Willson and William Contreras sat again to again in cubicles Monday afternoon at Dodger Stadium’s Center Field Plaza, answering questions from reporters.
Tuesday, the brothers might be batting again to again within the All-Star Game.
Willson, the Chicago Cubs catcher, is sixth within the National League lineup. William, of the Atlanta Braves, is slotted seventh because the designated hitter.
“This is one in a lifetime,” Willson mentioned on All-Star exercise day. “This is one expertise that we’ll always remember. This is wonderful for me and my household. Real pleased with what we’ve completed collectively.
“And hopefully we can keep that coming. Hopefully it’s not only one. Hopefully we get to spend more All-Star Games together.”
William didn’t know the way the lineup stacked up till a reporter requested him about it.
“That was something we were talking (Sunday night) at dinner,” William mentioned by means of an interpreter. “It’s really something happy for us to share.”
It’s the primary time since Roberto and Sandy Alomar Jr. in 1992 that brothers will begin an All-Star Game collectively.
Willson’s Cubs teammate Ian Happ, a first-time All-Star, predicted “a lot of tears.”
“It’s going to be so cool for them,” Happ mentioned. “Just seeing them in the clubhouse being able to say hello to each other. What a really special moment for those two to be able to put on the same All-Star jersey and share that field.”
Late in Monday’s media session, William walked over to his older brother’s sales space and the 2 took questions.
“We saw each other last night and we hugged each other and said, ‘We finally did it,’” Willson mentioned. “It was a dream come true. I’m really proud of my brother because I have shared a lot of experiences with him and he’s making the adjustments at the right time. That’s why I think he deserves to be in the All-Star Game.”
Tim Anderson is ‘enjoying the moment’ of his 1st All-Star begin.
The White Sox shortstop doesn’t have a selected National League pitcher he’d prefer to face.
“It don’t matter,” Anderson mentioned with fun. “I just want to get in the box.”
Voted the American League’s beginning shortstop, Anderson is the No. 7 batter within the AL lineup. It’s his second All-Star Game and first begin. He was on deck when the ninth inning ended final yr in Denver. This yr he’s in line for at the very least one plate look.
“It means a lot,” Anderson mentioned of being a starter. “It hasn’t occurred in 50-plus years in White Sox historical past (Luis Aparicio in 1970), so it’s positively a blessing. It’s positively a dream come true.
“I never imagined being a starter or even being at an All-Star Game. I’ll always be thankful.”
Anderson appreciated the assist from followers.
“The class is deep,” Anderson mentioned. “Shortstop is a hot positon and for me to be able to start is crazy. I’m just having fun and enjoying the moment.”
While the Sox didn’t stay as much as expectations within the first half, they gained 5 of their final six earlier than the All-Star break. That included taking three of 4 towards the first-place Minnesota Twins to get inside three video games within the AL Central standings.
“That was definitely huge to finish out that way against a good ballclub,” Anderson mentioned. “You saw what they did to us when they came to our place (the Twins won two of three July 4-6). Hopefully we continue to keep playing that way and hopefully get back in this thing.”
Willson Contreras and Ian Happ speak in regards to the future.
During final yr’s All-Star Monday at Coors Field, Kris Bryant answered questions on his future with the Cubs.
Contreras and Happ, this yr’s Cubs representatives, fielded related questions Monday.
Contreras, an impending free agent, was requested if it had gone by means of his thoughts that his third All-Star look may be his final as a Cub.
“It’s not like I haven’t thought of that,” he mentioned. “But that is my third time as a Cubs participant and I’m actually proud and grateful as a result of the Chicago Cubs have been the primary staff that noticed me in Venezuela. They have been the primary staff that gave me the chance to be a professional baseball participant and I’ll at all times be grateful, it doesn’t matter what occurs.
“No matter what the future holds, no matter what the outcome is, I feel like Chicago will always be my home, even if I end up playing in a different city.”
Happ is a free agent after the 2023 season.
“The connection that I have to Chicago, the city, the organization, I put this jersey on every day,” he mentioned. “Wrigley Field is a place you go to work and it’s pretty special.”
Asked what he discovered from watching former teammates navigate by means of uncertainty, Happ mentioned: “The factor I took away from it, as powerful because it was to lose associates, these guys are nonetheless enjoying baseball and doing rather well.
“Joc (Pederson is) an All-Star. (Anthony Rizzo) has (22) homers before the break. Kris is happy where he is, Javy (Báez) is happy where he is. Guys end up being OK and playing baseball and still having a great time.”
As for the current, Happ is having a good time sharing the All-Star expertise together with his household.
“You can’t put into words how awesome it is to get to share that with the family and with those people who have been there through everything,” he mentioned. “They’ve been there through the great moments, when I played as a kid, all the travel and the struggles all the way through. So to be able to enjoy this together is really, really special.”
Liam Hendriks is grateful for a ‘stressful’ 24 hours.
The Sox nearer discovered Sunday morning that he had been added to the AL All-Star roster. Lots of planning rapidly adopted.
“Trying to figure out flights, figuring out my parents’ flights, trying to get the dogs to sitters and someone to take care of the cats,” Hendriks mentioned. “My spouse, who was in Chicago on the time, getting out right here. Her flight was delayed, she booked one other flight to verify she obtained right here on time.
He added with fun, “Other than that, it’s been fun.”
Hendriks was not wanted in reduction Sunday, because the Sox beat the Twins 11-0 at Target Field.
“So I didn’t have to worry about adding stress and pitching as well,” he mentioned.
Hendriks mentioned all of the last-minute planning was properly value it.
“Without a doubt,” he mentioned. “You go through the stress levels of that, it’s always an honor to be out here and experience this. Whether it be the first day (named to the roster) or the last day, it’s always an honor to come here and represent the White Sox in back-to-back years.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com