MLB Gears Up for All-MLB Awards Show in Las Vegas
Major League Baseball enthusiasts are in for a treat this Thursday evening as the league gears up for its second annual All-MLB awards show. Scheduled to captivate audiences starting at 8 p.m. ET, the event will unfold in the glittering atmosphere of The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas.
The All-MLB awards show is rapidly gaining traction as one of the most anticipated events in the baseball calendar, recognizing a range of achievements across the sport. The ceremony will spotlight the All-MLB team awards and prestigious individual honors such as the Hank Aaron Awards for outstanding offensive player, the Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman Relievers of the Year awards, the Edgar Martinez Outstanding Designated Hitter of the Year award, and the Comeback Player of the Year award.
Star-Studded Lineup
The event is set to be a gathering of both current and former baseball luminaries. Among the present-day stars attending are Mookie Betts, Dylan Cease, and Emmanuel Clase, players who have made significant impacts on the field. Accompanying them are legends of the game like CC Sabathia, Andruw Jones, and Gary Sheffield, adding a nostalgic flair to the festivities.
Roy Wood Jr.: The Host with Humor
Leading the show is acclaimed comedian Roy Wood Jr., who is returning for his sophomore turn as the host. Wood Jr. brings a unique blend of comedy and sportsmanship to the role, a combination he beautifully articulated: "I think that comedy, especially really good comedy, especially hosting, is about having a relationship with the audience. Not the viewers at home, the audience in the room."
Reflecting on his previous hosting experience, Wood Jr. confessed to initial nerves. "I was just as nervous as the players are because you're not sure what you're getting into," he admitted. Yet, his debut experience transformed into something unexpectedly memorable. "It ended up being a really cool thing. In an odd way, it's like an awards ceremony mixed with a family reunion that is all baseball."
A Comedic Journey Through Baseball History
This year, Roy Wood Jr. promises to treat attendees to a monologue that spans across eras of baseball, drawing humor from interactions with both retired legends and active players. "Even when you look at the actual monologue that I'm starting with this year, we're starting with some of the retired players and some of the more established players," he shared.
Wood Jr. is particularly enthusiastic about his interactions with the veteran players. "The veterans are cool with whatever," he said, recalling, "Bartolo Colon was cool with every joke. Fred McGriff was cool with every joke." This laid-back attitude from the legends lightens the atmosphere, making the awards more of a joyous gathering than a stiff ceremony.
A Night to Remember
The evening promises a host of memorable moments, not least for Wood Jr., who longs for the perfect punchline, saying, "If I can make a Nick Swisher joke, I will be on Cloud Nine." The presence of iconic figures like Ken Griffey and others assures that the evening will serve as a celebration of baseball's storied history and its bright future.
Roy Wood Jr.'s hosting philosophy underlines the spirit of the event. "I can't speak for MLB, but my hope is this becomes the type of class reunion/graduation vibe event every year for the players," he reflected, underscoring his role. "As a host, I get to play a role in laying the foundation. So I don't take that lightly."
As the countdown to the All-MLB awards show ticks away, baseball fans around the globe can look forward to a night that promises humor, camaraderie, and a celebration of the sport’s finest. Whether at The Cosmopolitan or tuning in from home, the event is poised to be a notable highlight in the MLB calendar.