Realmuto enjoys All-Star experience with family

Marlins catcher takes trade rumors in stride

July 16th, 2018

The All-Star experience has become a family affair for Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto.
Miami's lone representative at the All-Star Game presented by Mastercard on Tuesday at Nationals Park, Realmuto is cherishing the event with his wife, Lexi, and their newborn daughter.
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Gracie Laine Realmuto was born July 10, a week before the All-Star Game, which can be seen at 7:30 p.m. ET on FOX. As a family, they made the trip to Washington, D.C.
"That was something that's very special to me, just spending my time with them," Realmuto said Monday during media day.
About the only snag was their flight out of Miami was delayed four hours, causing some consternation.
"We were on the plane four extra hours and [Gracie Laine] didn't make a peep," Realmuto said. "She was great. Me and my wife were a little upset, but the baby did great."
Also making the trip to the All-Star Game are Realmuto's parents and other family members. As the 27-year-old is adjusting to fatherhood, he's also enjoying his finest big league season -- entering the break with a slash line of .310/.365/.536 with 12 home runs, 20 doubles and 45 RBIs.
With so much going on in his life, Realmuto has had little time to process internally his impressive season.
"Obviously, the birth of my little baby girl, first and foremost is unbelievable, and definitely is the most important part," Realmuto said. "Then also being named to the All-Star Game, and getting to come here and experience all these things with these great players is something very memorable to me."
Also part of the All-Star experience for Realmuto is dealing with rumors that he possibly could get moved by the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline.
"My name will be part of those rumors," the catcher said. "I just have to kind of put that to the side and not pay too much attention to it. Until I get a call telling me I'm traded or not traded, all those rumors don't mean too much."

The Marlins have maintained they will listen on all players, but they also have made it clear the asking price for their All-Star catcher is extremely high. The club also has internally discussed exploring a contract extension with him in the offseason. Realmuto is arbitration eligible for two more years and would not qualify for free agency until 2021.
"The fact they would even think of me that way is obviously an honor, building around me and offering me an extension," Realmuto said. "That would be awesome. Obviously, that's something that we'd have to discuss internally. But just the fact they would think of me in that way means a lot to me."
All-Star festivities are dominanting the sports world this week, and a year ago, it was hosted at Marlins Park in Miami, providing national and internationl exposure for the market.
While watching the 2018 All-Star Game presented by Mastercard live on FOX on Tuesday, fans can submit their choices for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet with the 2018 All-Star Game MLB.com MVP Vote.
The 89th Midsummer Classic, at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., will be televised nationally by FOX Sports; in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS; and worldwide by partners in more than 180 countries. FOX Deportes will provide Spanish-language coverage in the United States, while ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide exclusive national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network, MLB.com and SiriusXM also will provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage.
For more information about MLB All-Star Week and to purchase tickets, visit AllStarGame.com and follow @MLB and @AllStarGame on social media.
For years, Realmuto has been knocking on the door to being an All-Star. He says he's finally knocked down that barrier.
Before heading to Washington, D.C., Miami manager Don Mattingly offered Realmuto a simple message.
"Enjoy it," Mattingly said. "It's well deserved. For me, it's been coming. All-Star Games are great, because you get to be among all the best players. To be in that locker room and part of that game. I don't know if it necessarily is a goal, but it tells the world that this guy is one of the best players in baseball. I think that is always something to be proud of."