The 2019 MLB All-Star Game is in the books. The American League jumped out to a three-run lead and held on for a 4-3 victory.
An American League win could have been predicted as it was the league’s seventh straight triumph in the Midsummer Classic. The way the game played out, however, was anything but predictable. Predictable or not, the home fans got their money’s worth. A former Cleveland Indians star produced early in the game while a current Indians player won the MVP. While it was a great night for Indians players (past and present), it didn’t go as well for whomever was running the scoreboard at Progressive Field.
These were the winners and losers from the 2019 MLB All-Star Game.
Winner: Michael Brantley delivers in Cleveland homecoming
Brantley started the game in left field for the American League. While he didn’t stay in the game for long, he was effective. In his only at-bat, Brantley drove in Houston Astros teammate Alex Bregman for the game’s first run and some early momentum for the AL.
This had to be an especially nice moment for Brantley, who played in Cleveland for more than a decade. All things considered, we’d call it a pretty good homecoming.
Loser: Whoever forgot to pack the juiced balls
Considering the number of sluggers on both teams, it seemed unfathomable that we’d have a 4-3 final. That’s exactly what we got, however. Yes, the bats came alive a little in the later innings, notably with home runs from Charlie Blackmon and Joey Gallo. Still, in a season that’s been defined by offense, we got only two home runs and three other extra-base hits.
Baseball can be a weird, unpredictable game. Still, it seemed a safe bet that the bats would come out in a game that tends to be offense-heavy. That was not the case. At least the game went quickly, checking in at less than three hours.
Winner: Jose Berrios gets into a jam, then gets tough
Trailing 1-0, the NL appeared to have a great chance to tie the game when Ketel Marte stroked a leadoff double against Berrios. Then, the Minnesota Twins ace got tough.
He struck out reigning NL Rookie of the Year Ronald Acuna Jr. and reigning NL MVP Christian Yelich. Then, with two outs, Berrios got his brother-in-law Javier Baez to fly out and end the threat. That loomed large in a game decided by only one run. We’d call that a pretty good day’s work for Minnesota’s ace.
Loser: Scoreboard operator has a rough night
This series of bloopers didn’t come through to the people on TV, but the fans in Cleveland were treated to a number of errors.
Colorado Rockies All-Star David Dahl was called “Davis Dahl” and Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras was “Wilson Contreras.” Fortunately, New York Mets All-Star Jeff McNeil had his name spelled correctly. Unfortunately, the picture used was Jacob deGrom.
One option is that this person is trying to get canned by pulling a George Costanza. More likely, however, is that whoever was in charge of the scoreboard graphics has had better days.
Winner: Shane Bieber lights up the hometown fans
Bieber took the mound for the AL in the fifth inning and Cleveland’s right-hander was absolutely dominant. Not only was Bieber perfect, but he struck out the side as Contreras, Marte and Acuna Jr. looked completely overmatched.
Cleveland’s fans were not only treated to an American League win but got to see their hometown boy win the MVP.
It’s hard to imagine how Bieber could have put on a better show for those in The Land.
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