By: Amaury Pi-González

There should be little doubt by now on which league has been the best during the past 12 to 15 years–the Junior Circuit! The American League beat the National League 8-6 in 10 innings to win its sixth consecutive All Star Game and its 12 of the last 15. Also, a record for an All-Star Game of 10 home runs (five apiece).

Houston Astros’ third baseman Alex Bregman won the MVP in his first ever All-Star Game. Chevrolet gave him a choice of a brand-new Chevy truck or a sporty Camero, he chose the Camero and said, “I am giving it to my mother.”

For the second year in a row, Max Scherzer (Nationals) started for the NL and Chris Sale (Red Sox) for the AL. The DH was in play at Nationals Park, the home of the Washington Nationals. This All-Star Game reflects today’s baseball, which is heavy on home runs. After all, the MLB established a record in 2017 for total home runs in a single season, and right now, that record could be in jeopardy.

AL home runs: Aaron Judge (Yankees), Mike Trout (Angels), Jean Segura (Mariners), Alex Bregman and George Springer (Astros).

NL home runs: Willson Contreras (Cubs), Trevor Story (Rockies), Christian Yelich (Brewers), Scooter Gennet and Joe Votto (Reds).

The previous record for home runs in an ASG had last been reached in 1971 by Johnny Bench, Hank Aaron, Reggie Jackson, Frank Robinson, Harmon Killebrew, and Roberto Clemente–all Hall of Fame legends!

FOX’s production was a good one, as it showcased some of the game personalities, wired with microphones while playing on the field. For example, Angels star Mike Trout, who is an amateur weatherman in the off-season in Vineland, New Jersey, on a local television station, Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor, and Colorado Rockies center fielder Charlie Blackmon.

Most of the players were busy with their phone cameras, filming from the very beginning when they were introduced and throughout the game from their respective dugouts, and sometimes spilling into the field after a home run was hit.

Kudos to the MLB, who honored two dozen U.S. Armed Forces Veterans–all of whom were Medal of Honor winners. What better city than Washington, D.C. for this very nice ceremony? We should always honor the men and women who served, are currently serving, and who help to preserve the freedom we enjoy.

The 2019 All-Star Game will take place at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez is the Oakland A’s Spanish play-by-play talent and does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com