ATLANTA -- Drake Baldwin's mother, Bridgette Baldwin, will be in Philadelphia to share his first All-Star Game experience with him. The honor comes about 22 years after she signed up her high-energy 3-year-old son to play T-ball in Madison, Wis.
“She was with me in January for the Rookie of the Year dinner,” Baldwin said. “I’m sure it will feel similar. It’s just a reminder that everything she did has paid off. This is something I never thought I’d get to, and I know I wouldn’t get there without her.”
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Baldwin is an only child who grew up with his maternal grandparents and his mother, a highly respected school teacher. The Braves catcher spent his childhood and teenage years playing hockey, football, soccer, lacrosse, baseball and basically anything that allowed him to socialize and compete with his friends.
Though his mother always thought football was his best sport, Baldwin truly excelled in hockey and baseball. By the time he was a junior in high school, his aspirations to play in the National Hockey League were replaced by the desire to be a Major Leaguer.
Still, Baldwin didn’t envision the incredible success he has already tasted. The reigning NL Rookie of the Year’s latest honor will be realized on Tuesday when he serves as the NL’s starting catcher during Tuesday night’s All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park. It’s safe to say this wasn’t something he anticipated after his sophomore season at Missouri State, when he was thrilled just to play in the 2021 Northwoods League All-Star Game.
“I thought that was super cool,” Baldwin said. “I thought that was like the coolest thing I'll do, and obviously, this is a whole different level.”
When Baldwin learned of his All-Star election on July 4, his first call was to his mother, who responded by saying that he’ll do great because he’s “used to” this kind of stuff. He then had to explain that this experience would be different than the one they shared when he played in the 2024 Futures Game.
Baldwin homered in that contest and his star has continued to rise over the two years that have followed. He was actually making a push to be in the NL MVP discussion when he strained his left oblique on May 18. He ranked fourth among all NL players with 154 wRC+ when he began a month-long stint on the injured list.
When Baldwin returned from the IL on June 16, he produced MLB’s longest homer of the year with his first swing. He then struggled to regain consistent timing with his swing for a couple of weeks. But he has started to look more like himself since July arrived.
“I think before he got hurt, he was on an MVP-type trajectory,” Braves manager Walt Weiss said. “After missing time, he's fighting to find his timing and get back to form. Before he got hurt, he was one of the best hitters in the game. So, he'll get back there.”
Baldwin got a taste of the splendor of the All-Star experience last year when he sat with his agent B.B. Abbott in the Truist Park stands while All-Star teammate Matt Olson competed in the Home Run Derby. Abbott also represents Olson and Chris Sale, who are also among the five Atlanta players who received an All-Star selection this season.
While sharing the experience with Braves teammates Olson, Sale, Raisel Iglesias and Ozzie Albies will be special, lasting memories of this experience will center on the time Baldwin spends with his mother, the woman who has been with him every step of the way.
Dr. Baldwin was with her son at countless baseball and hockey tournaments during those formative years. She was with him when they met a young Tony Vitello at the University of Tennessee. After the current Giants manager became Tennessee’s baseball coach, he welcomed Baldwin as his first on-campus recruit.
Baldwin ultimately chose to play at Missouri State, where he played three seasons before the Braves took him in the third round of the 2022 MLB Draft. Four years later, he is one of baseball’s top players and the proud son of a mother who is going to right there with him to enjoy this latest honor she helped create.
“That’s definitely the coolest part,” Baldwin said. “I know she’s going to enjoy it all.”