The 2017 Major League Baseball All-Star Game took place last night at Marlins Park in Miami, and Latino players represented big time.
Yes, there were some hilarious, playful moments, but there were also some major highlights. The American League won 2-1, thanks to Dominican pelotero Robinson Canó’s 10th inning homerun.
Yadier Molina made history and had a great time doing it.
Yadier Molina hits the first home run of the #AllStarGame in the 6th inning!!! pic.twitter.com/lEUdmDvA8B
— TheRenderMLB (@TheRenderMLB) July 12, 2017
The catcher hit a home run last night in the sixth inning, making him the first Cardinal to hit a home run in the All-Star Game since 1974. He was also the MVP of the night!
Molina also had blinged-out catcher’s gear, and some people totally clowned him for it.
Yadier Molina looks like a Power Ranger lol #AllStarGame pic.twitter.com/qmX1p2BYlY
— Brittni Swanson (@BrittniLSwanson) July 12, 2017
Oh, come on, he looks great.
Molina also made fun of Bryce Harper’s “epic hair-flip” by doing his own!
Yadier Molina voting Bryce's Hair the MVP pic.twitter.com/8V34jTFdQ5
— Barno (@DCBarno) July 12, 2017
Classic! We can totally see this catching on in future games.
Wait, there’s more: Molina also made history by taking a picture DURING A GAME!
Now it makes sense #AllStarGame pic.twitter.com/5tYeTzhxs4
— MLB Memes (@MLBMeme) July 12, 2017
It all happened after Seattle Mariners slugger Nelson Cruz asked Molina to take a picture with his phone.
And here’s the actual photo: Yep, that’s Nelson Cruz and umpire Joe West.
Nelson Cruz + Joe West = Selfie Magic ? https://t.co/nKhQMzjSX8 pic.twitter.com/AG0nfu1RVw
— theScore (@theScore) July 12, 2017
We really know how to take advantage of a moment.
Because the game was at the Marlins stadium, the late Jose Fernandez was on many players’ minds. Bryce Harper of the Washington Nationals wore these cleats to honor Fernandez:
Harpers #AllStarGame cleats are sick ☝??? pic.twitter.com/FS9OXu1ExR
— Baseball Legend (@BasebaIILegend) July 12, 2017
These kicks need to be in a museum.
Latino baseball legends were also honored during the first pitch.
ICYMI: Latin American-born members of the @baseballhall tossed the ceremonial 1st pitch last night. #ASG2017 | #ForeverGiant | #SFGiants pic.twitter.com/bVqabtABqh
— San Francisco Giants (@SFGiants) July 12, 2017
Latino players recognized last night included Hall of Famers Roberto Alomar, Luis Aparicio, Rod Carew, Orlando Cepeda, Juan Marichal, Pedro Martinez, Tony Perez and Ivan Rodriguez. The late Roberto Clemente was also represented by his wife and MLB Goodwill Ambassador Vera Clemente, along with sons Roberto Jr., Luis and Roberto Enrique.
Of course, people poked fun at the height of Houston Astros second baseman José Altuve.
If the #AllStarGame was a movie pic.twitter.com/dU0SqaZEuZ
— Mark Derosa (@Faux7_Dero) July 11, 2017
Last night he wasn’t the shortest person at the game.
Altuve (5’6″) was taller than this guy! Al fin!
Only person Altuve is taller than is Ken! #AllStarGame pic.twitter.com/HZhOmOLJDk
— Bronx Pinstripes (@BronxPinstripes) July 12, 2017
And for whatever reason, people couldn’t stop touching Adrian Beltre’s hair.
I've noticed that I'm basically Adrian Beltre when folks try to touch my hair. I freak out. It's alarming. pic.twitter.com/vNZGefvSuK
— a.k.a. Andrew (@AKlahn) June 21, 2017
The Texas Rangers player was clearly not having it.
Thanks for an entertaining game, guys!
READ: Latino Baseball Players Talk About The Culture Clash They Experience Playing For MLB
