For the Mariners’ first-time All-Stars, experience counts

Logan Gilbert and Andrés Muñoz didn’t get to pitch in the Midsummer Classic, but came away with a new experience anyway—and maybe a couple new tricks

Thanks to Torey Louvello’s frantic maneuvering to make sure every one of his National League All-Stars got into the Midsummer Classic, only two teams didn’t have All-Star representatives actually play in the 94th annual MLB All-Star Game, and both came from the AL West: the Angels and Mariners.

Since Logan Gilbert had thrown in the series finale the Sunday before the All-Star Break, he knew he wouldn’t be throwing in the game, presenting a bit of a unique challenge for the famously routine-oriented Gilbert.

“I kind of felt like I was there and didn’t know what to do, because I knew I wasn’t throwing in the game. And every second I’m at the field, I usually know what I’m supposed to be doing and I was just kind of sitting there like, I don’t know what to do with myself,” laughed Gilbert, but said he was able to get his throwing routine done on schedule as usual.

Still, whether they appeared in the game or not, Logan Gilbert and Andrés Muñoz were both enthusiastic about their first All-Star experiences. Each admitted to being a little starstruck by Aaron Judge, who the 6’6” Gilbert found himself next to for the team picture.

“These really are some of the best players to ever play, not just now but ever,” said Gilbert. “So being included in that, it’s humbling, it’s a big honor, just that I could do something that I’ve always dream of, being there with those guys.”

For Muñoz, the “pinch me” moment was when he was sitting on the field for interviews. “Sac [Isaac] Paredes and me were talking about that while we were walking away. We were like, what are we doing here, we’re here with the best players of the year. So we were really excited for that, and we never imagined being there one time when we were kids. So that was really exciting for me.”

While neither Gilbert nor Muñoz particularly loves being in the spotlight, both agreed that sharing the experience with their family members—particularly walking the red carpet—was an unforgettable experience.

“It was really fun with my wife, having her there, and I think she really enjoyed it too,” said Gilbert. “It’s nice to have little moments of celebration like that. You know, in the season you’re almost head down the entire time, like what am I doing today, but for a couple of days you just get to take it in and know that we worked really hard to get there, and she’s done as much as me to get me in a good place mentally as well, so I felt like it was fun for both of us.”

“I was nervous,” said Muñoz of walking the red carpet in high fashion. “Because you know, like, I never wear things like that. It was my first time. Obviously sometimes you wear like little [fashionable] things, but not like that. So I felt weird. But as soon as I started walking, I started to feel better and became more comfortable,” he said, adding that it helped to have his wife by his side for the experience.

Muñoz’s two brothers also made the twenty-seven hour drive up from Los Mochis, Mexico. “It was a really far drive, but they were so excited to see me there, especially because they are a part of the success that I have. So seeing them there was really special for me.”

Most players in MLB will say they enjoy the support of their family, but there’s an additional degree of connection for Muñoz with his family, who has been so involved with his career, running it almost like a family business: his brothers serve as his bullpen catchers and his entire family as scouting directors; his mother, on the congratulatory phone call, said they’re going to have to pull statistics on all the National League hitters.

“My family is really important,” said Muñoz. “They’re probably the most important thing to me. So I’m really happy that they are able to be there, through the good and the bad. It was really special for me.”

Another thing each pitcher enjoyed: comparing notes with other pitchers they admire around the league, as well as the general convivial spirit of the All-Star Game. A picture of Emmanuel Clase and Gilbert comparing pitch grips went viral on Mariners twitter, but Muñoz is friends with Emmanuel Clase from their time in the Padres organization, and said they’ve talked pitching together for years. In addition to talking to Clase, he also spoke with other relievers with whom he feels he shares similarities.

“When you have a game like that, obviously you want to pitch and you want to do your best, but knowing that you don’t have to worry about like, if somebody gets a run, it’s not going to count, so you have more time to share with other people and hang out with them, talk with them.”

Gilbert agrees. “In a setting like that, it’s just like a celebration. Everybody’s in a good mood, just connecting with other players from other teams, and willing to talk about whatever they need to,” said Gilbert.

“It was a really big learning thing for me,” said Muñoz.” “Just being able to talk with other great pitchers, it’s been good for me to learn more things. I learned a lot.”

But if you’re hoping for the master tinkerer Gilbert to come back with a wealth of new tricks, curb those expectations. Even with the wealth of pitching knowledge and talent represented on the field, Gilbert was able to tamp down his naturally curious nature. “Two years ago, if I went to something like that, I probably would change every single grip that I have. But it was fun picking their brains a little bit.”

So while they didn’t depart Texas with the experience of taking the field during an All-Star Game—Muñoz wasn’t summoned in the ninth inning, as his good friend Clase closed up the American League’s 5-3 win—both will carry back a jersey full of All-Star autographs, valuable connections with some of the game’s best, and the knowledge that they, too, are part of an exclusive club of baseball’s best.