Texas’ six teammates on field at same time a feat unseen since 1951.
The Rangers had four position players join Heim in the AL’s starting lineup, including Marcus Semien, Corey Seager, Adolis García and Josh Jung. When pitcher Nathan Eovaldi took the mound in the second inning, Texas made history by becoming the first club to have six players on the field at the same time in an All-Star Game since the 1951 Brooklyn Dodgers (per Elias Sports Bureau).
A ball thrown by Eovaldi during that inning and signed by the Rangers on the field is on its way to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY.
“That’s gotta be one of the cooler moments in sports when you got half the team on the field is your own team and in an All-Star Game,” Heim said before the NL rallied for a 3-2 victory. “I was glad I got to share the deal with these guys today.”
“It’s incredible,” Eovaldi added. “I’ve been fortunate. Obviously we overlook these little things during the season, because we get to be around each other all the time. But to be able to share this moment with those guys, everything that we put in, it means the world, it’s awesome.”
It’s fitting that the Rangers would overload this year’s All-Star squad, considering they hope to do the same in their home ballpark in 2024. The club will host the Midsummer Classic at Globe Life Field next year in what will be the ballpark’s fifth season.
“You heard the fans when they announced all the Seattle players,” Heim said. “So I think if that happens, and we got five starters, again, it’s gonna be really loud in Globe Life. It’s gonna be a cool environment and it’s gonna be a blast.” ballpark, which opened in 2020.
Rangers officials have spent the last two weeks in Seattle, shadowing the Mariners’ group and working on ways to improve upon an already successful All-Star event. Rangers executive vice president of business operations Rob Matwick has led the charge as the organization continues to prepare for one of MLB’s biggest events.
“[The Mariners] have done a tremendous job of being a great host,” Matwick said. “Everybody in our group is now trying to say ‘OK, how do we translate this to Globe Life Field and to the Entertainment District.’ So those wheels are spinning now. By having the opportunity to come and see it, that does pay huge dividends. So hopefully we’re better served for it, and ultimately, our fans and the All-Star players when they come to see us are too.”
