Gallo, Olson trade swings ahead of Derby

ARLINGTON -- The All-Star break isn’t quite here yet, but the pregame scene at Globe Life Field on Saturday had a laid-back vibe that mimicked what players might expect when they participate in Midsummer Classic festivities.

Toward the end of the Rangers’ batting practice session, players from both teams -- the Rangers, and the visiting A’s -- gathered on the field to watch a rare event in Major League Baseball: All-Star Home Run Derby participants practicing for the big day.

Rangers outfielder Joey Gallo was the first to simulate what he might expect on Monday when he steps into the box for real for the Derby at Coors Field in Denver. A’s slugger Matt Olson, also a Derby participant, watched with amusement before eventually jumping in to take some swings of his own.

The scene was complete with teammates lounging on the ground and cheering the pair on -- similar to what you’ll see during the actual Derby. One of Gallo’s teammates even fanned him with a towel and offered him a sip of water when he was finished with his practice round.

Rangers third-base coach Tony Beasley, who will be throwing to Gallo at the Derby, noted that while this was all in good fun, there was a strategy behind this kind of prep work before the big day.

“We talked about it a couple days ago, that we wanted to practice and have some type of game plan to get a feel for it,” Beasley said. “It’s three minutes of hitting, which they don’t [normally] do. So to get a feel for the fatigue part of it. Obviously, it’s hard to simulate Colorado, and the air is thin. But we wanted to get a feel for the real process.”

There was a purpose to the session, but it also provided a light moment and a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the camaraderie that exists between opposing teams and players. A large gathering of Rangers fans watching batting practice received an eyeful of players from each team joking around, including Gallo and Olson, who spent quite a bit of time talking when they were done practicing.

Beasley indicated Olson’s practice Derby swings were more of an impromptu decision. The A’s first baseman saw Gallo swinging and eventually accepted the invite to do the same (though with his own pitcher -- A’s assistant hitting coach Eric Martins, who will also be his pitcher during the real deal on Monday).

“He just wandered out,” Beasley said of Olson. “We asked him, did he want to jump in and get some swings?”