The 2022 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was played on July 19, 2022, at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. The MLB spreads and odds for the game were tight as the game brought together two well-matched teams.
The game features the best players of the American League and National League facing each other, as happens virtually every year, with a few exceptions. Most recently, there was no All-Star Game in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here's a recap of highlights from the 2022 MLB All-Star Game:
Who Won The MLB All-Star Game?
The 2022 MLB All-Star Game was won by the American League 3-2. It was the ninth consecutive victory for the American League over the National League. Since 1997, the National League has only beaten the American League twice, with the infamous tie game in 2002. (After that fiasco, MLB implemented tie-breaker rules to prevent any future ties.)
The NL scored two runs in the first inning to take a 2-0 lead. One of the runs came from a solo home run by St. Louis Cardinals star Paul Goldschmidt.
The score stayed that way until the top of the fourth when New York Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton hit a home run with a man on to tie the game at 2-2. That was followed in the same inning by a solo homer by Minnesota Twins star Byron Buxton in what became the winning run.
Stanton would go on to win the All-Star Game MVP.
Mic'd Up
Fox Sports, which broadcasted the All-Star Game, selected a few players to wear microphones during the game to provide the viewers watching at home with insight from players while they are on the field.
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Alek Manoah made the most of his time being mic'd up while pitching for the AL in the second inning. He had just struck out two batters and was riding a high. He decided to ask the booth what type of pitch he should throw next. John Smoltz suggested a back-foot slider and Manoah delivered. However, the ball hit his opponent, Jeff McNeil, in the foot.
However, Manoah didn't let it phase him, as he struck out the next batter, completing the impressive feat of striking out the side in his only inning.
The First Pickoff Since 2008
After Los Angeles Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani led off the game for the AL with a single, LA Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw managed to catch Ohtani sleeping by picking him off on a throw to first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. It was the first pickoff in an All-Star game since 2008.
Denzel Washington Honors Jackie Robinson
Denzel Washington was on the field before the game started as part of a tribute to Los Angeles Dodgers and MLB legend Jackie Robinson. In his speech, Washington marked the 75th anniversary of Robinson’s first-ever Major League Baseball game.
Robinson passed away in 1972, but his character, integrity, and passion still live on to this day. In Washington’s speech, he reminded us that Robinson lived life to the fullest:
"Whether it was charging down the baseline or standing tall for opportunity and justice, No. 42 blazed a trail that would light the way for people from every walk of life and every color and to this very day, every generation. That inspiration, that profound impact, looms just as large today as it did 75 years ago."
Summary
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game continues as an annual tradition that features the best player in the game. The 2022 game continued the tradition that highlights America's pastime. The 2023 All-Star Game will be played in Seattle.
Moonlighting as a blogger to pursue my interest and enjoyment of sports. Former high school and Division I athlete (now a "retired" family man) that loves watching and discussing all sports. Follow me on Twitter (@HoldoutSports) and like Holdout Sports on Facebook.
