CINCINNATI — Signing autographs for young fans and preparing for the biggest moment of their young careers.
“Super fortunate, proud to be called an All-Star,” Reds first baseman Sal Stewart said.
The duo of Chase Burns and Sal Stewart has made headlines by being selected to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game.
“I love coming to the yard and just hanging out with these guys. My teammates are the best; I wouldn’t want either other group with me,” Stewart said.
Sal Stewart, at just 22 years old, has already made franchise history. He now holds the Reds’ record for the most home runs by a rookie before the All-Star break with 19, breaking a 70-year-old mark set by Hall of Famer Frank Robinson.
He credits his team for his success, especially his brotherhood with fellow all-star Chase Burns.
“Chase is one of my best friends; we talk every day. I’m super proud of him. The season he’s had has been incredible; he’s earned everything his gotten. He knows I’m always cheering for him,” Stewart said.
“It’s awesome. I can’t wait to share the field with him, in that space is awesome,” Reds Pitcher Chase Burns said.
Burns is also emerging as one of the best pitchers in the National League, racking up 116 strikeouts and putting himself in the conversation for the Cy Young Award.
Burns and Stewart are among five Ohioans heading to Philadelphia.
In Cleveland, the Guardians are also sending second baseman Travis Bazzana and pitcher Parker Messick along with closer Cade Smith, who leads all of Major League Baseball with 28 saves.
Bazzana and Messick make the Guardians just the fifth team in MLB history to send multiple rookies to the same All-Star Game. Stewart is excited to have an opportunity to be on the field with ballplayers he watched growing up.
“I’m grateful. I watched all those guys, man. Just to be around all those great players is a blessing,” Stewart said.