Who is Shane Bieber and how did he win the 2019 Baseball All-Star Game MVP?

July 9,2019 was a very important day in Cleveland, OH.  The Major League Baseball All-Star Game returned for the 1^st time since 1997.  

The All-Star Game is when the National League and American League put their best teams together to compete.  It is one big festival that includes a Home Run Derby the night before.

The Baseball All-Star Game is the best All-Star Game of the 4 major sports (baseball, basketball, football, and hockey).  Not only has it been going on the longest (since 1933), due to the lack of contact within the sport of baseball, players often try their hardest at these games.  Thus, a great game usually ensues. 

Sports memorabilia and autograph collectors also love this game as it is the only time during the year you can get the games best together in one location.  Past All-Stars also come out and sign autographs.  That year’s All-Star Game balls are also highly collectible. 

Needless to say, this game is a very big deal to the city that gets to host it.

What ends up an even bigger deal than the game?  When a player from the city’s home team wins the All-Star Game MVP.  That is exactly what happened in 2019 when Shane Bieber, a pitcher from the Cleveland Indians won the award becoming just the 3^rd player ever to win it when his home team hosted the game.  Ironically, one of the other players to accomplish this was Sandy Alomar Jr, another Indians player who played in that 1997 All-Star Game in Cleveland.  The only other player to do so was Pedro Martinez when the 1999 game was played in Boston.

But who is Shane Bieber?  Most baseball fans have probably never heard of him.  Let’s find out some more on the 2019 All-Star Game MVP.

Born in Southern California in 1995, Bieber was just 23 when he began his Major League career with the Cleveland Indians in 2018.

Priori to that he pitched for the University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB), where he went 12-4 in his junior year.  Incredibly, he was a walk-on to the team.

In the 2016 Major League Baseball draft, Bieber was drafted in the 4^th round by the Indians.  It only took him 2 years to reach the Major League level, quite a feat for a pitcher.

On May 31, 2018 he made his Major League debut versus the Minnesota Twins.  He pitched 5.2 innings and gave up 4 runs.  Not an overly impressive start, although he did strikeout 6.

The 2019 season was to be Biebers coming out party.  After almost a full year in the big leagues under his belt, this was going to be the year he truly began showing his potential.

Prior to making the 2019 All-Star Game roster for the American League, Bieber had a 8-3 record and a 3.45 ERA.  Solid numbers for a starting pitcher.

Being selected to the All-Star Game when your home team hosts it is one of the biggest honors a player can receive.  Not only are you being recognized as one of the top players in the game, but you also have a chance to represent your team in the biggest All-Star Game on the planet.

What is even more interesting about Bieber playing in the All-Star Game, was 5 days prior to it he had no idea he was going to.  He replaced Mike Minor, who took the game due to a scheduling conflict and to rest to prepare for the 2^nd half of the season.

So how did Bieber win the 2019 All-Star Game MVP?

He came into the game in the 5^th inning and as a huge surprise to everyone, struck out the side.

“I didn't really know what to think,” Bieber told MLB. “Kind of lost all feeling in my body. But it's an incredible feeling now, now that it's kind of sinking in. Just to be able to do it in front of the home crowd and my first All-Star Game is definitely not something I expected, especially being added to the game five days ago.”

His manager, Terry Francona happened to be helping coach the team and was in the dugout to help Bieber celebrate this incredible feat.  36,747 fans in attendance (mostly Indians fans) cheered loudly as he struck out the 2018 National League Rookie of the Year Ronald Acuna Jr to end the inning.

So how does winning the 2019 All-Star Game MVP affect Shane Bieber’s autograph?  Naturally, it will be in high demand, especially from Indians fans.

When the Indians come to play the Kansas City Royals in Kansas City in July of 2019, Powers Sports Memorabilia will be there to witness his 1^st autograph signing  since winning the MVP award.

Bieber will mainly be autographing 2019 All-Star Game baseballs as those items are the most sought after for autograph collectors.

On some of the baseballs he will also be writing 2019 ASG MVP.  Having a special inscription like that written out by the player adds a ton of value to the item.

If you are a Cleveland Indians fan, this will be one autograph you need to have in your collection. 

Bieber is a very affordable autograph and one that will bring back such great memories for Indians fans.  Balls are currently available..    

Powers Sports Memorabilia was started in 2008 by Matt Powers as a way for collectors and gift givers to have a more personable experience when buying an autograph.

“I get it, most people don’t have any experience buying an autograph, says Matt Powers.  They are concerned about the authenticity.  Are they getting a good deal?  Is this something my gift receiver will like?  I’ve taking all the guess work out of it by providing a certificate of authenticity with every autographed item.  Not just one from my company, but from the top 3 autograph authentication companies in the world, PSA/DNA, JSA, and Beckett Authentication.”

If you would like to get started finding that perfect autographed gift, you know the one they dream about, reach out to Matt.  He will guide you through the process.  Visit them at www.powerssportsmemorabilia.com.