Tigers closer Jose Valverde had a brand-spanking new dance to unveil at the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday if he got the opportunity to pitch. Unfortunately, the dance will remain a mystery for now.
↵Valverde was actually in line to be the American League's closer if a save situation arose in the ninth inning, but Prince Fielder's early three-run homer sparked the National League to a 5-1 win. Valverde was not used in the game.
↵AL manager Ron Washington (of the Texas Rangers) kept Valverde in his back pocket because the other closers on the team were young and he wanted some experience on the mound if that situation presented itself. The AL grabbed an early 1-0 lead on Adrian Gonzalez's solo blast, but the NL never trailed after Fielder's homer in the fourth inning.
↵Valverde said he spent his free time on Sunday night working on a new celebratory dance.
↵↵↵"I was working on it [Sunday night] in the hotel," Valverde said. "I'm working on something different."
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Whether the dance is specifically for All-Star games remains to be seen. We'll see the next time he closes (possibly Friday with Justin Verlander starting) if he's got any new moves.