Swingman Classic: A historic home run for HBCU all-stars in MLB's All-Star week

SEATTLE (KOMO) — While the main attraction of Major League Baseball bringing its All-Star week to your city is clearly the Home Run Derby and All-Star Game itself, there’s something to be said for how the event in Seattle is different.

There’s more events than ever.

There’s also important history being made.

That’s what we saw with the inaugural HBCU Swingman Classic at T-Mobile Park on Friday night. A chance for 50 all-stars from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) to get much needed exposure on the grand all-star stage.

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Generally speaking, HBCU players can be overlooked while more traditional programs have their players in the limelight often. The Swingman Classic, named for its creator and Seattle Mariners legend Ken Griffey, Jr., is changing that right now.

“Anytime you can see someone that looks like you out on the field, now these kids are going to be able to say and see players that are my age,” Griffey, Jr. said. “This is very important, and all the guys you see that are my coaches all of them give back all the time.”

The American League won the game 4-3 over the National League when Randy Flores sped home after a passed ball at the plate. The real winners weren’t just the players, as awesome an experience as it was.

It was everyone who was in the ballpark, treated to an outstanding performance from both teams. It was the fans at home who were able to watch a special game and fun broadcast with Griffey, Jr. “reporting” from the dugouts and Mariners legends Dave Sims and Harold Reynolds on the call.

But the biggest winners? All 30 MLB teams that may have just found some stars of their future because of this game being played at the All-Star festivities.

Those scouts had a long, but assuredly fruitful day Friday.

The first event of the day was the High School All-American Showcase, featuring 40 of the best players in the high school Class of 2024, or the stars that will be possibly drafted next year. A chance for MLB teams to see who they may look at when that draft rolls around at the 2024 All-Star weekend.

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The starting pitcher of this game was from Washington.

Zach Swanson forced a double play and struck out the final batter he faced in the first inning (all pitchers only work one inning maximum) for a successful outing.

A Castle Rock native and Toutle Lake High School star, playing on this grand stage at a park he’s loved his entire life was everything.

“It’s an honor, I’m blessed to be in the Top-40 and be able to participate in this event and it’s even cooler that it’s in my backyard. Didn’t have top hop on a plane, just had a 2 hour car ride up here but I’m excited. I love competing against the best. We’re all friends we’ve all built bonds and relationships with each other so it’s a lot of fun,” said Swanson.

And as Swanson warmed up in the bullpen pregame, it turns at that was partially a dream come true as well.

A baseball life come full circle with miles to go.

“I’d always come to watch (Mariners games at T-Mobile Park)and we’d always plan it out to see when Felix (Hernandez) was pitching. I’d sneak under the bullpen and get his warmup ball after he was done so I have like ten of those from him,” said Swanson.

Maybe one day Felix or a member of his family will want a ball from Zach, and we’ll be there for it.