We have some exciting news from the diamond! Our very own Jonah Heim, an exceptional talent hailing from Amherst, has been chosen by fans to start for the American League in the upcoming Major League Baseball All-Star Game on July 11.

This is a tremendous honor for Jonah, who will become the first player from a Western New York high school to grace the Midsummer Classic since Dave Hollins represented Orchard Park back in 1993 while playing for Philadelphia. Notably, Jesse Winker, born in Buffalo and a former resident of Niagara Falls, also earned All-Star recognition last year while playing for Cincinnati.

As one of four Texas Rangers selected as All-Star Game starters, the 28-year-old Heim has truly flourished this season. He has been delivering outstanding performances at the plate, boasting an impressive batting average of .279 along with 11 home runs and 55 RBIs.

In the final round of fan voting, Heim edged out Baltimore's Adley Rutschman with a narrow margin of 52% to 48%, a testament to his growing popularity and the respect he has earned among baseball enthusiasts.

We couldn't be prouder of Jonah and his remarkable achievements. Let's rally behind him as he represents our team and Western New York in the All-Star Game, showcasing the talent that has made him one of the finest catchers in the league.