Players have a superb time celebrating All-MLB Weekend
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LAS VEGAS -- It takes a lot to surprise someone as lively as Ronald Acuña Jr. But after his first trip to Las Vegas, consider it done. Was it the giant pyramid that wowed the star outfielder? The 106-foot concrete sphynx? Or the neon lights of the seemingly endless strip of resorts and casinos?
“It’s actually just been all surprising for me,” Acuña said. “Everything around it and the way that the city is, I’m just taken aback by it.”
Acuña was in Las Vegas for the All-MLB Team presented by MGM Rewards. While this marked the fifth edition of the All-MLB Team, it was the first time there has been an accompanying show. Dressed in black and gold, the HyperX arena at the Luxor Hotel and Casino hosted a number of current and former players at Saturday’s inaugural event.
“It’s been great,” said newly inducted Hall of Famer Fred McGriff. “You’ve got some young studs here. So it’s cool just mingling, planning to pick their brains. It’s a different era than when I played, so just having the chance to communicate is great.”
Comedian Roy Wood Jr. hosted the event, opening with a few lighthearted jabs -- one at the expense of McGriff. As Wood listed the new rules MLB implemented this past season, he asked McGriff how many bases the 19-year veteran could have stolen with the larger bases. McGriff, whose season high for stolen bases was eight (1992), confidently held up nine fingers.
In between the jokes, the winners were unveiled and players in attendance were presented with their award, or in the case of Acuña, awards. Atlanta’s star was named to the outfield First Team and was the NL recipient of the 2023 Hank Aaron Award.
Flame-throwing righty Emmanuel Clase took home second-team relief pitcher honors, before showing off his talents at catcher during the second half of the show. Seated at his table, Clase caught a marshmallow in his mouth that was tossed by a member of the Blue Man Group.
Aside from the shenanigans, an in-person show afforded the opportunity for players from different generations and eras of baseball to connect. Andre Ethier noted how rare it was for younger players to have the experience of spending time with former players outside of a more baseball oriented setting such as Spring Training, where a player might just “bump elbows” with a former player.
“To be able to have something like this that we’re getting to experience today … there was none of this going on in the 90’s era of baseball, let alone the 80s and let alone the 70s,” Ethier said. “That’s something I just hope the younger MLB player recognizes.”
It’s something that Braves and 2023 first-team third baseman Austin Riley not only recognized but appreciated, calling the opportunity to chat and play golf alongside McGriff one of the highlights of his week.
Friday’s moment on the driving range also resonated with Ethier.
“Getting to have a conversation with two great Braves, Riley and Fred McGriff. Having a chance to talk to two guys and just kind of hear them talk,” Ethier said, “It’s nice to see all the different eras of baseball come together.”
Though the golf tournament provided an element of competition to the week’s events, it was of course a dialed back version of the competitive nature these players find themselves in with each other during the season.
“It’s nice to actually have a real conversation with some of these guys, get to know them, not just in a competitive way,” said Kyle Bradish, who was named to the starting pitching Second Team. “You actually get to know their personality, not just the baseball player. So it’s nice to actually meet them.”
So while players will return to their competitive edge come spring with the return of the regular season on the horizon, they may do so with a new appreciation for their opponents, and possibly some trash talk material after the friendly golf tournament.
“I feel honored to be here,” said Orioles closer Félix Bautista, who was named to the relief pitcher First Team. “To be here with a bunch of current guys, but especially the former legends as well, it’s a really humbling experience. It’s something that I’m really excited about, the fact that I’m actually able to be here in Las Vegas to witness all this.”