The American League dominated the National League 4-0 in a shutout at the 96th MLB All-Star Game, with the game-winning run coming in the very first inning. It was a clear-cut victory for the AL, but for some teams, like the Mets, the break comes at a time when their "ineptitude" is the real headline, not the dazzling play of their stars.
This Is Juan Soto's World, The Mets Just Live In It (Badly)
Seriously, has any team wasted a star's greatness quite like the Mets are doing with Juan Soto? He just signed his name before the All-Star Game, a monumental talent, yet their struggles are making it "more difficult for the league and fans to celebrate" him. It’s wild. Mike Puma handed out a bunch of Fs on his first-half report card for the team, and Danny Abriano laid out five storylines to watch for the second half. Are any of those "start winning so we can appreciate Soto?" I hope so. At least their first-round draft pick Carson Wiggins officially signed, along with eleventh-round pick Kuhio Aloy and twelfth-rounder AJ Krodel. Steve Sypa already profiled those 2026 draft picks, so there's *something* cooking for the future, I guess. Allison McCague even dropped the Position Player Meter for the last two weeks, trying to make sense of it all. It’s a shame the team's so sideways when you have a guy like Soto on the roster.All-Star Moments and What Could Be
Even with the National League getting shut out, there were still some awesome moments. Mike Trout made his highly anticipated return to the All-Star Game on his home turf, and you could feel how meaningful it was for the veteran outfielder. Jordan Walker won the Home Run Derby, and he's hoping that win inspires black kids to get into baseball. That's a huge deal. Justin Verlander appeared at his final All-Star Game, a legend making his last curtain call. And Jacob Misiorowski? His jacket on the red carpet featuring an image of his beloved dog was definitely a highlight. Junior Caminero even got hit by a pitch but came out unscathed, which is a relief. Cody Bellinger and Ben Rice of the Yankees became the first teammates since Roger Maris and Tom Tresh in 1962 to each get an RBI in the Midsummer Classic. Also, MLB owners are backing major league players to play in the 2028 Olympics, which could be wild if it actually happens. You also can't forget that a 1-of-1 Shohei Ohtani rookie card sold for over $3 million privately at auction. That's just bananas money. Now that the All-Star break is behind us, the second half kicks off, and the real grind begins. Can the Mets turn things around for Soto? Will the league's stars continue to shine? We're about to find out.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.