While this week's Home Run Derby performance catapulted Todd Frazier to the center of the sports world, the 29-year-old's baseball talents have been well-known around the Garden State for nearly two decades.

Here five things to know about the New Jersey native as he makes his first All-Star Game start tonight in Cincinnati.

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    1

    Little League World Series

    Frazier introduced himself to the world with an off-the-charts performance in the 1998 Little League World Series.

    The 12-year-old led the Toms River East All-Stars to the world title, batting .600 for the tournament and homering in the championship against Japan.  He was also the winning pitcher in that game.

    The performance made the Jersey Shore kid an overnight celebrity.

  • (TRschools.com)
    (TRschools.com)
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    2

    High School Heroics

    Frazier built on his early sports success with a remarkable run at Toms River's High School South, starring for the baseball and basketball squads.

    He lead the Indians to two state baseball titles, collecting numerous state and conference honors, graduating with his name etched all over the school's record book.

    Frazier was drafted directly out of college by the Colorado Rockies (37th Round), but elected to attend Rutgers University instead.

     

  • Chris Chambers, Getty Images
    Chris Chambers, Getty Images
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    3

    Rutgers Records

    The phenom really came into his own during a storied three-year baseball career at Rutgers University.

    Frazier was selected as Big East Player of the Year  and an All-American in 2007.

    He holds the career home run record for the Scarlet Knights and remains in the top-5 all-time for most statistical categories.

    The Reds drafted him in the first round of the 2007 MLB draft (34th overall)

     

  • Rich Pilling, Getty Images
    Rich Pilling, Getty Images
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    Major League Success

    Frazier made his pro debut for the Reds in 2011, and has become the team's most popular and productive players.

    He makes his second straight All-Star Game appearance tonight (first start) at his home ballpark.

    Frazier captured the Home Run Derby title last night after finishing second in 2014.  The Reds third baseman has 25 home runs and 57 RBI's at the All-Star Break.

  • Frank Sinatra singing at a 1976 concert (Daniel Rosenblum/Keystone/Getty Images)
    Frank Sinatra singing at a 1976 concert (Daniel Rosenblum/Keystone/Getty Images)
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    5

    Jersey Roots

    The Toms River kid remains fiercely loyal to the Garden State.

    He resides in his hometown during the off-season with his wife and one-year-old son. Frazier also runs a local baseball academy with his brothers, Charlie and Jeff (both former standout players and MLB draft picks).

    And in the most Jersey move of all, the Toddfather is an admitted Frank Sinatra superfan, and uses songs by Hoboken's native son for walk-up music during the game.

    Reds fans are regularly treated to 'Fly Me to the Moon' when Frazier strides to the plate at Great American Ballpark.

    'I Did It My Way' blared over the speakers last night when the Garden State native celebrated his Home Run Derby triumph.

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