Four reasons why Rockies fans should care about the All-Star Game

It’s not only Nick Griffith, Raul Martinez and Kami Carmann that get fired up over sports. Our bevy of sports interns always have something to say. Occasionally it’s good enough to repeat.

Vincent Ortega is a Colorado native. As a kid growing up in Denver, he was 10-years-old when the Rockies started here in Denver. Here’s his spin on why fans should care about the MLB All-Star game, which airs right here on FOX31 Denver Tuesday at 5:30pm.

4.  NATIONAL LEAGUE HAS WON TWO YEARS IN A ROW.

The winner of the All-Star game gets to be the home team first in the World Series. This has come in play for past two World Series champions which have been from the National League. As Rockies fans can remember back in 2007 after that epic playoff run we had to fly out to Boston and wait to play them. If the N.L. had won the All-Star game that year (lost 5-4) Boston would’ve had to come to Colorado and the outcome might have been different the way they were playing that year. You never know what kind of run the Rockies can put together. They have been known to step up their play in the 2nd half of the season.

3. FUTURE’S GAME.

The Colorado Rockies were supposed to have two players in this game one for the U.S. team and one for the World team. But the Rockies are in desperate need for pitching so they brought up their prized pitching prospect Edwar Cabrera who got roughed up in his first start. So the spotlight in the game for Rockies fans should be Nolan Arenado who is an upcoming talent at 3rd base. He can hit the ball and has great defense. He was Named MVP of the Arizona Fall League in 2011. He has won numerous other awards in the minor leagues also. Make sure to check him out as I am sure we will be seeing him in the MLB All-Star game in years to come!

2. HOME RUN DERBY!

Carlos Gonzales could become the first Rockies player to win the home run derby contest. CarGo has 17HR’s which is tied for 5th in the NL. He is on pace to have his highest HR total of his career. He is trying to accomplish something that 7 previous Rockies players have attempted but came up short. That list includes All-Time Rockies great Larry Walker who took 2nd in 1997 losing 3-1 in the HR derby finals. Gonzales was invited by fellow All-Star Matt Kemp to join the NL‘s Derby team. CarGo has been in 4 other homerun derbies in winter leagues in his home country Venezuela. His best finish was 2nd to Miguel Cabrera, whom he doesn’t have to face this time around.

1. THE ACTUAL ALL-STAR GAME

All the teams have to be represented by at least one player. Rockies fans were waiting for our best player Carlos Gonzales to be announced. He has been one of the bright spots for the Rockies this season so why not tune in to cheer him on? He certainly deserves it! It should also be known that Troy Tulowitzki was second in fan voting to the Cardinals’ Rafael Furcal. He should also be on this team if he didn’t get injured. Tulowitzki and Gonzales are the future of the Rockies and fans should be excited to see Gonzales on the big stage, which we should get used to seeing in years to come… NOW IF WE COULD JUST GET SOME PITCHERS IN THERE ON A REGULAR BASIS!!