The Sports Lowdown For All Your News and OpinionsWe put the bookends on yet another All Star Week, as the American League managed to defeat the National League at Cincinnati’s Great American Ball Park. The victory for the AL was their 3rd in a row against the NL, and yet again, the National League looked rather inferior to the American League.
However, I will just take a quick look at who were the Winners and Losers for not only the All Star Game, but also the Home Run Derby and the week as a whole.
The Winners:
Mike Trout:
Arguably the best player in the entire game, Trout showed during the game why he is yet again the MVP of the All Star Game, as he picked up the award for the 2nd straight year, something no other player has ever achieved in the All Star Game. To top it all off, he hit a first inning homer off a 1-2 pitch from Zack Greinke. Yes, that Zack Greinke.
Jacob DeGrom:
When you strike out 3 AL hitters on 10 pitchers, you know you’ve had a good game! The reigning NL Rookie of the Year could have been a candidate for All Star MVP, at least that is what Pedro Martinez said, which is just the icing on the cake for DeGrom. Martinez said “DeGrom’s release point was great! This kid is special. If he would have been in a little longer he might have contended for the MVP”.
Joc Pederson:
The Dodgers rookie did himself no harm with his showing in the Home Run Derby, where he managed to see off Albert Pujols, and reach the final against hometown boy Todd Frazier, only to lose. But what stood out was Pederson’s composure in all situations, and despite batting 8th and being a last minute substitute, Pederson will be one for the occasion in years to come.
Todd Frazier:
The hometown boy sent the crowds wild this week, firstly with his Home Run Derby victory, where he managed to stage a stunning comeback against Prince Fielder, then went on to win the whole thing! Secondly, it seemed like no matter where Frazier went, the crowds went wild, and his status as a hometown hero would have grown massively after this week.
