Venezuelans in the All-Star Game and those who are conspicuous by their absence in 2024 | By: Francisco Graterol Vargas

On Tuesday, July 16 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, when the representatives of the American League and National League take the field for the MLB All-Star Game, 6 players born in the homeland of Bolívar will be present at this important baseball event.

William Contreras will be the catcher for the National League and José Altuve will guard second base for the American League. The reserves include Salvador Pérez, catcher for the AL, Luis Arráez, first baseman and the fielders Ranger Suárez and Robert Suárez for the NL.

Much water has flowed under the bridges since 1951 when Alfonso “Chico” Carrasquel, was the first Latin and Venezuelan in an All-Star Game. Other Creoles have left their mark and among the most notable are Luis Aparicio with 13 and Miguel Cabrera With 12 participations.

For Salvador Pérez and José Altuve, this will be their ninth appearance in the All-Star Games. They are tied with David Concepción for third place with the most assists in this event.

Luis Arraez He will make history by becoming the first Venezuelan and only the fourth Latin American to be called up to the All-Star Game in three consecutive years with three different teams.Luis Arráez’s first call-up occurred in 2022 with the Minnesota Twins. He repeated the call-up in 2023, with the Miami Marlins. And now he adds 2024 to his record, but with the San Diego Padres. Contreras will see action for the second time, but the first time as a mask, since in the previous selection he did it as a designated hitter. The Suárez, Ranger Philadelphia Phillies pitcher and San Diego Padres closer Robert will be debuting.

NOTORIOUS ABSENCES. PLEASANT SURPRISES.

Without a doubt, the first figure of national baseball, Ronald Acuña Jr., will be the great absentee. The Atlanta Braves outfielder is one of the faces of the MLB along with Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Aaron Judge. Unfortunately, an injury took him out of the competition. Anthony Santander, an injustice? Always in these elections, first with the vote of “Juan Pueblito”, then by the manager and the MLB. There will be those who deserve to attend and have been given a “base on ball”. The Orioles outfielder is one of them. He has been a bastion in Baltimore’s great campaign in the AL East Division, disputing supremacy with the Yankees. Only Judge and Gunnar Henderson with 32 and 27 surpass him in home runs. He ties with the third of the Guardians with 23 homers. In addition, his timely connections have been a trademark in this campaign. We took him for granted, but on this occasion we struck out. Things you will see…

William Contreras, starting catcher in the NL

THE SUAREZ WERE A PLEASANT SURPRISE

Before the announcement of the play-ball for the 2024 campaign was made, almost no one gave a penny for Ranger and Robert. Let’s clarify. The Phillies pitcher was and has always been a warrior on the Quakers’ staff. A workhorse. But from there, the fact that the native of “Pie de Cuesta” had the season that he has had to the point that he is fighting for the NL Cy Young, I think that was not even in the prediction of the wizard of El Cumbe. As for the globetrotter of the San Diego Padres with his fastball that oscillates around 100 miles, it is an arm to envy. His campaign has been so brilliant that he is one of the best in the business of locking down games and was called to the All-Star Game. Why more Tomás…

Other Venezuelans who were heard in the preview of the 2024 season were Dr. Pablo López, pitcher of the Minnesota Twins who even gave him the ball on Opening Day; Orlando Arcia who led the voting for shortstops in last year’s JE; Ezequiel Tovar from Colorado, excellent in the defense of the shortstop and who will surely shine in the coming years due to his youth, he lacked a push with the bat to be in Arlington; Andrés Giménez platinum glove in 2023, however, this season he was left out; the same Elías Díaz, the MVP in 2023 might not repeat and you, my friend, look on your hard drive to see who is among your favorites and they left you with the rifle on your shoulder. The 2014 and 2022 editions remain the All-Star Games with the highest number of Venezuelans with 8. There are also 24 All-Star selections born outside the U.S. on the 2024 rosters, with players representing the Dominican Republic (10 All-Stars), Venezuela (six), Japan (two), Puerto Rico (two), Canada (one), Cuba (one), Curacao (one) and Mexico (one).

Below are all the selected winners for each circuit:

Holders

American League

Catcher: Adley Rutschman, Orioles
First base: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays
*Second base: Jose Altuve, Astros
Campocorto: Gunnar Henderson, Orioles
Third base: Jose Ramirez, Guardians
Designated hitter: Yordan Alvarez, Astros
Gardeners: Aaron Judge, Yankees; John Soto, Yankees; Steven Kwan, Guardians

National League

*Catcher: William Contreras, Brewers
First base: Bryce Harper, Filis
Second base: Ketel Marte, D-backs
Campocorto: Trea Turner, Filis
Third base: Alec Bohm, Filis
Designated hitter: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers
Gardeners: Christian Yelich, Brewers; Jurickson Profar, Padres; Fernando Tatis Jr., Padres

Pitchers

American League

Garrett Crochet, LZ, White Stockings
Tarik Skubal, LZ, Tigres
Tanner Houck, LD, Medias Rojas
Seth Lugo, RHP, Royals
Cole Ragans, LHP, Royals
Logan Gilbert, LD, Marineros
Corbin Burnes, LD, Orioles
Tyler Anderson, LZ, Angelinos
Mason Miller, LD, Athletics
Kirby Yates, LD, Rangers
Clay Holmes, LD, Yankees
Emmanuel Clase, LD, Guardians

National League

*Ranger Suarez, LZ, Filis
Tyler Glasnow, LD, Dodgers
Shota Imanaga, LHP, Cubs
Reynaldo Lopez, RHP, Braves
Logan Webb, LD, Gigantes
Paul Skenes, LD, Pirates
Chris Sale, LZ, Bravos
Zack Wheeler, LD, Filis
Ryan Helsley, RHP, Cardinals
Tanner Scott, LZ, Marlins
*Robert Suarez, RHP, Padres
Matt Strahm, LZ, Filis
Jeff Hoffman, LD, Philis

Substitutes

American League

*Salvador Perez, C, Royals
Carlos Correa, SS, Twins
Rafael Devers, 3B, Red Sox
Marcus Semien, 2B, Rangers
Kyle Tucker, OF, Astros
Josh Naylor, 1B, Guardianes
Isaac Paredes, 3B, Rays
Bobby Witt Jr., SS, Reales
Jarren Duran, OF, Red Sox
Riley Greene, OF, Tigres
David Fry, BD, Guardians

National League

Will Smith, C, Dodgers
Mookie Betts, SS, Dodgers
Freddie Freeman, 1B, Dodgers
Teoscar Hernandez, OF, Dodgers
Elly De La Cruz, SS, Reds
CJ Abrams, SS, Nationals
Ryan McMahon, 3B, Rockies
Jackson Merrill, OF, Padres
Heliot Ramos, OF, Giants
Bryan Reynolds, OF, Piratas
Marcell Ozuna, DH, Braves
*Luis Arraez, 1B, Padres
Pete Alonso, 1B, Mets