ATLANTA – In the lifelong friendship between Jonathan Aranda and Alejandro Kirk, it is Aranda who’s theoretically the big brother.

Born on May 23, 1998, Aranda came into this world nearly six months before Kirk followed. And they’ve been besties since Aranda, he says, “knew how to speak,” while growing up in Tijuana.

Yet in the winding path from the hardball fields of Mexico to Major League Baseball, it was Kirk who arrived first in the big leagues, Kirk who stuck as a regular, won a Silver Slugger, made the All-Star team.

So it was no small thing when Kirk and Alejandro reported to Truist Park as teammates, two dreamers who all at once could claim the same honor: American League All-Star.

They are putting on for their ballclubs, their families and perhaps most notably for Mexico, a land that gets overlooked when the Dominican Republic and Venezuela are so prolific at sending their sons onward to the big leagues.

In this Midsummer Classic, though, there are four Mexican natives on the rosters: Aranda and Kirk, along with injured Houston Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes and Seattle Mariners closer Andrés Muñoz. Additionally, Mariners outfielder Randy Arozarena earned Mexican citizenship in 2022, seven years after defecting from Cuba.

It is no small thing, says Kirk.

“Mucho. Mucho para el pais, para Mexico,” he says, confirming how important it is for the country.

And yet no two connections in this game come close to Kirk and Aranda, whose families have converged on Atlanta for the game.

“I’m very happy to be here with him, my family, his family,” says Kirk via Blue Jays translator Hector Lebron. “The year he’s having right now is very special. I’m very happy for him.”

It’s a nice bit of timing that both are peaking for clubs in the throes of the American League East race. Kirk, a catcher, was an All-Star in 2022, when he batted .285 with a .372 OBP and was worth 4.0 WAR, yet tailed off the next two seasons.

In the meantime, Aranda failed in his first three bids to stick with Tampa Bay, never playing in more than 34 games before this season.

Yet at 27, it has all clicked. Aranda has posted a .324/.399/.492 line, his .892 OPS good for a 151 adjusted OPS. He has 31 extra-base hits. Despite his modest 11 home runs, he’s the best-performing first baseman in the AL.

And it’s even better joining a pal in the festivities.

“It means a lot. He’s my best friend since I was a kid,” says Aranda through Rays translator Eddie Rodriguez. “It is something really amazing to share the diamond and playing with him here.

“He was a great example. I know and I saw from up close, his path to make it to the major leagues.”

Aranda’s journey has similarly inspired the Rays, whose plug-and-play ethos sometimes doesn’t breed everyday players but rather platoon-oriented parts to a bigger machine.

But Aranda has seized his role, his 358 plate appearances trailing only fellow All-Star Junior Caminero and veteran DH Yandy Diaz. His 2.9 WAR leads a team now 50-47 and 1 ½ games out of a wild card berth.

“It’s all the recognition that he deserves. He’s finally up there on the national stage for what he’s able to do,” says Rays All-Star second baseman Brandon Lowe. “As consistent as he’s been all year, it’s fantastic to really kind of show him off a bit – this is our guy.”

And for the more veteran Rays, Aranda’s capabilities were probably more evident than the guy trying to stick for good.

“Just the confidence in himself, man,” says Lowe. “We all knew what he had; we’ve all seen it before. The big leagues is harder than the minors, believe it or not. It just took him a little bit to get going.

“The biggest thing is him understanding and not faltering and stuck to who he was.”

He’ll reap the benefits this week. Aranda will be joined in Atlanta by his parents, sisters, brother, brother-in-law and nieces.

And above all, will represent his country. Aranda says it will be something “really good and amazing” to know he and Kirk’s exploits will be beamed back home for a new generation.

His buddy agrees.

“First of all, you’ve got to be proud,” says Kirk. “Proud to represent my country, Mexico, and a bunch of Mexican players in the All-Star Game.

“We should all be proud of that.”

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After getting started on Monday, the nearly week-long spectacle of SEC football media days rolls on.

The second day of interviews with coaches and player representatives will take place on Tuesday, July 15 at the College Football Hall of Fame and Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park.

Each day of the four-day event features press conferences and interview breakout sessions with four of the league’s 16 teams.

After LSU, Ole Miss, South Carolina and Vanderbilt were highlighted on Monday, Tuesday features an even more loaded slate. Three of the conference’s projected top title contenders — Texas, Georgia and Tennessee — taking their turn at the dais and behind the microphone, with Auburn rounding out the quartet.

USA TODAY Sports had updates and highlights from Day 2 at the SEC media days in 2025. Check them out below:

Watch SEC media days live with Fubo (free trial)

SEC media days interview schedule

Each day of SEC media days will highlight four teams from the conference, with players and the head coach from those squads speaking on a designated day.

Here’s a look at which teams will be appearing on each day of the event, with schools listed in alphabetical order, not the order in which their coach will be speaking at their press conference:

Monday, July 14

LSU
Ole Miss
South Carolina
Vanderbilt

Tuesday, July 15

Auburn
Georgia
Tennessee
Texas

Wednesday, July 16

Alabama
Florida
Mississippi State
Oklahoma

Thursday, July 17

Arkansas
Kentucky
Missouri
Texas A&M

SEC media days — Day 2 speakers

Here is who will be speaking at which times on the second day of SEC media days on Tuesday, July 15:

All times are Eastern

8:30 a.m.: John McDaid, SEC Coordinator of Football Officials
10:05 a.m.: Georgia coach Kirby Smart, LB CJ Allen, DB Daylen Everette, QB Gunner Stockton
12:15 p.m.: Auburn coach Hugh Freeze, QB Jackson Arnold, DL Keldric Faulk, OL Connor Lew
1:30 p.m.: Tennessee coach Josh Heupel, LB Arion Carter, TE Miles Kitselman, DT Bryson Eason
3:15 p.m.: Texas coach Steve Sarkisian, LB Anthony Hill, QB Arch Manning, DB Michael Taaffe

Where are SEC media days 2025?

Location: College Football Hall of Fame and Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park (Atlanta)

The 2025 edition of SEC media days will be held at the College Football Hall of Fame and Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park in Atlanta. It will mark the third time since 2018 the event has been held in the Georgia capital, where the league stages its annual football conference championship game.

SEC media days schedule

Here’s a look at the player representatives for each of the league’s 16 teams at 2025 SEC media days, as well as the dates they’ll be appearing:

Monday, July 14

LSU

Chris Hilton Jr., WR, Senior
Garrett Nussmeier, QB, Senior
Whit Weeks, LB, Junior

Ole Miss

TJ Dottery, LB, Junior
Cayden Lee, WR, Junior
Austin Simmons, QB, Sophomore

South Carolina

LaNorris Sellers, QB, Sophomore
DQ Smith, DB, Senior
Nick Barrett, DT, Senior

Vanderbilt

Randon Fontenette, S/OLB, Junior
Martel Hight, DB, Junior
Diego Pavia, QB, Graduate

Tuesday, July 15

Auburn

Jackson Arnold, QB, Junior
Keldric Faulk, DL, Junior
Connor Lew, OL, Junior

Georgia

CJ Allen, LB, Junior
Daylen Everette, DB, Senior
Gunner Stockton, QB, Junior

Tennessee

Arion Carter, LB, Junior
Miles Kitselman, TE, Senior
Bryson Eason, DT, Senior

Texas

Anthony Hill Jr, LB, Junior
Arch Manning, QB, Sophomore
Michael Taaffe, DB, Senior

Wednesday, July 16

Alabama

Tim Keenan III, DL, Senior
Deontae Lawson, LB, Senior
Kadyn Proctor, OL, Junior

Florida

Caleb Banks, DL, Senior
Jake Slaughter, OL, Senior
DJ Lagway, QB, Sophomore

Mississippi State

Blake Shapen, QB, Graduate
Isaac Smith, S, Junior
Brenen Thompson, WR, Senior

Oklahoma

John Mateer, QB, Junior
Robert Spears-Jennings, DB, Senior
R Mason Thomas, DL, Senior

Thursday, July 17

Arkansas

Cam Ball, DL, Senior
Taylen Green, QB, Senior
Xavian Sorey Jr., LB, Senior

Kentucky

Alex Afari Jr., LB, Senior
Jordan Lovett, DB, Senior
Josh Kattus, TE, Senior

Missouri

Daylan Carnell, S, Graduate
Connor Tollison, C, Graduate
Zion Young, DE, Senior

Texas A&M

Will Lee III, DB, Senior
Ar’maj Reed-Adams, OL, Graduate
Taurean York, LB, Junior

What channel are SEC media days on?

TV channel: SEC Network | ESPN2
Streaming: ESPN app | ESPN+ | Fubo (free trial)

All four days of SEC media days will air live on the SEC Network. ESPN2 will air one hour of the proceedings, from 8 p.m. ET until 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, July 15.

Streaming options include the ESPN app (requires a TV provider login) and ESPN+, which requires a subscription. Another option is Fubo, which carries the ESPN family of networks and offers a free trial to potential subscribers.

‘Breakfast Ball’ and ‘The Facility’ are also on the chopping block, according to The Athletic, with Taylor’s dramatic few months at the network culminating in her exit.

The 38-year-old was named in one of two lawsuits against former Fox Sports programming executive Charlie Dixon, who was fired from the network in April. In the suit that named Taylor, Noushin Faraji, a make-up artist, accused Dixon of sexual battery and alleged that Taylor told Faraji “to get over it.”

Taylor denied the allegation but she did spend two weeks off the air in late February and early March. Her contract with FOX was set to expire sometime this summer, Front Office Sports reported in May. She co-hosted ‘Speak’ with Paul Pierce and Keyshawn Johnson.

‘Breakfast Ball’ featured Craig Carton, Mark Schlereth and Danny Parkins, while ‘The Facility’ had four former NFL players – Emmanuel Acho, Chase Daniel, James Jones and LeSean McCoy – as part of the cast. All three shows were created under Dixon, and The Athletic reported low ratings as the reason for the cancellations.

ATLANTA — As the baseball world descends on Truist Park for the 2025 All-Star festivities celebrating the Atlanta Braves organization, there are still questions as to why Georgia was awarded the Midsummer Classic four years after it was revoked in response to the state’s controversial voting laws.

During a news conference on July 14 revealing the starting lineups for MLB’s jewel event, a reporter asked National League manager Dave Roberts – who supported the league’s decision in 2021 – about the game being back in Atlanta even though the laws ‘haven’t changed.’

Sports media personality Pat McAfee was the event’s MC and seemed taken aback by the inquiry, doing his best to shield Roberts and others on stage from the pointed question.

‘I believe the question was a political question about laws that are on the books,’ McAfee said. ‘I don’t know if any of us are experts or the ones that should be getting asked about that.’

Roberts followed up: ‘I think Pat answered it perfectly and honestly, I appreciate the question, I appreciate your thoughts. … I do feel that everyone has the right to voice thoughts, but right now, I really choose to just focus on the players in the game and I’m excited to be here. … For me, to be able to manage these guys, I’m honored. So I don’t want to get into the policy, but thank you.’

Commissioner Rob Manfred has been similarly avoidant explaining the decision to give the game to Georgia again.

“I’ve said it before, we wanted to bring an All-Star Game back to Atlanta,” Manfred said at the 2023 owners’ meetings in Arlington, Texas. “I made a decision in 2021 to move the event and I understand, believe me, that people had then and probably still have different views as to the merits of that decision.

“What’s most important is that the Atlanta Braves are a great organization. Truist Park and The Battery are gems in terms of the facilities, and Atlanta and Georgia have been great markets for us for a very, very long time.’

Dave Roberts was once an advocate

Roberts, who was also set to manage that 2021 game, was extremely vocal in his support of MLB pulling the festivities at the time – a decision that came days after then-President Joe Biden said he was in favor of moving the game.

‘For the commissioner to kind of do his due diligence in baseball, outside of baseball, players, front office, and ultimately make a decision to remove the All-Star Game and the draft out of the state of Georgia, I support,’ Roberts said in 2021.

He added: “It’s very impactful, because I think in a world now where people want and need to be heard – in this particular case, people of color – for Major League Baseball to listen and do something about it and be proactive, I think it sets a tone from Major League Baseball to the players, and we have to be in it together.’

Despite his past advocacy, the longtime Dodgers skipper has faced criticism in recent months for his silence on social issues.

Roberts went on the team’s April visit to Donald Trump in the White House, celebrating the 2024 World Series championship. The manager gushed about taking an Oval Office photo in front of the Declaration of Independence, a ‘picture I’m going to cherish for a long time.’

For what it’s worth, Trump had previously ripped Roberts’ bullpen management during the Dodgers’ 2018 World Series.

When ICE raids began in Los Angeles in June sparking massive protests, fans and local leaders were calling on the Dodgers to stand with the community and denounce the Trump administration’s tactics.

But Roberts didn’t have much to say when the Dodgers returned from a road trip to a city in turmoil.

“I know that when you’re having to bring people in and, you know, deport people and just kind of all the unrest, it’s certainly unsettling for everyone,’ Roberts said, adding that he doesn’t ‘know enough’ and ‘can’t speak intelligently on (the situation).’

The Jets’ top wide receiver is here to stay.

Garrett Wilson and New York agreed to a four-year, $130 million extension Monday, July 14 which makes him one of the highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL.

The No. 10 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Wilson is entering his fourth season in the NFL. He’s been metronomically consistent since entering the league and winning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. He’s had at least 1,000 yards every year and posted a career-best 101 catches and seven touchdowns last season.

Wilson was one of six wide receivers selected in the first round of 2022 NFL Draft. He ranks first in career catches and receiving yards.

With this deal, the former Ohio State standout is the first New York Jets first-round pick to sign a second contract with the team since 2019 first-rounder Quinnen Williams.

That move secures Wilson’s services through the 2030 NFL season and will make him the fifth-highest paid wide receiver in the league by average annual value (AAV), per OverTheCap.

The deal leaves some winners and losers in its wake. Here’s our picks for each one:

WINNERS

Garrett Wilson

Wilson still had two years left on his rookie deal after the franchise picked up his fifth-year option. This deal takes his compensation up a few notches as he becomes one of the top-paid players at his position a week before he turns 25.

He’s shown an ability to produce well despite mixed to below-average quarterback play. Now, he’ll be compensated well for doing so.

Sauce Gardner

New York has a new regime in general manager Darren Mougey and coach Aaron Glenn. By signing Wilson to this deal, they’ve shown a willingness to pay top talent on the roster that they did not draft.

Gardner, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, should be one of the top-paid cornerbacks in the league on his new extension. His ranking at his position is better than Wilson’s at wide receiver and that should pay off for him during negotiations.

Drake London

London went two picks earlier than Wilson in the same draft and he’s the only one who’s produced near his level. London’s the only other player in that draft class to surpass 3,000 career receiving yards and has 15 touchdowns, tied with Romeo Doubs for most in the class.

London has plenty of leverage now that one of his contemporaries has signed a long-term deal. If Wilson can be a top-five highest-paid wide receiver, London and his representatives can easily make the argument he deserves something at least as good.

Tanner Engstrand

Taking over play-calling for the first time with a new team is a lot for a young offensive coordinator. Engstrand’s got a lot more responsibility on his plate in 2025 than 2024 but having a proven, reliable wide receiver certainly makes things easier.

Next order of business to help Engstrand even more: signing Round 2 pick Mason Taylor.

Terry McLaurin

McLaurin took off for a career-best 13 touchdowns in 2024 thanks to Jayden Daniels’ arrival. He’s been in talks for an extension with the Commanders already this offseason. Getting a similar deal to Wilson’s may be a stretch given his age (30 in September) but McLaurin could get a small bump thanks to Wilson’s big deal.

LOSERS

Atlanta Falcons

As stated earlier, London’s the only receiver from that class with a similar amount of consistency and production to Wilson. He’s arguably a more valuable piece to the Falcons’ offense than Wilson is to the Jets’ unit, meaning he’ll command a higher price.

Chris Olave, Jahan Dotson and Treylon Burks

This could’ve been all of the other first-round wide receivers after Wilson but Jameson Williams is on an upward trajectory after a solid 2024 campaign.

Olave, Wilson’s teammate at Ohio State, is productive when on the field but availability’s been an issue with multiple concussions. Dotson lasted two seasons in Washington before being traded to Philadelphia. Burks is entering year four of his career but still has just one career receiving touchdown.

Wilson’s contract highlights his reliability and production, something the rest of the first-rounders after him have struggled with.

San Francisco 49ers

The news of Wilson’s deal came just hours after news of 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings wanting a new deal ahead of training camp. Jennings won’t get a deal close to Wilson’s but, like with McLaurin, the average salary for a starting wide receiver just ticked up a bit thanks to the deal.

New York Giants

The Giants were the only team in the 2022 NFL Draft with multiple top-10 picks and didn’t make the most of it. No. 5 overall pick Kayvon Thibodeaux took a step back in 2024 and No. 7 overall pick Evan Neal flamed out at tackle and is set to be a backup guard in 2025.

There’s no certainty that the timelines would still align with these changes but Giants fans are surely wondering what life could’ve been like had general manager Joe Schoen and company picked Wilson instead of Neal at No. 7. Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart could be entering a situation with Wilson and 2024 first-rounder Malik Nabers had things gone a little differently.

ATLANTA — The Big Dumper did it.

After putting together a record-setting first half, Cal Raleigh won Major League Baseball’s 2025 Home Run Derby at Truist Park, earning himself the title of baseball’s top slugger.

The Seattle Mariners slugger who hit 38 home runs before the All-Star break – the second-most in MLB history – dispatched the Tampa Bay Rays’ 22-year-old Junior Caminero in the final, and is the first catcher to win the Home Run Derby.

With his dad pitching and younger brother catching, Raleigh became the second Mariner to be crowned Derby champion, joining Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr., who won it three times.

‘You don’t think you’re gonna win it. You do’t think you’re even going to be invited,’ Raleigh said. ‘Then you get invited and the fact that you win it with your family is super special. What a night.’

But Raleigh’s night almost ended early, advancing out of the first round by less than one inch.

Raleigh and Brent Rooker had finished tied for fourth with 17 homers, with the tiebreaker being their longest home run. That looked tied as well with MLB’s live tracker showing both at 471 feet, but Raleigh’s 470.61-foot homer (literally) inched out Rooker’s 470.53-foot shot.

‘My goodness gracious, it’s close. It’s just crazy,’ Raleigh said after his win. ‘An inch off, and I’m not even in the final four. Just amazing.

‘I guess I got lucky there. One extra biscuit.’

Then, Raleigh came alive in the semifinals, slugging 19 homers to easily defeat the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Oneil Cruz. Cruz had brought the crowd to its feet in the first round, crushing a 513-foot blast – the longest of the night – for the eighth of his 21 home runs.

‘To do it as a family was really special,’ Cal’s dad Todd Raleigh said after the Derby. ‘I don’t know why we’ve been blessed like this … When it involved the family, the complexion changed. And we thought, if he doesn’t hit any home runs, we’re still gonna be good.’

Asked how his son became a switch-hitter, Todd didn’t skip a beat.

‘Did it from the first day, when he was in diapers, literally,’ Todd said. ‘And I would take that big ball and he had a big red bat. I’d throw it slow and he’d hit it. Then I’d say stay there, pick him up, turn him around, switch his hands and do it again.’

Byron Buxton, who hit 20 in the first round, fell to Caminero in the other semifinal.

Also eliminated in the first round were the Washington Nationals’ James Wood (16 HR), hometown favorite Matt Olson (15) and New York Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm (3).

Here’s how the night unfolded at Truist Park:

Home Run Derby final: Cal Raleigh beats Junior Caminero

The final is set with Cal Raleigh facing Junior Caminero.

Raleigh led off in the final and had a blast, slugging 18 home runs – which is going to be a tough number for Caminero to beat.
Caminero pepped the right field seats with homers and ended regulation with 14, setting up a dramatic bonus period where he needed four to tie Raleigh. Caminero only managed one, making Raleigh the 2025 champion.

Cal Raleigh defeats Oneil Cruz

After getting into the semifinals by a literal Big Dumper came alive in the semifinal with 19 home runs.
Cruz crushed it in the first round, but came up short in the semifinals with 13 homers to end his night.

Junior Caminero defeats Byron Buxton

Buxton hit seven home runs in his semifinal round, unable to find the late burst that powered him out of the first round.
Caminero walked it off with his eighth home run, advancing to the final where he will face Cal Raleigh or Oneil Cruz.

Home Run Derby semifinals set

It’ll be Byron Buxton vs. Junior Caminero and Oneil Cruz vs. Cal Raleigh in the knockout stage, with the winners advancing to the final.

Home Run Derby score sheet: Live stats from first round

* Advances to semifinals // ^ Eliminated

Cal Raleigh advances to semifinals by matter of inches

With only one spot left in the semifinals Cal Raleigh and Brent Rooker each finished the first round with 17 home runs. The tiebreaker was longest home run distance, which appeared tied initially. But Raleigh’s longest went 470.61 feet while Rooker’s traveled 470.53 – a tie broken by 0.08 feet.

Hometown hero Matt Olson comes up short

With the Truist Field fans behind him, the Braves’ first baseman locked in and finished regular time with 15 home runs – but failed to hit another in bonus time to force his way into the semifinaks.

Cal Raleigh switches it up, hits 17

Jazz Chisholm Jr. turns in ugly performance

The Yankees infielder was booed after his round, hitting just three home runs to ensure a quick elimination. Chisholm struggled mightily, fouling a number of swings straight back into the stands.

Byron Buxton puts himself in position with 20 HR

The Minnesota Twins’ Georgia native hit 20 home runs in his round, the longest traveling 466 feet. He’s in third place with three batters remaining, and can only watch as he awaits his fate.

Oneil Cruz hit a baseball 513 feet

The Pittsburgh Pirates’ center fielder brought the Truist Park crowd to its feet, launching home runs that traveled 513 and 488 feet. He finished the round with 21, tying him for the lead halfway through.

Junior Caminero tees off: 21 homers to take the lead

The Tampa Bay Rays third baseman is in the lead after three hitters, crushing 21 home run in his round.

Brent Rooker next up: 17 home runs

The Athletics right-hander moved to the top of the leaderboard with 17 home runs, his longest traveling 471 feet.

James Wood leads off Home Run Derby

The Washington Nationals’ second-year slugger was first up and had a huge round, hitting 16 homers with a longest shot of 486 feet.

Who is in the Home Run Derby?

(Home run totals at the All-Star break)

Cal Raleigh, Mariners: 38
James Wood, Nationals: 24
Junior Caminero, Rays: 21
Byron Buxton, Twins: 21
Brent Rooker, Athletics: 20
Matt Olson, Braves: 17
Jazz Chisholm, Yankees: 17
Oneil Cruz, Pirates: 16

Cal Raleigh: ‘The Big Dumper’ makes Home Run Derby a family affair

ATLANTA — When Cal Raleigh steps to the plate for his first swing at the Home Run Derby, his past, present and future coalesce. Pitching is his father Todd, the former Western Carolina and Tennessee coach, the man who dragged young Cal along to practices and batboy opportunities and built a workout facility at their North Carolina home.

Home Run Derby odds

Odds via BetMGM as of 12 p.m.

Cal Raleigh: +280
Oneil Cruz: +350
James Wood: +400
Matt Olson: +900
Brent Rooker: +900
Byron Buxton: +950
Junior Caminero: +1000
Jazz Chisholm Jr.: +1500

Home Run Derby rules, new format

The 2025 Home Run Derby features three rounds: the first round, semifinals and finals.

In the first round, the hitters have three minutes or 40 pitches (whichever comes first) to hit as many home runs as they can. Each player gets a bonus period that lasts until they take three swings that don’t result in a homer. If a home run of 425 feet or longer is hit during the bonus time, the hitter gets a fourthout

The four players with the highest totals advance to the semifinals – with first-round ties being broken by the player who hit the longest home run in their round.

The semifinals becomes a knockout format, with players seeded Nos. 1-4 based on their first-round totals. Players have two minutes or 27 pitches in the semifinals and finals. Ties in the semifinal are broken by a 60-second ‘swing-off.’

Each batter gets one 45-second timeout – but timeouts be called during bonus periods or tiebreakers.

Who won last year’s Home Run Derby?

Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernandez was crowned 2024 Home Run Derby champion after defeating Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. in the finals.

Hernandez slugged 14 homers in the final round, one more than Witt, to become the first Dodgers player to win the Derby title.

MLB Home Run Derby winners by year

1985: Dave Parker, Reds
1986: Wally Joyner, Angels & Darryl Strawberry, Mets
1987: Andre Dawson, Cubs
1988: Not held
1989: Eric Davis, Reds & Ruben Sierra, Rangers
1990: Ryne Sandberg, Cubs
1991: Cal Ripken Jr., Orioles
1992: Mark McGwire, Athletics
1993: Juan Gonzalez, Rangers
1994: Ken Griffey Jr., Mariners
1995: Frank Thomas, White Sox
1996: Barry Bonds, Giants
1997: Tino Martinez, Yankees
1998: Ken Griffey Jr., Mariners
1999: Ken Griffey Jr., Mariners
2000: Sammy Sosa, Cubs
2001: Luis Gonzalez, Diamondbacks
2002: Jason Giambi, Yankees
2003: Garret Anderson, Angels
2004: Miguel Tejada, Orioles
2005: Bobby Abreu, Phillies
2006: Ryan Howard, Phillies
2007: Vladimir Guerrero, Angels
2008: Justin Morneau, Twins
2009: Prince Fielder, Brewers
2010: David Ortiz, Red Sox
2011: Robinson Cano, Yankees
2012: Prince Fielder, Tigers
2013: Yoenis Cespedes, Athletics
2014: Yoenis Cespedes, Athletics
2015: Todd Frazier, Reds
2016: Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins
2017: Aaron Judge, Yankees
2018: Bryce Harper, Nationals
2019: Pete Alonso, Mets
2020: Not held (COVID)
2021: Pete Alonso, Mets
2022: Juan Soto, Nationals
2023: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays
2024: Teoscar Hernandez, Dodgers

ATLANTA — Managers Dave Roberts and Aaron Boone announced their starting lineups a day before the 2025 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, with Tigers lefty Tarik Skubal and Pirates ace Paul Skenes taking the mound at Truist Park.

Roberts (National League) and Boone (American) had revealed the starting pitchers on Saturday, July 12, ending any speculation as to who might get the ball three days before the game.

‘It’s such a huge honor to be on the stage and play with all these unbelievable players,’ Skenes said, ‘some of them that I’ve watched for years.’

It’s the second All-Star start in a row for Skenes, who was picked to open in 2024 despite having just 11 MLB starts under his belt. Skenes has an NL-best 2.01 ERA in 20 starts this season and has surrendered just six home runs, but has a 4-8 record for the last-place Pirates.

‘Excited to go oat it with these guys tomorrow night, and obviously be able to give the ball to Tarik Skubal,’ Boone said. ‘Coming off a Cy Young season, and continuing that dominance in the first half of the season … Can’t wait to see him go get us off to a good start tomorrow.’

Skubal, the 2024 AL Cy Young winner, has been even better this year. The 28-year-old is 10-2 with 2.23 ERA, and and leads the AL in strikeouts per nine (11.4), WHIP (0.826) and strikeouts per walk (9.6) – all up from last year’s historic campaign.

Here’s a look at the full starting lineups:

MLB All-Star Game starting lineups

American League

Starting pitcher: Tarik Skubal, Tigers

2B Gleyber Torres, Tigers
LF Riley Greene, Tigers
RF Aaron Judge, Yankees
C Cal Raleigh, Mariners
1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays
DH Ryan O’Hearn, Orioles
3B Junior Caminero, Rays
CF Javier Baez, Tigers
SS Jacob Wilson, Athletics

National League

Starting pitcher: Paul Skenes, Pirates

DH Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers
LF Ronald Acuña Jr., Braves
2B Ketel Marte, Diamondbacks
1B Freddie Freeman, Dodgers
3B Manny Machado, Padres
C Will Smith, Dodgers
RF Kyle Tucker, Cubs
SS Francisco Lindor, Mets
CF Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs

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