with 16 saves and a 28 percent strikeout rate in 38 relief appearances for the suddenly surging Orioles.