Webb, Ramos look back on first All-Star experience

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DENVER -- While most of their Giants teammates went home and relaxed over the All-Star break, Logan Webb and Heliot Ramos spent two whirlwind days in Arlington, Texas, where the duo got to experience their first taste of the Midsummer Classic.

“It was awesome,” Webb said. “Me and Ramos had a great time. It was honestly really cool meeting players that I’ve played against for a long time. I got to meet guys that I’ve watched for a long time. It was really fun. Obviously, I wish I pitched a little bit better. But I blame it on myself. I probably enjoyed myself a little too much the night before at some of those festivities. But it was a great time.”

Webb took the mound for the National League in the third inning, but he gave up three runs while facing the heart of the American League’s order, with most of the damage coming on Yankees star Juan Soto’s two-run double. The AL went on to win, 5-3, to secure its 10th victory in the past 11 All-Star Games.

“I was frustrated, obviously,” Webb said. “I didn’t want to go out there and give up three runs. But the experience was amazing. Hopefully, I’ll get to try again and maybe this time I’ll know better.”

Ramos took his lone at-bat of the game in the eighth and struck out swinging against Rangers reliever Kirby Yates.

“I wanted to hit a tank, but it is what it is,” Ramos said.

Both players said the highlight of the experience was the chance to mingle with some of the sport’s biggest stars and learn more about how they approach the game. Webb said he was particularly excited to meet Pirates rookie sensation Paul Skenes, who got the starting nod for the NL and lived up to the hype by working a scoreless first inning.

“I got to talk to him a ton,” Webb said. “I kind of picked his brain, but it’s really kind of hard to pick his brain because I throw zero like him. His splinker or whatever he throws is like three miles per hour harder than my fastball.”

Ramos, meanwhile, relished the chance to meet sluggers like Marcell Ozuna of the Braves and Teoscar Hernández and Freddie Freeman of the Dodgers. Ramos said he saw Freeman hitting in the cage one day and sought out tips on how to handle high fastballs.

Freeman’s advice?

“Just push it down,” Ramos said. “Try to foul off the high pitch and try to make the pitcher bring it down.”

Ramos and Webb were both on the field for the Home Run Derby, which Hernández won by edging the Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. in the final round. Ramos, who finished the first half with a team-high 14 home runs despite not making his season debut until May 8, wasn’t invited to participate this year, but he said he’d be open to doing it if the opportunity presents itself in the future.

“I’m down for that,” Ramos said. “I need that million.”