Several baseball personalities were interviewed during MLB All-Star Game Media Day on Monday in Atlanta to get their thoughts on the upcoming MLB Speedway Classic presented by BuildSubmarines.com at Bristol Motor Speedway featuring the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds on August 2.
Atlanta Braves Outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr.
“It’s my first time playing in a game like that. It’s so exciting to get to play in the game against Elly (de la Cruz, Reds) and we will have fun there. It’s a most special place to play.”
Cincinnati Reds Shortstop Elly de la Cruz
“I’m so excited to play there. I know there’s going to be a lot of people. I like playing in front of a lot of people, so I’m super-excited. It’s great to be a part of it.”
Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Sale
“It’s going to be really cool. I went to the London series (2019) and I really enjoy these one-off type games. Having it at a motor speedway is pretty cool. My family is really into racing, so they are excited. But once the game gets going, it's just baseball. You know, some of the ceremonious stuff is going to be before the game starts and the first inning, but once the game gets going, I think it will be like any other game. It’s the same game you’ve played all your life. Go out there and try to leave it all on the field.”
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Andrew Abbott
“I grew up a NASCAR fan so I’m getting a little taste of my childhood right now. I think it’s going to be great for the game. I think it’s going to hit some areas where we don’t have influence. I think it’s good for both sports. I think it’s good for the players to get that extra exposure and it’s good for the MLB as well.”
Atlanta Braves First Baseman Matt Olson
“It should be an electric crowd. You know, I really like the field of dreams type games so it should be really cool. I’ve never been to a NASCAR race, so being able to see it and play a game at a racetrack will be fun.”
Atlanta Braves Manager Brian Snitker
“It’s a huge place, it will be interesting to see how they can configure a baseball field inside a NASCAR track. It’s something different that we don’t get to do a lot. It’s going to be fun. I know in those situations MLB always does a good job of making sure all of the things the teams need are available just like if we were at our home field. If we have to adjust, we will adjust. We are good at adjusting. I keep up with NASCAR. You could say I’m somewhat of a fan. I watch when I am around the house, and I have been to a few races – I’ve been to Atlanta Motor Speedway.”
ESPN Baseball Analyst Harold Reynolds
“I think it’s going to be phenomenal. Anytime you can get a large crowd like that and reach into an area that doesn’t have a Major League team, it’s going to be exciting. I’ve been to all of them. I’ve been to Iowa, to the cornfields. I’ve been to Rickwood, but this one here is going to be the biggest one of them all. It’s going to be a good time.”
University of Tennessee Baseball Head Coach Tony Vitello
“It should be astounding to see that many people watching one Major League Baseball game. It will grow the sport not just locally, but around the country. It’s growing in our state, because the population is going up, and baseball is getting better. The Smokies have always been in the state of Tennessee, but they’re growing because now their ballpark is in downtown Knoxville. It’s a pretty good time to be in our area for baseball, but this event is literally a global event.”
To purchase tickets please visit the MLB Speedway Classic website.
