Los Angeles Dodgers: 2022 All-Star Game facts and figures

The Los Angeles Dodgers are one week away from hosting Major League Baseball’s summer showcase. On July 19, Dodger Stadium will welcome fans to the 92nd edition of the All-Star Game. The Dodgers were supposed to host the game in 2020 but it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It’s the fourth time the Dodgers will play host to the event, having also done so in 1949 in Brooklyn, 1959 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, and 1980 at Dodger Stadium.

The All-Star Game was quite different 42 years ago when Dodger Stadium last partook in the festivities. Back then, there were no red carpet presentations or All-Star week events outside of the game itself. The Dodgers made history by introducing the first large screen video scoreboard Diamond Vision by  “Mitsubishi.”

These days, festivities include a Futures Game for prospects, the Home Run Derby, and celebrity events.

In the game itself, the Dodgers will be represented by two starters in Mookie Betts and Trea Turner, while Tony Gonsolin and Clayton Kershaw will hopefully pitch an inning or two after earning a spot on the NL pitching staff.

Here’s what fans need to know about the Dodgers hosting the 2022 All-Star Game

The Dodgers have a rich tradition when it comes to the All-Star Game, going all the way to the first one in 1933.

The franchise has had one representative every game except in 1935. Hall of Famer Pee-Wee Reese has the most selections with 10, all when the team was in Brooklyn. Since their move to Los Angeles, Steve Garvey’s eight selections are the most for a position player.

This year, Kershaw is receiving his record ninth selection as an LA Dodger (and pitcher) in franchise history. Kershaw tied Don Drysdale’s record for nine selections, except Drysdale was twice named in the same year when the league held two games in one season (1959-1962).

In 1962, the league began handing out an MVP award, and Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Maury Wills was the inaugural winner. Four Dodgers have been named MVP: Wills (1962), pitcher Don Sutton (1977), Garvey (1974,1978)  and catcher Mike Piazza (1996). Garvey is one of five players to win the award twice.

Despite being named to the All-Star squad nine times, Kershaw has yet to make a start. However, since his selection, there has been a groundswell of support for him to take the ball in front of the hometown fans. Drysdale has the record for starts among pitchers with five, including getting the start twice in 1959.

If Kershaw makes an appearance, he will try to avoid the ignominious record of having the most losses — he’s currently tied at two with seven other players. Regardless of the outcome, the game is just for bragging rights and thankfully is no longer tied to home field advantage in the World Series, like it was between 2003-2016.

Expect Dodgers fans to welcome the game’s best to LA and further prove why they’re the most supportive and dedicated in the game.

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