By Jason Pugh, Northwestern State Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations; featured graphic by Jason Pugh
NATCHITOCHES – With every memorable moment he produced to push the Cleveland Guardians to the top of the American League Central, former Northwestern State All-American David Fry burnished the Demons’ Major League Baseball legacy.
On Sunday afternoon, Fry made NSU baseball history as he was selected to the American League All-Star roster, making him the first Demon baseball player selected to the Midsummer Classic. This year’s event takes place July 16 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, a mere 15 miles from his prep alma mater, Grapevine High School, and 18 miles from his hometown of Colleyville.
Fry, Cleveland’s versatile weapon who was listed as a designated hitter on the All-Star ballot, will be the second former Demon on an All-Star Game roster, following National Baseball Hall of Famer Lee Smith, a seven-time All-Star from Castor who played basketball during his time at NSU.
A seventh-round draft pick in 2018 following an All-American season in which he earned Southland Conference Player of the Year, All-Louisiana Hitter of the Year and Southland Conference Tournament Most Valuable Player honors, Fry has enjoyed a breakout season for the Guardians.
In 66 games entering Sunday, Fry already has established career highs in games played, at-bats (187), runs (29), hits (57), doubles (14), home runs (8), RBIs (33), walks (29) and stolen bases (4). His .305 average would be tied for eighth in Major League Baseball with enough at-bats to qualify. His .920 OPS mark would stand 11th, sandwiched between Kansas City’s Bobby Witt Jr. and Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman.
With his selection to the All-Star Game, Fry becomes the first Northwestern State alum to be selected to an American-based professional league All-Star Game since Terrence McGee was named to the 2004 NFL Pro Bowl as a kick returner.
A four-time All-Southland Conference selection at Northwestern State, Fry left Natchitoches as the program’s career record holder in at-bats (851), doubles (74) and total bases (431) while sharing the program’s home run record (31). He remains the record holder in all of those categories except home runs.
He is second all-time in school history in hits (256) and RBIs (156) and remains in the top 10 in program history in runs scored (154, 7th), hit by pitch (29, T-9th) and walks (89, 10th).
The 2024 All-Star Game is set for 7 p.m. July 16 on Fox.