After years of waiting, Atlanta Braves fans will finally see their new home, Truist Field, host the MLB All-Star Game as the biggest stars in the game have descended upon the Peach State to make some memories for themselves and the fans in attendance.
One player who was set to participate in the league's midseason classic, before suffering an injury this past week, no longer calls Atlanta his home. Despite that fact, the All-Star still managed to make Braves fans proud with the way he conducted himself while no one was looking.
Fortunately, during a recent session with the media, that generosity was revealed by one of his All-Star Game teammates for the week.
Former Braves Star Max Fried Gave Away Starting Spot in All-Star Game
No one would have batted an eye if New York Yankees starting pitcher Max Fried was tabbed by Aaron Boone to be the first player to take the bump for the American League on Tuesday night. With a record of 11-3, an ERA of 2.43, and 113 strikeouts to just 27 walks to his name over his first 20 starts of the year, Fried had the numbers to back the decision up. He also just happened to be a star for the Braves for eight seasons before coming to New York.
While he will no longer be participating in the exhibition due to a blister on his pitching hand, Fried decided to give Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal the starting spot in the All-Star Game and refused to take no for an answer, according to Evan Woodbery of MLive.com.
"I think you deserve it. I was just wondering if you wanted to start it,” Fried told Skubal.
Skubal acknowledged that he did. A day later, he got a call from Aaron Boone.
"It was actually a really cool conversation (with Fried). It’s a very professional thing to do, and I've got a ton of respect for guys that do stuff like that."
Tarik Skubal said he recently got a call from Yankees starter Max Fried.
— Evan Woodbery (@evanwoodbery) July 13, 2025
"He asked me if I wanted to start (the ASG)."
Skubal deferred to Fried, especially since Fried had pitched for eight seasons in Atlanta. But Fried was insistent: "I think you deserve it. I was just…
As impressive as Fried's numbers were during the first half, Skubal was arguably more dominant with a record of 10-3, 153 strikeouts to just 16 walks, and an ERA of 2.23. With the former Braves star now sidelined with that blister on his left index finger, Skuball is a no-brainer selection to be the starter for the American League.
Thanks to Fried's selfless act, that decision was made for Boone before the question would have had to have been answered. While fans in Atlanta won't be able to cheer Fried on for his efforts from the mound on Tuesday night, they will be able to show their appreciation for the type of man he is, thanks to this revelation from Skubal.
In the end, that could be even more meaningful for the former Braves ace.
Additionally, the Yankees will be visiting Truist Park for the Braves' first post-ASG series, meaning a reunion with Fried isn't that far away after all