Sanchez had a crappy night, and the other Phillies All-Stars, other than pitchers Jesus Luzardo and Jhoan Duran, didn't fare much better. Kyle Schwarber led off as the DH, replacing the injured Shohei Ohtani. Schwarber struck out swinging again Dylan Cease in the first and grounded out to second in the third. Brandon Marsh started in right field, batting seventh. He struck out twice - against Parker Messick in the second and Nick Martinez in the fifth. Bryce Harper pinch-hit for Schwarber in the sixth, striking out in his only at-bat against Cade Smith.
Jesus Luzardo had the best night of all six Phillies All-Stars. Entering in the fourth, Luzardo struck out Riley Greene and then induced two quick ground outs from Ernie Clement and Trout. He threw a total of six pitches. Jhoan Duran entered with one out in the top of the ninth, jogging to the mound in the dark while we all waited for his signature entrance music to start. It eventually started, albeit late, and Duran needed just four pitches to retire Travis Bazzana and Ceddanne Rafaela after Randy Arozarena had reached on a single.
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Featured Cards: Since I started creating Chachi cards in 2005, a mainstay of my sets are the annual All-Star cards, and this year is no different. I created cards for the six Phillies All-Stars, along with Don Mattingly, who served as a bench coach.
Field Report: Doug and I were there! Doug completed the trifecta of Futures Game, Home Run Derby and All-Star Game, and this was the second All-Star Game I've attended. My Dad and I were at Veterans Stadium, cheering on Ricky Bottalico, back in 1996. We arrived right before 5pm and waited in a crazy long line out to the parking lot to eventually snake its way through the entrance when gates opened. We surveyed the MLB All-Star Fan Zone, set up outside the ballpark and complete with vendors, food trucks and photo opportunities, before heading into the ballpark proper. After a 20 minute or so wait to get into the team store, Doug found the Ohtani Ring the Bell t-shirt he wanted and he posed for a quick picture with the Rangers' mascot, Captain.
We then did a full lap of the ballpark, getting stuck momentarily in an unmoving crowd in Ashburn Alley, and enjoying our obligatory meal at Bull's BBQ, before settling into our seats in Section 415, Row 2. It was hot, but there was an occasional breeze in the higher section, something we rarely experience down in Section 315.
The pregame ceremony is always my favorite part of the All-Star Game, and I love the full team introductions. I was happy to see all the represented teams once again wearing their actual uniforms and not MLB created abominations for the game. We loved how the starting line-up signed their own version of a Declaration after being announced, and singers Jennifer Hudson and Patti LaBelle were amazing. There were flyovers, fireworks and a dramatic reading from actor and Phillies fan Miles Teller. Mike Schmidt and Steve Carlton threw out the ceremonial first pitches, caught by Scott Rolen and Cole Hamels.
The Sandlot tribute in the middle of the fifth inning was also very impressive. With Ray Charles, Jr. singing "America the Beautiful" and the ballpark lights dimmed, kids rode their bikes, played catch, practiced their swings and traded baseball cards down on the field with the All Stars. What followed was so many fireworks in such rapid succession, Doug and I were convinced they might actual blow up the ballpark.
The game itself stunk. Sanchez struck out Trout to start the first and then quickly gave up three runs, letting all the air out of the celebratory balloon. But I loved every minute of it, and I'm thrilled I could share it with my son, just like my Dad had done 30 years earlier.
