MLB All-Star Celebrity Softball Game: 5 Celebs I’d Like To See
The five celebrities I’d like to see at the MLB All-Star Legends & Celebrities Softball Game include a TV couple, a viral video sensation, an NBA champion, a multi-talented entertainer and America’s favorite uncle.
At one time, the All-Star Game was just a single game that took place shortly after the halfway point of the season. It has now become part of a nearly week-long celebration of baseball. The year’s All-Star Game will be played on Tuesday, July 12, at Petco Park in San Diego, but MLB has numerous All-Star activities scheduled for the days leading up to the game.
There is a PLAY BALL Park open from July 7-12 where kids can enjoy fun, engaging, and educational activities for youth baseball and softball players and their families. There is the Budweiser All-Star concerts series on Friday and Saturday night, featuring One Republic, Tori Kelly, and Gwen Stefani. The MLB All-Star Fanfest will take place at the San Diego Convention Center from July 8-12.
Soul Pose MLB All-Star Yoga sessions are available on July 9 to fans looking to get in touch with their inner chi. On Sunday, prior to the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game is The Color Run MLB All-Star 5k, presented by Nike. And, of course, after the Futures Game is complete, former players and celebrities with varying degrees of fame will play in the All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game.
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The All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game has been played during the All-Star festivities since 2001. The first game was played in Seattle and the teams were named after drinks in the coffee industry as a tribute to the ubiquity of coffee stands on every corner of every street in the Seattle area. In this initial game, Kenny Wayne was the manager of the Espressos. He matched wits with former Seattle Mariner Harold Reynolds, who managed the Lattes.
One of the legends of baseball on the Lattes team was former Mariners first baseman Alvin Davis, aka “Mr. Mariner.” I happened to be at the Home Run Derby in Seattle that year and personally witnessed my sassy little sister walk up to Alvin Davis as he waited for the elevator. There were people in line waiting who were using wheelchairs, crutches, or were elderly. My sister looked at Alvin Davis, looked at the elevator, looked back at him, and said, “You seem healthy enough to use the stairs.” Alvin Davis got an uncomfortable look on his face and said, “You’re right,” and took the stairs. I didn’t know whether to be embarrassed or proud of my sister.
That initial game in 2001 had a trio of actors from the 2001 movie Summer Catch—Freddie Prinze, Jr., Matthew Lillard and Jessica Biel. For his performance as left-handed pitcher Ryan Dunne, Freddie Prinze, Jr. was named one of the 10 worst baseball players in a movie. Jessica Biel, though, showed off considerable talent in the film.
The 2001 game also had James Van Der Beek. Remember when James Van Der Beek was a thing?
Over the years, the Legends & Celebrity Softball Game has had some interesting moments. In 2002, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. broke up Dave Winfield’s no-hitter in the bottom of the third. In 2003, Bo Jackson successfully pulled the hidden ball trick on Jimmy Kimmel. Bo came up later in the game with a bat he said had been given to him by George Brett, but the opposing manager, Harold Reynolds, challenged the amount of pine tar on the bat. The home plate umpire allowed it and Jackson hit a home run with the questionable bat.
In 2004, Nick Lachey charged the mound on Goose Gossage after three consecutive inside pitches. This was long before the Goose would voice his displeasure at the bat flip. The 2012 game was the first to feature players from the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team. Matt Kinsey, US Army, Operation Enduring Freedom, hit a home run and won the MVP award.
This year’s legends and celebrity list has been unveiled and there are a few of the usual suspects, along with some new faces. Let’s take a look at the participants before I reveal my top five celebrity suggestions.
Next: This Year's Legends and Celebrities