Billy Butler was the lone KC Royals representative in the 2012 MLB All-Star Game and the hometown fans at Kauffman Stadium made sure to make him feel loved.

Butler, who wore a smile throughout all of the festivities, got into the game in the 7th inning, when he pinch-hit for DH starter David Ortiz. He grounded out against Philadelphia Phillies starter Cole Hamels. He batted again in the 9th inning against Pittsburgh closer Joel Hanrahan (the crowd again cheered loudly as he took his warm-up swings and stepped to the plate). Unfortunately, he struck out.

Another player who felt right at home was SF Giants outfielder Melky Cabrera, who was voted in by the fans and started for the National League. The Melk-Man went 2-for-3 with a two-run homerun as the NL beat the American League for the third straight year. Melky played for the Royals in 2011 and was traded in the offseason (a trade most fans wish hadn’t happened).

The NL broke out for five runs in the first inning against Detroit ace Justin Verlander and never looked back in their 8-0 victory. Despite the lopsided outcome, the 40,000+ crowd stuck around for the very last out and cheered for the MVP (Melky).