The league’s hottest players met in Hotlanta on Monday afternoon for the All-Star Media Day at Truist Park. The last time the All-Star Game was played in Atlanta in 2000, Hunter Goodman was just 10 months old. And for one day, he will be playing with some of the players he grew up watching. Goodman shared some of his thoughts with the Denver Sports Report going into Tuesday’s All-Star Game.

DSR: At the beginning of the season, did you have any idea that you would be here?

Goodman: You always hope to be here. Maybe at the beginning of the season, I didn’t exactly expect to be here. However, I’m extremely excited to be here, and I hope to continue pushing forward and doing some of the same things.

DSR: What are you enjoying the most being out here in Atlanta?

Goodman: So far, just meeting some of the guys. I’m a pretty young guy in the league. I’ve watched a lot of these guys that are here in the league as I was coming up, and it’s been pretty awesome to meet some of them.

DSR: Lightning struck twice here for the Rockies with two consecutive catchers in the All-Star Game. Can it strike twice with an MVP?

Goodman: Ya, that would be awesome. Hopefully, I can perform well tomorrow. That would be super cool. I think it will be an awesome atmosphere and a lot of fun. Get to play with some guys across the league. So I think that will be cool.

DSR:  It’s been a tough season for the Rockies so far. How do you keep your head up? How do you stay motivated?

Goodman: As a team, we have a lot of young guys. I think there is potential with our team. Just showing up every day. You’re there to play baseball. You want to get better every day. So, just showing up with that kind of attitude.

DSR: And what’s the mindset in the clubhouse now?

Goodman: It’s been pretty good, honestly. We’ve got a great clubhouse. A great group of guys to be around. We’ve been doing well. Just trying to keep it light and show up every day.

After the game, New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge shared his thoughts with the Denver Sports Report on advice for the young Goodman and the Rockies as they face a uniquely challenging season.

“Hunter, when we played him in Colorado, I told him ‘Keep swinging it’, I looked up on the board and saw his numbers and what he was doing. It was incredible. He’s one of the special young players in the game. And I think the biggest thing is to just stay focused and don’t worry about the past. It doesn’t matter what your record is. It’s about what you can do in the game today. Just keep moving forward. If you sit there and dwell about, you didn’t have the best first half, then you’re probably not going to have a good second if you’re thinking about that. So any advice I’d give him is just stay focussed on the present, win today and get ready for the next one.”

The Colorado Rockies go into the All-Star break with a 22-74 record, with a 10-36 record at Coors Field. Goodman has a .277 batting average with 17 home runs, 52 RBI, with 321 at-bats at the break. Regular season play will resume at home for the Rockies on Friday with a matchup against the 47-49 Minnesota Twins.

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