Distance no barrier to fans across the country
MIAMI— One of the big questions entering Tuesday’s All-Star Game was whether South Florida fans would support baseball’s signature summer event.
The answer was a resounding “Yes.”
The game’s top stars played before a nearly packed house at Marlins Park, with fans from baseball’s many markets sporting their favorite team’s apparel. From Yankees jerseys to Dodgers hats, the Midsummer Classic was filled with baseball enthusiasts excited to see the first MLB All-Star game in Miami.
Fans from across the country made the trip to Marlins Park, including the Lamb family, who traveled 3,330 miles from Seattle. Clad in orange Jake Lamb All-Star jerseys, 17 friends and family members flew in to support to the 26-year-old Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman, who’s batting .279 with 20 home runs and 67 RBI this season, earning in his first All-Star appearance.
“We didn’t expect it,” said John Lamb, Jake’s father. “We were at [his younger brother’s] summer travel ballgamethat Sundaywhen the announcements came out and he got the call. We were like, ‘Are you kidding?’ Iwent out to the parking lot and started making arrangements right then.”
After taking a red-eye flight in on Sunday morning, the entourage, which dubbed itself the “Lamb Slams,” took in the festivities, including Tuesday morning’s parade.
“Jake loves [the support],” said John Lamb. “He’s not big on talking about himself, but he’s very excited his friends and family can be around.”
Tuesday’s All-Star Game was a long time in the making for MitchVarnes. Aresident of Satellite Beach in Brevard County, the Washington Nationals fan decided “366 days ago” that he and his family would be attending the game. Varnes, who became a Nats fan when the team held spring training in nearby Viera, bought hotel tickets last year and drove down today with his son and daughter.
While the hotel room was booked far in advance, Varnes waited until Monday before pulling the trigger on tickets. Seeing that ticket prices began dropping last week on the secondary market, Varnes bought three tickets on the first-base line at near face value.
“We’re so excited,” said Varnes, whose son served as a bat boy for five Nationals spring training games this season. “We showed up [for batting practice] at 4 p.m. “It’s a once-in-a-generation thing, certainly for me.”
For a pair of Boston brothers, the decision to attend Tuesday’s All-Star Game was made well in advance. After Major League Baseball announced Miami would host the game back on Feb. 10, 2015, Robert and Ricky decided they would be here.
“I knew this was one of the cities I wanted to come to and knew it’d be a fun town for baseball,” said Robert, 18.
The Red Sox fans, sporting Mookie Betts blue AllStar shirt jerseys in honor of the Boston center fielder, decided to make a vacation of it, flying experience
“It’s game,” in on July 4 to the city atmosphere.
our first All-Star Robert said. “We were at the Home Run Derby and it was a blast. [This is fun because] you don’t have to worry who wins or loses because you’re all rooting for the same people.”
wdusenbury@ sun-sentinel.com