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Shohei Ohtani, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. help boost MLB All-Star Game ratings in 2021

Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani is appointment viewing for all baseball fans. The figures are in, and the 2021 MLB All-Star Game saw better ratings in 2021 compared to 2019, according to John Ourand of Sports Business Journal.

Over 8.2 million fans tuned into the contest, which was started by Ohtani and Max Scherzer. Ohtani also served as a the leadoff hitter for the American League.

That figure is up slightly compared to 2019, the last time the event was held.

The contest, a 5-2 win by the AL, was headlined by Ohtani, who has emerged as an MVP favorite after excelling at the plate and on the mound. While Ohtani was the big draw coming into the contest, it was Toronto Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. who took home MVP honors for the game. Guerrero hit a solo home run and drove in another run during the game.

MLB moved All-Star Game out of Atlanta

Despite the excellent young talent on display, there was no guarantee the All-Star Game would see higher ratings in 2021. After the league decided to move the game away from Atlanta due to Georgia's voter restriction laws, some Republicans announced they would boycott the sport.

If Twitter replies are to be believed, other fans vowed to join in on that boycott. If they did, the ploy wasn't as effective as they might have hoped. Baseball simply has too much young talent to keep fans away, and Ohtani and Guerrero — among many others — are hugely responsible for that.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. celebrates after winning the MVP award at the All-Star Game.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. showed off his hitting skills at the 2021 MLB All-Star Game. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

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