Strong as a bull and blessed with a heart of gold, Elias Diaz is one of the most popular players in the Rockies’ clubhouse.
Now he’s also an All-Star, the first catcher in the Rockies’ 31 years of existence to be so honored.
When manager Bud Black informed Diaz in the clubhouse before Sunday’s game vs. Detroit, Diaz teared up as his teammates applauded and cheered.
“I’m grateful for the way the season has gone, grateful for the team, grateful for my family’s support and truly honored,” Diaz said, with bullpen catcher Aaron Munoz interpreting.
“The guys have come to appreciate Elias in a number of ways,” Black said. “The care factor for the Rockies, the care factor for his pitchers as teammates. It’s great because it’s understated. He’s pretty quiet, but you can tell there’s a big heart in there.”
The fact that he made Rockies history wasn’t lost on Diaz.
“I was told I was the first catcher (to make it) before the game,” he said. “It’s an honor. Early on in the game, I (was thinking) this was something special. My name is going to go on in history here in Colorado. I take that as an extreme honor and it’s something special to me. Hopefully, the generations behind me can appreciate that.”
There was some speculation and hope from the Rockies that third baseman Ryan McMahon would also make his first All-Star Game, but Diaz is going solo. He will represent the National League team on July 11 at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.
Diaz, 32, has walked a long road to the Midsummer Classic. He was non-tendered after appearing in five seasons with the Pirates, from 2015-19. His career was reborn in Colorado when he joined the Rockies in 2020, but even then there were potholes in the road.
“Becoming an All-Star is always a huge honor for a guy, especially a guy who’s later in his career,” said Rockies veteran reliever Daniel Bard. “I know how hard it’s been for him. It wasn’t automatic and it wasn’t easy for him to get established to become this guy.
“I also know how hard he’s worked and he’s definitely deserved this. He’s carried us offensively and defensively, and he wears it behind the plate five or six days a week. It takes a special person, and a special type of toughness.”
Through Colorado’s 14-9 loss to the Tigers on Sunday, Diaz is slashing .284/.337/.452 with nine home runs and 45 RBIs, making him one of the most productive catchers in the majors.
But it’s also the catcher’s skills behind the plate that caused his teammates to lobby for his All-Star dream.
“He’s been fantastic,” left-hander Kyle Freeland said earlier this season. “To have that trust in your catcher, knowing that he’s going to block the ball if you throw a curveball in the dirt is huge.”
Diaz became Colorado’s primary catcher late in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. He started slowly in 2021, hitting just .123 through June 1. But he caught fire, hitting .284 the remainder of the season, with 17 of his 18 homers coming after June 1.
Diaz and the Rockies avoided arbitration after the 2021 season with a three-year, $14.5 million contract. Diaz admitted that he pressed last season when he slashed just .228/.281/.368 and hit only nine home runs.
During the offseason, Diaz worked on becoming more positive with the goal of not allowing bad games or bad moments to carry over to the next day.
“I’ve been fortunate that I’ve been at this level for quite a bit now, and the game teaches you everything,” Diaz said. “I’ve been able to adjust when necessary. Being up here taught me to be a little bit more patient and take it day by day. If something didn’t happen that day, I know the next day I can be a little bit more positive and bring that energy.”
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