LOS ANGELES — The future is still bright, even without Francisco Lindor.
In an ironic twist of fate, the former Cleveland shortstop is not a participant in this year's Major League Baseball All-Star Game, while one of the men he was traded for is. Andrés Giménez is making his first appearance in the Midsummer Classic, and thanks to an injury to José Altuve is Tuesday night's starting second baseman for the American League.
With the bright lights of Hollywood shining upon him, the 23-year-old Guardians infielder showed America why he was chosen to be on this stage. With no outs in the first and Mookie Betts on first base, Manny Machado hit a ground ball up the middle that looked like a sure single. However, Giménez was able to backhand it high before flipping it behind his back to get the out at second, providing the highlight in what turned out to be an incredible double play.
Giménez is the first Guardian/Indian to start an All-Star Game since Carlos Santana in 2019, and the first to do so at second base since Roberto Alomar way back in 2000. Unfortunately, his heroics could not save the AL in the first, as an RBI single by Betts followed by a solo homer by Paul Goldschmidt gave the National League an early 2-0 lead.