Elephant Rumblings: All-Star Game Day!

MLB news roundup

Good morning A’s fans and happy All-Star Game Day!

The Midsummer Classic will have its 94th iteration this evening in Atlanta, the first time the city has hosted an All-Star Week since 2000 at the old Turner Field. The American League currently leads the all-time series 48-44-2 and will look to make it two straight wins after last year’s victory. The AL in general has been the dominant force in the yearly contest, winning 10 of the last 11 games and 22 of their last 26. The home-field advantage for the World Series rule is long gone but the pomp and ceremony that is the All-Star Game always brings out the best in these competitors. And for the first time in years, players will get to wear their team’s jerseys, as was the case from the 1930’s all the way until 2019. Safe to say that MLB learned their lesson on the uniform front.

For A’s fans, all early eyes will be on shortstop Jacob Wilson. The rookie is set to join a rare club as a rookie starting the All-Star Game, a rare honor. Wilson’s had a rookie season for the books and is on a glide path to winning the Rookie of the Year award, and likely garnering some down-ballot MVP votes as well. Adding a big All-Star Game to his ledger would feel like the cherry on top of what is shaping up to be a memorable start to his career.

The American League’s lineup came out yesterday afternoon and Wilson will be batting in the ninth spot in the starting nine. There was some hope that he’d get a spot closer to the top of the lineup but he’ll have to settle for the final spot in the order. Wilson is likely only going to play three or four innings and get one at bat, maybe two before getting pulled (likely for Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr.), but that’s just how the All-Star Game goes. Maybe he’ll get a chance in the field to flash some leather.

He won’t be the only Athletic on the American League squad. Teammate and Home Run Derby participant Brent Rooker is also expected to get into the game at some point tonight. The team’s DH was selected to his second All-Star Game (should be his third after last year’s snub) and after last night would like to get a base knock to help the team win. In his previous All-Star Game he went 1-for-2 with a double after coming into the game in the sixth. That seems likely to be how he’s used tonight but that’ll leave plenty of time to make his mark on the game.

So what are all of your predictions for tonight’s contest? Does Wilson get a base hit in his first at bat? Will Rooker carry things over and hit a bomb tonight? Can Wilson or Rooker shock the world and win ASG MVP? Now that’d be a heck of a way to end the festivities.

Have a great Tuesday everyone and enjoy the game tonight!

A’s Coverage

• Brent Rooker Hits 17 Home Runs, Finishes 5th in Derby
• Brent Rooker calls out tiebreaker rule after Home Run Derby elimination
• Athletics Select LHP Jamie Arnold With 11th Overall Pick
• Is Brent Rooker on the Giants’ radar? ($)
• Padres linked to A’s catcher Shea Langeliers
• Draft Day: Brought To You By The Number 11

MLB News & Interest:

• Cal Raleigh wins Home Run Derby, 1st catcher to do so
• Oneil Cruz ties (non-Coors) record with 513-foot blast
• Even the ball boy was surprised by his ‘robbery’ of Junior Caminero
• Rangers outfielder Adolis Garcia drawing trade interest
• Rays owner Stu Steinberg to sell Tampa Bay Rays for $1.7 billion
• Miz on All-Star critics: “They’re not upset with me”
• Twins Not Currently Discussing Joe Ryan In Trade Talks
• Yankees’ Max Fried unsure how long blister will keep him out for
• Today in Baseball History

Best of X:

The entire 20205 A’s draft class:

Very proud of Rook!

The players feel the same way about the Derby last night: