Seattle gears up to ‘play ball’ with the All-Stars

After years of preparation, Major League Baseball's All-Star Game is happening in Seattle Tuesday. An estimated 100,000 people are on hand to take in all the festivities. A couple of KUOW's biggest baseball fans were ready.

This interview has been edited for clarity.

Kim Malcolm: Where are you? What's the vibe like there?

Andy Hurst: I'm sitting in right field right now. It's sort of the calm before the storm here. Fans have not arrived yet. And I'm getting to see kind of all the prep work that goes into an event like this. I basically got to watch a dress rehearsal of the opening ceremony tonight. I got to see a rehearsal performance of the national anthem. The public address announcer is practicing some introductions of players, and the one lucky kid who yells, “Play ball!” before the first pitch, I got to hear that rehearsal, too. He did a great job, by the way. So, they're definitely not taking any chances with the All-Star Game sort of running smoothly tonight.

You were at the Home Run Derby last night in a packed stadium. Any takeaways from that event?

Well, as you know, Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez didn't win. But in the first round of the derby, he set an all-time record with 41 home runs. It was truly an incredible thing to see. I don't think I've heard a crowd get any louder than it was last night at T-Mobile Park. It was a pretty magical experience. You know, here's this young guy, 22 years old, in his second season here, and it really feels like he's captured the hearts of Mariners fans, and sort of solidified that even more last night. And even though he didn't win the Derby, I think you could argue that this was the most iconic moment of any Home Run Derby, breaking the single-round record in his home ballpark. I've never seen anything like that before.

Just an amazing night for Julio. The fans will never forget it. Speaking about fans, what are they telling you about what they're experiencing here?

The All-Star Game and Home Run Derby haven't been here since 2001. That's a really long time ago, and nearly everyone I talked with is just really overjoyed. I've had multiple people tell me it's a lifelong dream to come to this event. I think one thing to know is just how many fans from other teams travel to Seattle for this. It's not just M's fans here. I talked with people who traveled here from Boston, St. Louis, and the Bay Area to root for their team’s All-Stars and experience the game.

Let’s talk about the big show tonight. What should Mariners fans be looking for in this All-Star Game?

Unfortunately, Julio Rodriguez won't be starting. Mariners pitchers Luis Castillo and George Kirby aren't starting either for the American League. But historically, everyone will get to play at some point. I think the thing to look for is those special moments. In 2001 when the game was here, Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr. was playing his final All-Star Game in his final season. He hit a big home run in that game and was the game MVP. So, you know, who knows what that moment might be tonight? I can tell you, if Julio comes up in the ninth and crushes a walk-off home run or something like that, this place is going to absolutely erupt.

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