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"When I was running the bases, I was overcome
by emotion," Diaz said via an interpreter.
Entering Tuesday, the NL team had lost nine consecutive All-Star
Games. Its last win came in 2012, when it blanked the American
League 8-0.
Diaz, 32, was making his first All-Star appearance. In 80 games
before the break, he hit .277 with nine homers and 45 RBIs.
Diaz said NL teammate Orlando Arcia of the Atlanta Braves told
him earlier in the game that he was going to get an at-bat, hit
a home run and win MVP honors.
"I didn't think it would turn into this and all of the prizes
that come with it," Diaz said. "But I'm really happy."
In nine seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates (2015-19) and
Rockies (2020-23), Diaz is a career .248 hitter with 51 home
runs and 231 RBIs across 567 games.
He was asked about going from being non-tendered by the Pirates
following the 2019 season to becoming an All-Star Game MVP less
than four years later.
"It's incredible," he said. "When they let me go, I didn't let
myself feel defeated. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd
be in this position, but it feels great."
NL manager Rob Thompson of the Philadelphia Phillies said he
didn't know whether Diaz would even get into Tuesday's game, but
that he told the manager when they met that he was just happy to
be on the team and would do whatever was needed of him.
"It's fantastic, it really is," Thompson said. "I was told by
(Colorado manager) Bud (Black) he was one of the finest people
you'll ever meet, and he was exactly that when he walked in. For
him to do that, it's fantastic."
--Field Level Media
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