Best in Show: Astro rules All-Star Red Carpet

CINCINNATI -- Alex Ferguson, 13, was one of 39 Tigers fans in a contingent that made the 4 1/2-hour drive down I-75 from Troy, Mich., to experience All-Star Week. It was his sixth MLB All-Star Red Carpet Show presented by Chevrolet, and he was leaning against a barricade on Walnut Street in downtown Cincinnati when an important pickup rolled by.

"There's David! Daaaa-viiiiid! And he's got his dog!" Ferguson shouted.

:: All-Star Game on FOX: Tonight, Coverage begins 7 ET ::

Suddenly there was pandemonium, and not only because it was one of his favorite players, Tigers left-hander David Price. The whole parade route was going nuts. Guess who stole the Red Carpet Show this afternoon? This truck, featuring #Showdog. Price was hoisting his famous French bulldog Astro into the air with both hands, like he was Simba in "The Lion King."

"Astro, he loves being around people," Price said. "He's a people's dog, or a dog of the people, whatever you want to call it. He really enjoys it, and I enjoy having him around."

Todd Frazier? Roars. Aroldis Chapman? Roars. Naturally the hometown Reds were a popular attraction to the lunchtime crowd as the All-Stars made their way from the Westin to Great American Ball Park for the 86th All-Star Game presented by T-Mobile. But no doubt about it, Astro won everyone over. Kids screamed like it was a rock star.

"That was funny. Not many dogs in the parade," Ferguson said. "I like seeing all the players go by. I like Price. He's been pitching well for us."

The free parade started at noon ET with a tribute by the Reds to local organizations, and then the vehicles rolled out at 1 on a staggered schedule. The route started at 5th and Vine Streets, traveled south on Walnut and then turned onto 2nd Street toward the ballpark via Rosa Parks Street, where the parade passed by the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. The route then turned onto Theodore M. Berry Way to E. Freedom Way, before concluding at the ballpark.

Grand marshal and Hall of Famer Barry Larkin led the way, joined by elected players, coaching staffs and many family members.

"It's awesome, man," Rays pitcher Chris Archer said. "It's something -- just the whole experience itself is something you can't imagine even in your wildest dreams. I'm just honored to be here, with the people that I love and around awesome players, too."

As he prepared to board his truck with wife Stacey, Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom said, "This is definitely cool. I'm trying to take it all in, it's my first time. So I'm just looking forward to doing it."

This event, which started at Detroit in 2005, is always a valued chance for players and their families to spend time together.

Janisa Betances, wife of Yankees reliever Dellin, enjoyed the All-Star atmosphere before boarding a vehicle with her husband, who was making his second such sweet ride in just his first two years in the Majors.

"You get to be with your wife and family and share this moment with them," he said, walking alongside Janisa. "It's an awesome experience for the fans to see you driving down the red carpet on the way to the stadium."

Participating in the Reds' tribute to local organizations were Ohio Gov. John Kasich, Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley, representatives of the Cincinnati Police and Fire Departments, the Hamilton County Sheriff's office, a youth marching band and local Little League baseball and softball teams.

The vehicles traveled the route on an approximately 3,450-linear-foot red carpet. It was made from 100-percent recycled fiber that will be recycled.

During the All-Star Game presented by T-Mobile in Cincinnati on Tuesday, fans can once again visit MLB.com to submit their choice for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet. Voting exclusively at MLB.com, online and via their mobile devices in the 2015 All-Star Game MVP Vote presented by Chevrolet, the fans' collective voice will represent 20 percent of the overall vote that determines the recipient of the Arch Ward Trophy.

MLB.TV Premium subscribers will be able to live stream the All-Star Game via MLB.TV through FOX's participating video providers. Access will be available across more than 400 supported MLB.TV platforms, including the award-winning MLB.com At Bat app.

The 86th Midsummer Classic will be televised nationally by FOX Sports (coverage begins 7 p.m. ET), in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 160 countries. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide exclusive national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network and SiriusXM will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.