How about that Elias Díaz?
By Noah Spirek | @NoahSpirek | July 12, 2023
With the 2023 All Star festivities all wrapped up, let’s look at how the Rockies’ representatives have fared at the Midsummer Classic throughout their 31 years of existence.
2023 – Elias Díaz
At about 10:45 eastern on Tuesday night, Elias Díaz changed the All Star Game. Trailing 2-1 in the top of the eighth inning with a runner on first, Díaz was locked in a 2-2 count against one of the best closers in the sport, Félix Bautista. Bautista threw a changeup, and Díaz launched just beyond the wall in left field. Upon completing his trip around the bases, Díaz had given the National League a 3-2 lead. That score held through the ninth inning, and Elias Díaz became the first Rockie to be named All-Star MVP. The win, at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, gave the National League their first All Star Game win since 2012.
What a moment.
2022 – C.J. Cron
The 2022 All Star Game was played at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. The Rockies only had one representative, 1B C.J. Cron, and he only got one plate appearance, in which he grounded out. The AL All Stars won the game, 3-2.
2021 – Germán Márquez
In 2021, the Rockies hosted their second All Star Game, and first since 1998. The Rockies lone representative, Germán Márquez, came into the game in the fourth inning and pitched a 1-2-3 inning with a strikeout. It was a fun moment to watch the standing ovation he received from the hometown crowd as he walked off the mound. The AL All Stars won the game, 5-2.
2020 – N/A (Pandemic-Shortened Season)
2019 – Nolan Arenado, Charlie Blackmon, David Dahl, Trevor Story
The 2019 NL All Star roster included four Rockies, with Nolan Arenado being the lone starter at third base. Charlie Blackmon hit a solo homer and finished 1-2, and David Dahl singled in his only at-bat. Nolan went 0-2 and Story went 0-1. Chuck Nazty’s homer couldn’t lead to an NL victory, as the AL won this game at Progressive Field (Cleveland), 4-3.
2018 – Nolan Arenado, Charlie Blackmon, Trevor Story
The 2018 ASG was played in Nationals Park and featured a slew of home runs as the American League won, 8-6. Nolan Arenado was an NL starter, and he went 0-2 but did reach base via walk. Charlie Blackmon finished 0-3, but Trevor Story roped a solo homer and went 1-2 on the night.
2017 – Nolan Arenado, Charlie Blackmon, Greg Holland, DJ LeMahieu
In 2017, the Rockies sent two ASG starters, Nolan and Chuck, to Marlins Park in Miami. Nolan went 2-2 with a pair of singles, and Charlie went 0-3. Greg Holland, the Rockies’ closer, pitched a 1-2-3 inning with two strikeouts. LeMahieu did not play in the game. The AL won, 2-1.
2016 – Nolan Arenado, Carlos González
In 2016, the Rox had two ASG representatives, including LF starter Carlos González, and reserve Nolan Arenado. CarGo, after participating in the HR Derby the night before, went 1-2 with a single, while Nolan went 0-3. The final from Petco Park was 4-2, with the American League once again prevailing.
Cargo’s HR Derby Highlights, starts at his round!
2015 – Nolan Arenado, DJ LeMahieu, Troy Tulowitzki
The 2015 All Star game featured 3 Rockies infielders. DJ was the lone starter. Unfortunately, the three combined to go 0-4, and the AL won 6-3 at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati.
2014 – Troy Tulowitzki, Charlie Blackmon
In 2014, the All Star Game was hosted by the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. The Rockies had one starter, Tulo, at shortstop, and he went 1-3 with a double. Charlie went 0-2 off the bench. Yet again, the AL won, this time 5-3.
2013 – Carlos González, Troy Tulowitzki, Michael Cuddyer
2013 is the only year in franchise history that the Rockies sent three All-Star starters to the Midsummer Classic. CarGo started for the NL in right field, Tulo at shortstop, at Cuddyer as the National League’s DH. Unfortunately, they all went hitless in two at-bats apiece, but Cuddyer did earn a walk. At the conclusion of the game at Citi Field, the AL had shutout the NL, 3-0.
2012 – Carlos González
In 2012, the Rockies lone All-Star was CarGo, but he was a starter for the National League (DH). He went 0-2, but alas, the NL dominated at Kauffman Stadium, winning 8-0.
2011 – Troy Tulowitzki
The Rockies only All-Star in 2011 was Tulo, but he was a starter for the NL team. He finished 1-2, and the National League took the win, 5-1, at Chase Field in Arizona.
2010 – Troy Tulowitzki, Ubaldo Jiménez
In 2010, Ubaldo Jiménez was the starting pitcher for the National League, and he threw two scoreless innings, giving up two hits, walking one, and notching one strikeout. Tulo did not play, but the NL won 3-1 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim.
Can’t find highlights of the ASG but here is a video recognizing Ubaldo’s greatness.
2009 – Brad Hawpe, Jason Marquis
The 2009 ASG, hosted by the Cardinals in Busch Stadium, saw two Rockies on the NL roster. Brad Hawpe came off the bench and went 0-2, and Jason Marquis made the roster as a pitcher but he did not enter the game. The American League won, 4-3.
2008 – Matt Holliday, Aaron Cook
In 2008, following their miraculous run to the World Series in ‘07, the Rockies sent Matt Holliday and Aaron Cook to the ASG in Yankee Stadium. Holliday, the RF starter for the National League, went 1-3 with an RBI, and Cook, who pitched in relief for the NL, went three innings, gave up four hits and three walks, but did not allow a run. The AL won, 4-3, in 15 innings.
Aaron Cook remembering his 2008 ASG appearance.
2007 – Matt Holliday, Brian Fuentes
The San Francisco Giants and AT&T Park hosted the 2007 ASG, which featured two Rockies on the roster. Matt Holliday came off the bench and went 0-2, and Brian Fuentes did not pitch in the game. The AL bested the NL, 5-4.
2006 – Matt Holliday, Brian Fuentes
In 2006, the Rox sent Fuentes and Holliday to PNC Park to represent the National League. Holliday went 0-for-3, while Fuentes pitched a 1-2-3 inning with a strikeout. The AL won, 3-2 after Trevor Hoffman blew the save in the ninth.
Video starts at Fuentes appearance.
2005 – Brian Fuentes
The Rockies sent pitcher Brian Fuentes to Detroit and Comerica Park, where he did not make a pitching appearance. The AL jumped out to a 7-0 lead, and ended up winning 7-5.
2004 – Todd Helton
In 2004, the Rockies lone ASG representative was Todd Helton, who went 0-for-1. The AL won 9-4 in Minute Maid Park.
2003 – Todd Helton, Shawn Chacon, Preston Wilson
The 2003 ASG was played at U.S. Cellular Field, and the Rockies had Todd Helton start for the NL squad. Helton hit a two-run homer and finished 1-for-2. Preston Wilson went 1-for-2 off the bench, and Shawn Chacon was on the team but did not make an appearance. AL took it, 7-6.
2002 – Todd Helton
In 2002, the Rockies had one representative, but he was a starter for the NL: 1B Todd Helton. He went 1-for-2 with an RBI, and the game ended in a TIE at Miller Park in Milwaukee.
2001 – Todd Helton, Larry Walker, Mike Hampton
In 2001, the Rockies had two ASG starters, Helton at first base and Walker as the designated hitter. They both went 0-for-2, and Mike Hampton came on relief for the NL and pitched one inning, giving up an unearned run. The AL ended up winning 4-1 at Safeco Field.
2000 – Jeff Cirillo, Jeffrey Hammonds, Todd Helton
The 2000 ASG saw three Rockies at Turner Field. Unfortunately, the three combined to go 0-for-4, and the AL won 6-3.
1999 – Larry Walker
In 1999, the Rockies only All-Star was Larry Walker, however, he was a starter in right field for the NL squad. He went 0-for-2, and the AL won 4-1 at Fenway Park.
1998 – Larry Walker, Dante Bichette, Vinny Castilla
The Blake Street Bombers at Coors Field in the 1998 All Star Game. It couldn’t have been set up any better. Unfortunately, the three combined to go 0-for-5, and the AL won a “Coorsy” high scoring contest, 13-8.
1997 – Larry Walker, Andres Galarraga
The Rockies sent Larry Walker and Andres Galarraga to Jacobs Field, where the AL bested the NL, 3-1. Larry Walker started in right field for the NL, and Galarraga got one at-bat off the bench. Both went hitless.
1996 – Dante Bichette, Ellis Burks, Eric Young Sr
In 1996, three Rockies went to Veterans Stadium to play for the National League. Dante Bichette was a starting right fielder, and he went 1-for-3 with a double. Ellis Burks went 1-for-2 with a triple, and EY Senior went 0-for-1. The National League won, 6-0.
1995 – Vinny Castilla, Dante Bichette
Vinny Castilla got the start at third base for the NL in the 1995 ASG, and Dante Bichette came off the bench. Both went hitless, and the NL won 3-2 at The Ballpark in Arlington.
1994 – Dante Bichette
In 1994, the Rockies lone All Star, Dante Bichette, went 1-for-1 with a single in his only at-bat late in the game. The NL was able to win, 8-7, in 10 innings at Three Rivers Stadium.
1993 – Andres Galarraga
In their first year as a member of Major League Baseball, Andres Galarraga became the first All Star in Rockies franchise history. He only got one at-bat, he went hitless, and the AL won 9-3 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
Story by Noah Spirek.
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