In Focus: 2024 All-Star Week
The Orioles sent five players – Corbin Burnes, Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman, Anthony Santander, and Jordan Westburg – to the 2024 All-Star Game at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The five selected marked the club’s most at the Midsummer Classic since 2016. Joining the players in Arlington was longtime Head Athletic Trainer Brian Ebel, and Orioles ballboy Tyler Smith.
In recognition of each player’s individual accomplishment, and as a nod to this year’s western theme, each player received a personalized tintype portrait created by the Orioles photo team.
Predating film photography, a tintype is an old style of photo that creates an image on a thin sheet of metal or iron. The process includes more than 30 steps, and each plate will last at least 150 years.
Following their 6-5 walk-off win over the New York Yankees on Sunday, the Orioles All-Stars and their families hopped on a plane to fly to Arlington, where the All-Star festivities officially began.
The stars were out on Monday as the Orioles participated in the 2024 All-Star Media Day where they spoke to local and national media, interacted with players from across the league, and even got to hop on a mechanical bull. The players showcased their personalities, letting baseball fans everywhere see the stars behind the All-Stars.
Monday night, the Orioles crowded around Henderson while all of Birdland tuned in to watch him compete in his first-ever Home Run Derby. Henderson reached double digit homers, and while he didn’t move on to the second round, he stole the show with his Scooby Doo inspired bat and spot-on impression. Players also got to hang out with “Saturday Night Live” comedian Marcello Hernández, who introduced the Home Run Derby contestants.
On Tuesday, the show continued when the Orioles got dressed to the nines and showed off their best red carpet looks. Burnes awarded Santander with the “flashiest” outfit, as the outfielder showed off his style and paid homage to his home country of Venezuela with his mom, dad, uncle, and girlfriend by his side. It marked the first red carpet for Santander, Westburg, and Henderson, who admitted to looking to Burnes and Rutschman for advice.
When the first pitch of the 2024 All-Star Game was thrown, the Orioles had three players on the field. Rutschman behind the plate, Henderson at short, and Burnes on the bump, his first career start in the Midsummer Classic. Burnes threw a scoreless first inning, allowing one hit and one walk. Rutschman held things down behind the plate, helping to hold the National League to just three runs. Henderson and Westburg both showed off their skills on defense, and Santander recorded a single in his first-ever All-Star Game, also scoring the go-ahead run on Jarren Duran’s home run.
The Orioles were well represented on the national stage and will welcome their All-Stars home when they take on the San Diego Padres on Friday, July 26.