The American League came from behind to defeat the National League in the 2022 MLB All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium, led by back-to-back home runs from Giancarlo Stanton and Byron Buxton.
Stanton’s game-tying blast in the fourth inning reached the cutout portion of the pavilion in left-center field and earned him All-Star Game MVP honors.
“I can’t really explain how special this is,” the Southern California native said. “It’s hard to put into words that this is reality right now.
“It’s really cool. I’m soaking it all in. All full circle. Always tried to get a ball thrown to me from left field when I was a kid. Just to be out there is so fun. So cool.”
Stanton went into further detail about his Los Angeles Dodgers fandom as a child. “I loved (Raul) Mondesi. His arm was crazy. I remember him throwing it from the warning track all the way to third sometimes,” Stanton recalled.
“Mike Piazza was always cool to see. Hideo Nomo. But it was really the big boppers. When they would come into town, I would try to make sure I saw (Mark) McGwire, (Sammy) Sosa, (Barry) Bonds. Even for two at-bats.
“Try to drive down here, get a ticket off the street and come try to see what they could do in two at-bats. All of that wraps around in full circle when I’m out there.”
With the New York Yankees and Dodgers both at the top of their respective leagues, Stanton could potentially return to Chavez Ravine in October. “Do I ever think about it? Absolutely. For sure,” Stanton said of a potential Dodgers-Yankees World Series matchup.
“On paper it’s lined up that way for a few years. Now both sides need to take care of business and get it done. If that’s how it ends up, cool. But you’re not coming in here just enjoying playing here if that’s the case. We’re going to try to win.”
Stanton recalls working with Dodgers scout
Prior to being selected by the Florida Marlins in the second round of the 2007 MLB Draft, Stanton had the support of Dodgers Southern California area scout George Genovese, with the hope that the team would select him.
“I had many conversations with him. I know he was working on them. He came to watch me hit in the cage and he brought me out to the workouts and all that,” Stanton said.
“He said he was trying to convince them, but it didn’t work out. I know he was rooting for me and hoping that he did, so always appreciate him for that.”
L.A. drafted Chris Withrow and Jon Adkins instead of Stanton in 2007.
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