How The Baseball All-Star Game Might Have Looked
Dave Roberts Would Be On the All-Star Coaching Staff For a Third Straight Year
Chavez Ravine was shining last night, or at least it should have been. Most of the Dodger Stadium sellout crowd, who have become notorious for leaving games early, would in all likelihood have stuck around for all nine innings last night.
Dave Roberts, the Los Angeles manager, would have probably been in the dugout for what would have been his third straight season on the coaching staff for the National League All-Stars. The two previous seasons he had been the manager, an irony considering this one happens to be in his own ballpark.
That story would have been just one of the many discussed during the 2020 All-Star game, originally scheduled for Tuesday, July 14. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic caused the cancellation of the Midsummer Classic, just as it has delayed Opening Day until the end of July.
Two of the sport's biggest young stars, Mike Trout of the Angels and Cody Ballinger of the Dodgers, would both have been playing in front of fans in their home town. Former American League Most Valuable Player Mookie Betts would have been playing in his new home park, having been traded from the Boston Red Sox over the winter.
Another newcomer to the City of Angels, third baseman Anthony Rendon, would likely have been in the All-Star contest. Having signed with the Angels as a free agent just weeks after leading the Washington Nationals to the World Series Championship, Rendon was certain to receive loud applause from the L. A. crowd.
That reaction, however, would not be bestowed upon several of Rendon's A. L. teammates whose reception, in fact, would likely have been just the opposite. Probable second base starter Jose Altuve would suffer a chorus of boo's during the introduction as well as each of his plate appearances.
Any other member of the Astros, whether he be Alex Bregman or George Springer or Carlos Correa, would have experienced a similar greeting. Los Angeles fans would express their disapproval of Houston, which has been accused of using sign stealing that may have cheated the Dodgers out of the 2017 World Series.
As we reflect on what the 2020 All-Star game might have given us last night, almost one thing is certain. The COVID-19 pandemic robbed fans in Los Angeles of cheering their diamond heroes, as well as jeering the opponents they now view as villains.
