Shane Bieber has had quite a year. The Cleveland Indians right handed pitcher is just in his second year in the big leagues. Bieber can already be called a Most Valuable Player at age 24.
Bieber made Indians history by becoming the first pitcher in team history to strike out the side in an inning of the All-Star game. Indians pitching greats Bob Feller, C.C. Sabathia, Charles Nagy among others can’t make that claim.
Shane Bieber.
That's it.
That's the tweet.#AllStarGame | #RallyTogether pic.twitter.com/HAR8FjeYc6
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) July 10, 2019
Bieber, who was just added to the American League squad last Friday struck out the side in the top of the fifth inning. He struck out Willson Contreras of the Chicago Cubs, Ketel Marte of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Ronald Acuna Junior of the Atlanta Braves.
Shane Bieber, MVP.
— Tom Withers (@twithersAP) July 10, 2019
The performance resulted in Bieber taking home the 2019 Major League Baseball All-Star game Most Valuable Player award in his home ballpark.
Shane Bieber started the season as our 5th starter.
Tonight, he was named MVP of the #AllStarGame.
The sky is the limit for you, @ShaneBieber19. 👏#RallyTogether pic.twitter.com/glcceremrS
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— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) July 10, 2019
Indians players have now won the Most Valuable Player award in back to back All-Star games held in Cleveland. Sandy Alomar Junior won the award in 1997, the last time the mid summer classic took place in Cleveland.
Bieber and the American League beat the National League 4-3. The American League has won seven consecutive All-Star games.
As for Bieber’s Indians teammates selected to play in the game it was an uneventful night. Carlos Santana started the game at first base. Santana went hit-less in three at bats.
Shortstop Francisco Lindor entered the game in the bottom of the fifth inning as a pinch hitter and struck out. Lindor went hit-less in two at bats. Lindor made his mark on the game with his mouth. He talked with the Fox broadcast crew during the top of the sixth inning.
Closer Brad Hand served as the set up man for the American League. Hand had a rough eighth inning allowing two runs on two hits with a pair of walks in his one inning of relief.
Together, we stand #CookieStrong. ❤️ https://t.co/1wmFn6KEYK
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) July 10, 2019
The best moment of the night took place between the fifth and sixth innings. The Indians players stood on the third base foul line with teammate Carlos Carrasco during the ‘Stand Up For Cancer” tribute. Carrasco revealed he is battling leukemia last week. He has not pitched since May.
Manager Terry Francona served as the American League bench coach for Alex Cora.
Scott Piker is the Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Cavaliers and Cleveland Indians Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage.com. So follow him on twitter @ScottPikerSport