It’s the first time the All-Star Game will be played in the Valley of the Sun, and there’s nobody better to promote an All-Star Summer in Phoenix. The baseball superstar played on five National League All-Star teams.
“My first time in Boston was most memorable. Before the game started, they brought Ted Williams out in a golf cart to the middle field and the National League and American League all walked and just surrounded him. It was an awesome sight.”
That was at Fenway Park in 1999. He also played among the best of the best in 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2005.
“You sit in the locker room and listen to a lot of great stories from the guys, and you tell some of your own stories.”
Oh, to be a fly on the wall in that sacred locker room. (For more than one reason!)
As All-Star Ambassador, Gonzo will be involved in all the events leading up to game day. He says the activities are bound to attract hundreds of thousands of people, and will generate more than $60 million to Arizona’s economy. Plus, the All-Star festivities are benefiting local charities, and there is quite a line-up of things planned.
He says All-Star Week will consist of the State Farm Home Run Derby, the XM All-Star Futures Game, the MLB All-Star FanFest, and the Taco Bell All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game.
“You’ll get to see your pop stars, movie stars, and rock stars.”
MLB has yet to release the names of the celebs heading into town to partake, but Gonzo says it will be the latest and greatest of A-Listers.
“It’s a chance for us to showcase our city and state.”
Between acting as Ambassador and serving the D-Backs CEO, Gonzo finds time to hang out with his 12-year-old triplets. He has two daughters and a son; a son he says is quite the home-run hitter already.
And you probably won’t find this former D-Back wining and dining. He’s a fan of fast-food, frequenting Chick-fil-A and Fashion Square’s P.F. Chang’s.
“I’m a pretty laid back guy. I’m always on the go, but I know how to relax; movies and things like that.”
The laid-back father and former baseball superstar says he’s proud to represent his home of Arizona for the 82nd MLB All-Star Game, and wants fans to gear up for the best All-Star Summer the Valley of the Sun will ever see.
