Indians' Bieber named All-Star Game MVP
Shane Bieber was only named to the American League All-Star roster on Friday as a replacement player. Now, he's improbably on top of the baseball world for one night.
Bieber put on a show for his hometown fans Tuesday, and the Cleveland Indians starter was rewarded by being named the 2019 All-Star Game MVP.
Shane Bieber started the season as our 5th starter.
— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) July 10, 2019
Tonight, he was named MVP of the #AllStarGame.
The sky is the limit for you, @ShaneBieber19. 👏#RallyTogether pic.twitter.com/glcceremrS
Bieber delighted the Cleveland faithful by striking out the side in his only inning of work. He needed just 19 pitches to sit down Willson Contreras, Ketel Marte, and Ronald Acuna Jr. in order during the fifth inning of the AL's 4-3 victory.
Shane Bieber.
— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) July 10, 2019
That's it.
That's the tweet.#AllStarGame | #RallyTogether pic.twitter.com/HAR8FjeYc6
He's the second Indians player to be named All-Star Game MVP, joining Sandy Alomar Jr. (1997), whose win also came at Progressive Field (then known as Jacobs Field). Bieber, Alomar, and Boston Red Sox legend Pedro Martinez (1999) are the only players to be named All-Star Game MVP in their home ballparks.
"I lost all feeling in my body," he said after being informed of the honor, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
Bieber, who's in just his second major-league season, owns a 3.45 ERA with a 1.01 WHIP, 141 strikeouts (11.3 K/9), and one shutout across 112 1/3 innings for the Indians.
At 24 years and 39 days old, Bieber is the fifth-youngest All-Star MVP. Only Ken Griffey Jr., Mike Trout (twice), and Roger Clemens were younger when they won the award, according to ESPN Stats & Info.