July 15, 2015
NOTRE DAME, Ind. ââ’¬” In his first Major League Baseball All-Star Game Tuesday night in Cincinnati, Ohio, former University of Notre Dame standout A.J. Pollock watched from the dugout as all-time MLB greats Hank Aaron, Johnny Bench, Sandy Koufax and Willie Mays took the field in a pre-game ceremony. The Hebron, Connecticut native then was introduced to a crowd of 43,656 before patiently waiting his turn to enter the game that was televised nationally by FOX.
That time came in the seventh inning when Pollock trotted out to his usual spot in centerfield to replace starter and Pittsburgh Pirates superstar Andrew McCutchen. While Pollock only saw one play in the field, the play allowed him to show off his defensive prowess as he sprinted to his right and made a nice snag of a Prince Fielder liner that turned an RBI single into a sac fly.
In his lone at-bat, Pollock hit a high chopper to third base off Yankees power arm Dellin Betances.
Relive more of Pollock’s night throw this social media recap:
THE DAY OF THE ALL-STAR GAME
A.J. signs autographs at the All-Star Game red carpet event:
Fans of all teams want A.J.’s John Hancock at the #ASGRedCarpet. pic.twitter.com/6dFKcFgNHm
– Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) July 14, 2015
Irish women’s lacrosse fans may recognize A.J.’s wife as former defensive standout Kate Newall, who earned four monograms and played in 69 games with 61 starts from 2009-12 after crossing the pond (Middlesex, England) to attend Notre Dame.
A.J.’s wife Kate was almost as popular with kids from the @BGCA_Clubs asking for her autograph. #ASGRedCarpet pic.twitter.com/dWLLTryBuh
– Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) July 14, 2015
Pre-game interview:
National League team photo:
Paul Goldschmidt and A.J. Pollock in this year’s NL All-Star Team photo: pic.twitter.com/jK5WGfS7Fw
– Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) July 14, 2015
PRE-GAME
Hitting the cages:
A.J. keeping it cool at #ASG BP. pic.twitter.com/0ZNN4bMakz
– Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) July 14, 2015
Chatting it up in between cuts. pic.twitter.com/NWbKULcZZl
– Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) July 14, 2015
Being announced to the 40,000+ in attendance and the millions watching worldwide:
Our favorite #ASG All-Stars. pic.twitter.com/vmAZCFWxE0
– FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) July 15, 2015
GAME TIME
Watching and waiting from the dugout:
A.J. watching on while he waits his turn: #GoDbacks #ASG pic.twitter.com/cVxIs0c92m
– Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) July 15, 2015
ENTERING THE GAME
A.J. makes his presence known quickly:
Nice running grab by A.J.! 👏🏻 #ASG
– Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) July 15, 2015
THAT’S A WRAP
Pic from A.J.’s at-bat:
That’s a wrap from the 2015 #ASG. Thanks for representing the #Dbacks with skill and class, Goldy and A.J. pic.twitter.com/iSBxjL5qCE
– Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) July 15, 2015
–Russell Dorn, Assistant Athletics Communications Director
–ND–