Tonight is Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game. It’s always special and tonight should be no exception. It’s even more of an event since it’s being played in historic Yankee Stadium. The stadium will close after this season.
I don’t enjoy watching the established stars play the game. I enjoy seeing the looks on the faces of first time All-Stars. Here are some of the players I’m looking forward to watching tonight.
Josh Hamilton – Texas Rangers
Hamilton’s comeback from drug addiction is one of the game’s most amazing stories. The former first round pick was out of the game for over three years. Now he’s back and has earned a starting spot for the American League. He’s the one of the game’s all time great inspirational stories.
Tim Lincecum – San Francisco Giants
The diminutive Giants pitcher is as fun to watch as any pitcher in the game. Sports Illustrated recently compared him to Mark “The Bird” Fidrych of the 1976 Tigers. Hopefully he’ll put on a pitching show tonight. He’s the one bright spot in a dismal Giants season.
Evan Longoria – Tampa Bay Rays
Longoria is everybody’s favorite rookie. The Rays are scuffling going into the break, but they’ve been the best team story in the first half of the season. Longoria is going to be a star, he was voted into the game late by the fans. His on field reaction should be fun to watch.
Nate McLouth – Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates young outfielder has been one of the surprise stories in the National League. Every game he plays, he plays with a look of excitement and wonder. Tonight should be no different.
Manny Ramirez – Boston Red Sox
Yankee fans hate Manny during the regular season. He’s from the Bronx and is coming back home for the game. Will he be cheered tonight in his hometown? It should be interesting to see.
Edinson Volquez – Cincinnati Reds
Volquez has been the best pitcher in the National League this season. But not many fans know how good he is yet. It will be fun to see him challenge the American League all stars.
Frank Giardina
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