What a sight in St. Louis. Three home grown Hampton Roads baseball stars playing for the National League in the All-Star game. It was a moment easy to dream, but hard to imagine. Sure we know that David Wright, Ryan Zimmerman and Justin Upton are talented and great players, but  seeing them play in the summer classic was amazing.

Young baseball players across Hampton Roads had their big league dreams stoked last night each time they saw Upton, Zimmerman and Wright come to the plate. You can’t blame a kid for thinking that if they can do it, so can I. Upton, Wright and Zimmerman had the same dreams when they were cutting their teeth on local dirt infields. They payed their dues. They put in the countless hours and look where it led them. Honored as All-Stars. Seventy-two players make up both the American and National league rosters. Wright, Zimmerman and Upton found their spot with the sports elites.

Add the efforts of Michael Cuddyer and BJ Upton to the list and it’s hard not to think that these are the banner days for local baseball. And how do you think having these young stars in the spotlight will ripple down to young players here following in their footsteps?

Just ask David Wright, Ryan Zimmerman and Justin Upton and I’m sure they will tell you, “The dream is alive!”