Prior to 2012, the last time Kansas City hosted the All-Star Game was 1973, when Kauffman Stadium was known as Royals Stadium. The MVP of that game was Bobby Bonds, who played for the San Francisco Giants.
In 2012, the All-Star Game returned to Kansas City, and Melky Cabrera was named as the game's Most Valuable Player. He is the first Giant to win the award since Bonds in 1973. That is the other Bonds, not Barry Bonds, because, 1973, obviously.
Cabrera came through with the game's first hit, a single off Justin Verlander with one out in the top of the first. He subsequently scored on Ryan Braun's double. Later, in the fourth inning, Cabrera batted against Matt Harrison with a runner on and launched a two-run homer. That made the game 8-0, so Cabrera's dinger was hardly clutch, but it's Cabrera who finishes with the sexiest digits in the box score.
Given that Billy Butler didn't do anything and that the AL lost by eight, Cabrera also made for a crowd-pleasing MVP selection, as he previously played for the Royals and those fans love most players who have worn the uniform.
Cabrera was awarded with a sweet car for winning. Based on salary, Cabrera earns about $37,000 per team game played. Today's athletes are so spoiled. We are the 99 percent!