Former American Legion Baseball players made their mark on the Midsummer Classic and the surrounding events in Miami this week.
Former American Legion Baseball players made their mark on the Midsummer Classic and the surrounding events in Miami this week.
Decatur Post 15 (Ala.) alum Craig Kimbrel pitched a scoreless inning and earned the win in a 2-1 American League victory on July 11.
Bryce Harper, the leading vote-getter in the All-Star balloting and a Las Vegas Legion alum, may have had the best performance among Legion alums, reaching base in both plate appearances and making a diving catch to end a threat.
Minnesota Legion alum Brad Hand may have also made his case for being the most valuable Legion alum in the game, pitching a perfect seventh inning, including a three-pitch strikeout of eventual game MVP Robinson Cano.
Also of note, Creve Coeur Post 397 (Mo.) Legion alum Max Scherzer earned the start for the National League and pitched a scoreless inning, as well.
Oakland A's top pitching prospect A.J. Puk headlined the Futures Game on July 9, closing out the 7-6 victory for Team USA. Puk played on the 2012 American Legion USA Baseball Tournament of Stars team. Assistant coaching for that team was Jim Peck, who is a Minnesota American Legion Baseball Committee member and American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Famer.
The All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game was headlined by two former Legion ballplayers who will be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame this month: Ivan Rodriguez and Tim Raines.
Raines hit two home runs and made a stellar defensive play to help lead the National League to a high-scoring 28-22 victory and earn co-MVP honors.
Rodriguez received a hero's welcome as he returned to the city where he won the 2003 World Series. Rodriguez was also honored prior to the All-Star Game, which celebrated Latin-born players enshrined in Cooperstown, N.Y.
In addition, national staff participated in the Electric Run MLB All-Star 5k and attended All-Star Zumba, both of which benefit MLB Charities to support youth baseball and youth softball programming.
- Baseball