Frequently Asked Questions
Why were Javier Baez and Willson Contreras selected as All-Stars over Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant?
Baez and Contreras were selected as a direct result of the fan vote portion of All-Star voting. Cubs fans chose these two first-time All-Stars to represent their team, showing that fans prefer their exciting style of play over the more traditional veterans.
What controversy did Javier Baez and Willson Contreras have with Pirates manager Clint Hurdle?
Hurdle criticized Baez for flipping his bat after popping out, saying it showed disrespect for the game. He was also upset with Contreras for arguing balls and strikes with the umpire, questioning both players' respect for baseball's traditional unwritten rules.
How old were Baez and Contreras when they made their MLB debuts?
Baez made his MLB debut at 21 years old, while Contreras debuted at 23. They are currently 25 and 26 years old respectively, representing a new generation of young players reaching the majors earlier than traditional timelines.
What makes Baez and Contreras representative of the new style of MLB baseball?
They play with a young, unorthodox, spectacular, over-confident and exciting style that breaks from stuffy unwritten rules. Their braggadocious brand of baseball showcases raw emotion and creates endless highlights on social media, appealing to younger generations of fans.
Why is MLB struggling to attract younger fans and how do these players help?
MLB has a documented problem attracting younger generations to the game. Baez and Contreras help by creating must-see highlights and gifs that go viral on Twitter and Instagram, similar to how young NBA phenoms attract attention on social media.