Like almost everything that was affected by COVID-19 in 2020, the abbreviated baseball season was a smorgasbord of new rules and asterisks, with games played in empty stadiums where you could almost hear a pin drop in front of seats filled with cardboard cutout figures. In a word, it was bizarre.
Nowadays, with most restrictions lifted, ballparks are packed with fans. Baseball fever is back. So with the 2021 campaign at the halfway point, voting for which players will represent the American and National Leagues in the All-Star Classic on July 13th at Coors Field in Denver was enthusiastic… almost like the presidential election last September.
Two of the leaders in votes received were dynamic, 22 year old budding stars who just happen to be the sons of two former major league greats. Fernando Tatis Jr. of the San Diego Padres garnered more votes than any other National League shortstop and will be the team’s starting player at that position. The overall winner in the popularity contest was Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays, who will be starting at first base for the American League because he collected nearly three million votes. Then there is Ronald Acuña Jr. of the Atlanta Braves, the runner up in total votes, and he will begin the game in right field for the National League. Acuña, while extremely talented, is a controversial youngster who often lets his temper conflict with his zeal for the game. But the point to be made here is that a new era of Hispanic phenoms have brought a different level of excitement to the game, and it came at just the right time.
Tatis and Guerrero are bookends personality-wise, but both receive the ultimate amount of equal respect. Fernando, who broke into the league in 2019, has yet to play a full season because of COVID and a series of injuries. His offensive stats in 2021 are eye-popping, with 26 bombs, 57 runs batted in, a .305 batting average, a 1.084 OPS and 18 stolen bases. However, Tatis declined to participate in the Home Run Derby because of a tender left shoulder.
To watch Tatis play defense is in itself worth the price of a ticket. And the crowd eats up his extra activities, like varied types of bat flips and stutter-step dance moves before rounding third base after a ball leaves the yard. In fact, an MLB documentary called Tatis: The Rise of El Niño, will air on July 14th, one day after the game at 5pm. The film will chronicle Fernando’s journey from childhood to present day success, his happy go lucky yet intense style of play, and the special bond he has with his dad, Fernando Tatis Sr.
Vlad Guerrero Jr. is the type of kid who leads by example rather than seek the limelight. The 6-2, 250 pound slugger is much like his pop, who was inducted into the Cooperstown Hall of Fame in 2018 and gave one of the shortest speeches ever, a tick over four minutes including the translation from Spanish to English. The junior Guerrero, who was born in Montreal where his dad played for many years, speaks Spanish, French and the English is improving. He debuted in Toronto as a third baseman, but has found a new home this year at the first base bag, and the comfort zone has resulted in video game type numbers offensively. Guerrero has hit 28 long flies, 69 RBI’s and is batting a sizzling .336 average. Also, young Vlad has been solid and healthy, playing in every Blue Jays game this year. He will be playing on an all-star team loaded with Latino players, including Teoscar Hernandez, Guerrero’s teammate with the Jays, veteran catcher Salvador Perez from the Royals, Rafael Devers of the Red Sox, plus Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa from the Astros.
The National League is not quite as heavily Hispanic, with only Juan Soto of the Nationals and Arizona’s Eduardo Escobar joining Tatis and Acuña as position players, and the Rockies German Marquez as a front line pitcher. But that doesn’t concern Fernando, who takes great pride in this first career milestone. After all, he is the first Padre to be selected as an all-star starter since the great Tony Gwynn in 1999, and the late HOF outfielder was injured that year and couldn’t play.
“It’s a dream come true…you can feel the love from the fans,” says the articulate Tatis. “It’s a huge step for me but at the same time, it’s a huge step for the organization.”
