1st-timer Vargas becomes 3rd White Sox player to homer in ASG
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PHILADELPHIA -- In all of the White Sox storied history, only two players had hit home runs in the Midsummer Classic.
On Tuesday night, first-time All-Star Miguel Vargas made it three.
Vargas demolished a Statcast-estimated 433-foot solo home run off Dodgers lefty Justin Wrobleski for the only extra-base hit in the American League’s 4-0 shutout over the National League.
"It was a bomb,” said teammate Tristan Peters. “It went so far. It was majestic."
Vargas joined Magglio Ordoñez (2001) and Frank Thomas (1995) on the select list of White Sox to go yard in an All-Star Game.
“For me to represent the White Sox means the world to me,” Vargas said. “This team gave me the opportunity to play at the highest level. I think the way we’ve been playing this year and representing this group of guys means a lot.”
Vargas’ shot to the second deck in left field is tied for the third-longest home run hit in an All-Star Game during the Statcast era (2015). Only Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (468 feet, 2021), Giancarlo Stanton (457 feet, 2022) and Mike Zunino (433 feet, 2021) homered as far or farther.
The 107.3 mph rocket traveled so fast and so far that Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers did a double take when told of the metrics.
“Honestly, I thought it would have went further,” Langeliers said. “... We just played against the White Sox coming into the All-Star break, so I obviously know the type of player that he is and what he’s capable of doing at the plate. It was cool to watch it being on my side, watching it from the dugout rather than being behind the plate.”
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After the AL jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning, no one made an offensive impact until Vargas came to the plate for his second at-bat in the eighth. Vargas knew what he could anticipate from Wrobleski’s arsenal, and when he saw that slider, he was ready.
“I know they all have really good arms,” Vargas said. “I know Justin, we played in the Minor Leagues, so I know the type of pitcher he is. I just try to compete at the highest level. I guess I got lucky on a good pitch."
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The home run exemplified the success Vargas is having in his fifth Major League season. He earned his first All-Star nod for slashing .245/.355/.493 with 21 homers and a .848 OPS on a White Sox team contending for the AL Central.
Vargas was able to share the celebration on the field with his teammates, Peters and Munetaka Murakami. But his biggest honor was enjoying the achievement with his family, including his father, Cuban baseball legend Lázaro Vargas.
“I have no words to describe this moment,” Vargas said. “I have no words. It’s an unbelievable moment for me. To share it with my family here is unbelievable.”