The National League had an unlikely hero emerge in the 2023 MLB All-Star Game, as Colorado Rockies catcher Elias Díaz earned the All-Star Game MVP award after coming through with the biggest play of the game.
Díaz has largely been seen as a solid, but unexceptional player over the course of his nine-year tenure in the MLB. This season has been hands down the best of his career, hitting .277 with nine home runs at the All-Star break.
This earned him his first All-Star Game appearance, and he certainly made the most of it. Díaz came through when it mattered most for the National League, hitting a two-run home run off of Orioles star reliever Felix Bautista.
Elías Díaz with a go-ahead 2-run homer off Orioles closer Félix Bautista! ⚾️💣🔥 #AllStarGame pic.twitter.com/8GJZVnBslL
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) July 12, 2023
His home run would end up being the difference in the game, as the National League held off the American League to secure a 3-2 victory.
"The National League's finally back on top! Its first All-Star Game win since 2012!"- Joe Davis ⚾️🎙️ #AllStarGame pic.twitter.com/QRxoInRhX3
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) July 12, 2023
Shortly after the game, Díaz received his All-Star Game MVP award, which clearly made him emotional as he mentioned all of the sacrifices his mother made to get him to this point.
Incredible
All-Star Game MVP Elías Díaz gets emotional talking about his mother being in attendance to see his game-winning home run 🙏 🙏 @Rockies pic.twitter.com/OPahgYgOr4
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 12, 2023
It was certainly a great moment for Díaz, and fans took to social media to praise him for the terrific game as he goes into baseball history forever with this award.
What a moment 🙏
Elías Díaz gets emotional talking about his mother being in attendance tonight 💜
(via @MLBONFOX)pic.twitter.com/1BsuDOKp3v
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) July 12, 2023
Elias Diaz is just living life right now pic.twitter.com/oXmikzCrMa
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 12, 2023
Elias Diaz (+10000) takes home the #AllStarGame MVP! 🔥🏆 pic.twitter.com/rBRJX2OFl7
— TheRX (@TheRxForum) July 12, 2023
Moments before Elias Díaz is awarded the Ted Williams MVP Award for outstanding performance in the 2023 MLB All-Star Game. pic.twitter.com/2WwKERXdq8
— DNVR Rockies (@DNVR_Rockies) July 12, 2023
Avs: 2022 Stanley Cup Champions
DU hockey: 2022 NCAA Champions
Mammoth: 2022 NLL Champions
Broncos: 2022 Spongebob Meme, Christmas Edition (sorta)
Nuggets: 2023 NBA Champions
Jokic: 2023 NBA Finals MVP
Elias Diaz: 2023 MLB All Star Game MVPTHE WINNING DOESN'T STOP
— Kevin (Only Jokic can save us now) (@_Kevlar23_) July 12, 2023
This marks the first time that a Colorado Rockies player has received the All-Star Game MVP award.
The National League won their first All-Star Game since 2012.
Elias Díaz is the first Rockies player to win All-Star Game MVP. pic.twitter.com/hxM8AUe5Bf
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 12, 2023
The Rockies as a team haven’t had much success this season, sitting at the bottom of the NL West at the All-Star break. This awesome moment for Díaz at least gives Rockies fans something aside from team results to cheer about.
