2020 ALL-STAR GAME

The 2020 Mid-West Baseball League All-Star Game was held on Saturday Night, November 7th, 2020 in the home of the Pittsburgh Lumber Company.

“Special. recognition is given here to Brandon Hogan for taking on the past All-Star Games Project as he has helped out playing these and catching up not only with the MWBL but also with some past MWWL All-Star Games.  Thank you very much Brandon for helping out with these projects. I hope you enjoy the Mid-Baseball & Mid-West Winter League as much as we have the past 25 Years!”

STARTING PITCHERS:
Gerrit Cole 16-7 (2.40) vs. Zack Greinke 23-6 (2.52)

The Mid-West Baseball League’s All-Star Game dazzled fans with a spectacle of hits, runs, and show-stopping plays. Baseball aficionados couldn’t have asked for a better summer evening as the league’s finest took to the diamond to showcase their talents.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the game illuminated with a parade of runs. The scoreboard lit up like a pinball machine, each run adding to the excitement. From the very first inning, it was clear that the batters came prepared to swing for the fences, treating fans to an offensive masterclass.

The first inning remained scoreless until Cody Bellinger took matters into his own hands by yanking a pitch hard to the right field, sending two runners home and snagging himself a double. The scoreboard lit up: 2-0 National League. Talk about kicking off the party!

As the innings progressed, our front-row seats gave us a real treat—Alex Bregman earned a walk, while Trea Turner and Ketel Marte came up clutch with doubles and an RBI, tightening the score gap. But that didn’t go unchallenged, as the bottom of the frame saw high drama when Xander Bogaerts drove in a run with his crafty double, making it 3-1.

Let’s not forget the second-inning pitching shuffle; Jose Berrios stepped in but after a single inning, got replaced by Ryan Helsley on one side and then Lance Lynn on another. Managers were playing 4D chess with their rosters!

Moving deeper into the game, the fourth inning was a spectacle as Ozzie Albies fired off a triple, followed by a nifty Omar Narvaez sac fly adding another run to the tally. But wait, there’s more! Charlie Morton faced the music when Charlie Blackmon clocked a two-run homer to right field—now we’re sitting pretty at 6-2.

In the fifth, our jaws dropped when Mike Trout blasted a solo shot bringing the American League closer at 6-3.  The Home Run Shot was estimated at 496 feet.   But hey, who doesn’t love a good comeback tease?

Rounding the final bend, the ninth inning had folks on the edge of their seats. Could the trailing American League bounce back? Well, they gave it a good ol’ college try, but despite reaching base, couldn’t light the fuse against Josh Hader and Hyun-Jin Ryu, who sealed the deal. It was three strikes and lights out for batter Eugenio Suarez, wrapping up the scoring frenzy at 6-3.

And just like that, another chapter of baseball heroics comes to a close. With twists at every turn, this All-Star clash was a ballet of bats and a symphony of strategic pitching changes. Big props to the players who shone brightest: Bellinger with that sweet double, Blackmon’s pole-hugging homer, and Trout going yard.  But in the end, the MVP was Charlie Blackmon of the Columbus Explorers emerged as the star among stars. Blackmon’s bat spoke loudly, going 2 for 3—an impressive stat line by any measure. His home run was a thing of beauty, arcing through the sky and sending the crowd into a frenzy. With two RBIs to his name and crossing the plate twice himself, Blackmon’s performance was nothing short of magnificent.

With the final out recorded and the field lights dimming, fans shuffled out, still buzzing from the thrill of the game. This wasn’t just another All-Star Game; it was a testament to the passion and skill defining the Mid-West Baseball League. And as for Charlie Blackmon, this night was a jewel in the crown of his already stellar career.

FINAL SCORE:
NATIONAL LEAGUE 6 – AMERICAN LEAGUE 3

WP: Jose Berrios 1-0 (9.00)
LP: Gerrit Cole 0-1 (18.00)
SAVE: Hyun-Jin Ryu #1

MVP:  Charlie Blackmon went 2 for 3 with a Home Run, 2 RBIs, & 2 Runs Scored.