Colorado Rockies Catcher Elias Diaz Joined All-Star Game Lore in MVP Performance
The National League beat the American League on Tuesday night in the All-Star Game, marking the first win for the NL since 2012.
Colorado Rockies catcher Elias Diaz hit a go-ahead homer in the top of the eighth inning to propel the NL to the 3-2 victory. With that hit, Diaz was named the MVP.
In addition to becoming the first Rockies player to win the MVP Award at the All-Star Game, Diaz also joined some other fun lists in both team and baseball history.
Per Sarah Langs of MLB.com:
go-ahead HR in ASG while trailing in 8th or later:
Today Elias Díaz
2003 Hank Blalock
1981 Mike Schmidt
1972 Cookie Rojas
1954 Gus Bell
1941 Ted Williams (walk-off)
There's multiple Hall of Famers on that list, so that's some excellent company for Diaz to be keeping.
Langs also says that Diaz is the fifth Rockies player to ever homer in the All-Star Game:
Rockies to homer in the All-Star Game:
Today Elias Díaz
2019 Charlie Blackmon
2018 Trevor Story
2008 Matt Holliday
2003 Todd Helton
It's been a breakout season for the 32-year-old backstop. He's hitting .277 this season with nine home runs and 45 RBI. He's also posted a .328 on-base percentage.
He's in his ninth season in the major leagues with the Pirates and Rockies. This was his first All-Star appearance.
The Rockies will open the second of the season on Friday night when they host the New York Yankees at Coors Field.
First pitch is set for 8:40 p.m. ET.
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