Mariners Star Julio Rodriguez Looks Forward To All-Star Game In Seattle

What seems to stand out as much as anything about Julio Rodriguez is how much joy he has while playing baseball.

The Seattle Mariners second-year center fielder seemingly has a perpetual smile on his face. His enthusiasm for baseball is so contagious that he has already built a huge following not only in Seattle but across the United State and in his native Dominican Republic.

The 22-year-old was voted the American League Rookie of the Year last season. He has been selected to the All-Star Game for the second year in a row this season.

Now, Rodriguez will be on the biggest stage of his nascent career when the Mariners host this year’s All-Star Game at T-Mobile Park. He will be on the American League squad for Tuesday night’s game and participate in the Home Run Derby the previous evening.

“It’s amazing,” Rodriguez said. “I’m really excited to step on that field as an All-Star and represent the Mariners’ fans and the whole Mariners’ organization. My family is going to be there and a lot of people who have supported me along the way are going to be there. I’m going to step on that field and enjoy it because I know it doesn’t happy too many times where you get to play in the All-Star Game in your home ballpark. I’m going to appreciate it a lot.”

Rodriguez made his biggest impact last year in the Home Run Derby at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. He reached the finals before losing a 19-18 heartbreaker to then-Washington Nationals slugger Juan Soto after beating Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager in the first round and knocking off New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso, a two-time Derby champion, in the semifinals.

“I learned last year that it’s a really important competition,” Rodriguez said. “I watched in the past on TV but compared to actually being there, it’s really fun to be there in person. I’m going to go out there in front of the home crowd and am really excited about doing something good for the fans.”

Ahead of All-Star Week, Rodriguez and Gatorade announced Friday that they have formed a partnership.

Rodriguez will serve as a spokesman for Gatorade and its various products such as Fast Twitch, Propel, Muscle Milk and Evolve. He will also collaborate on Gatorade’s Equity in Sports Initiative that supports underprivileged youth in both Seattle and the Dominican Republic.

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Rodriguez is using Fast Twitch, a new energy drink that includes 200 milligrams of caffeine, electrolytes and zero sugar in training for the Home Run Derby. He is also excited to be able to aid children in need.

“I was one of those kids at one point in my life,” Rodriguez said. “To be able to realize and see it from that perspective and to be able to help kids in that situation is kind of like a dream come true. In the position that I am in, I want to help kids and everybody like them who is chasing a dream to make it a reality. There are people in need and I’m in a position where I can help those people, so I want to do that as much as I can, and I feel this partnership is going to allow us to do that.”

Rodriguez is obviously a very talented player as his brief but impressive resume in the major leagues attests. Yet what attracted Gatorade just as much to Rodriguez is his magnetic personality.

“I’ve always been someone who loves and enjoys the game,” Rodriguez said. “That’s how I started playing the game and that’s why I started playing the game. Back then, I played because I enjoyed playing with my friends, I enjoyed the competitiveness that the game has and it always brings you something new.

“My dad and my trainer, they told me back when I was 14 that the game is really hard and you’ve got to enjoy the ups and downs of the game, you’ve always got to keep on going. That’s something I always do, keep enjoying the game and trying to do my best on the field every single day.”