Reds' Sal Stewart sheds light on viral Dave Roberts' All-Star Game quote

DENVER, Colo. — As the Cincinnati Reds start the post-All-Star Game portion of their schedule, there's still plenty of buzz about Sal Stewart and what he asked of some veteran MLB managers just before the Midsummer Classic.

Stewart, Cincinnati's All-Star first baseman, wanted to make his first All-Star experience one to remember, as National League (and Los Angeles Dodgers) manager Dave Roberts recalled to a national television audience during the All-Star Game on FOX.

"He (Stewart) came into my office … and he said, 'Hey, I'd love to take five, 10, 15 minutes and tell me anything, give me something,'" Roberts said on the broadcast that was recorded and transcribed by The Cincinnati Enquirer. "And we talked for like 20 minutes about what it means to be a competitor, about winning pitches, and about getting people around you that (help you) to play the game the right way and what standard you set. So, we went deep. But it was just impressive. A first-year All-Star coming to the manager's office and said, 'Give me anything, some nuggets.'"

Reds' Sal Stewart simply wanted to learn

On Friday, as the Reds prepared to play the Colorado Rockies in Denver in the second-half opener, the 22-year-old Stewart explained what happened during the much-discussed moment.

"Being an All-Star was something I've worked my whole life for, so I wanted to enjoy it," Stewart said on Friday. "But I also wanted to use the time to try to learn. So I just went in there and said he (Roberts) has been around the game a while. Him and (Philadelphia Phillies interim manager) Don Mattingly were in there, and Oli (Marmol, St. Louis Cardinals manager) as well from St. Louis. They were in there, and we just sat down and, honestly, we just talked shop.

"I learned a lot, and I was able to just pick his brain, pick Don Mattingly's brain. He's been in the game for forever and Ollie as well. So it was great. It was good to learn from him."

When asked what he learned, Stewart said, "Just about how guys that have been there multiple times, what they think, how they go about like playing the game and stuff, and their routine."

Reds' Sal Stewart making history in Cincinnati

With his place in the All-Star Game, Stewart became just the eighth Red to earn a trip to the Midsummer Classic at age 22 or younger. Elly De La Cruz was the last to accomplish the feat in 2024.

Stewart entered the All-Star break with 65 RBI, the third-most of any NL rookie before the break since 1933, the first year of the All-Star Game. He trails only Pete Alonso (68 with the New York Mets in 2019) and Albert Pujols (66 with the Cardinals in 2001).