[ad_1]
Shohei Ohtani achieved a first in the history of a century close to the all-star game of baseball: selection as a hitter and pitcher.
The two-way Los Angeles Angels sensation was among the American League starting pitchers chosen Sunday for the July 13 presentation at Coors Field in Denver. Ohtani, who leads the majors in the circuits, had previously been voted in by fans to start as the AL designated hitter.
Boston has the most stars for the first time since 2009, sending in five. Designated hitter JD Martinez, starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi and reliever Matt Barnes have been selected to join a pair of starters: shortstop Xander Bogaerts and third baseman Rafael Devers.
Houston and Toronto each have four All-Stars.
Ohtani received 121 votes in player, manager and coach votes, announced three days after fan-voted starters were revealed.
“The guy is going to go into the Home Run Derby, pitch in the match and kick in the match. That never happens, ”Angels manager Joe Maddon said after speaking with AL skipper Kevin Cash of Tampa Bay. “So this is the only time… even the non-baseball fan can really get hooked and interested in it.”
Babe Ruth’s pitching days were largely behind him by the time the All-Star Game began in 1933. Ruth made a pitching appearance that year, the last of his career on the last day of the season. He launched steadily for the last time in 1919.
Ohtani is hitting .278 with 31 home runs and 67 RBIs leading the major leagues. He’s 3-1 with a 3.60 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 60 innings in 12 starts from the mound.
The right-hander was joined by fellow starting pitchers Gerrit Cole of the New York Yankees (272 votes) and Lance Lynn (199) and Carlos Rodón (192) of the Chicago White Sox.
Cleveland’s Shane Bieber (189) was also elected but is injured and will miss the game with Angels outfielder Mike Trout, who was elected to start, and Washington outfielder Kyle Schwarber, who was picked as reserve.
Mets ace Jacob deGrom, who has a historically low ERA of 0.95, led the NL starting pitchers with 321 votes, followed by San Francisco’s Kevin Gausman (210), Milwaukee’s Corbin Burnes (153) and Brandon Woodruff (146), and Yu Darvish of San Diego (105). Because he’s due to start for the Mets on July 11, deGrom doesn’t plan to pitch in Denver.
Yankees’ Aroldis Chapman (160), Liam Hendriks (159) and Barnes (117) of Chicago are AL relievers, and Craig Kimbrel (208), Josh Hader (191) of Milwaukee and Mark Melancon (107) of San Diego are in the pen of the Newfoundland relievers.
Tampa Bay wide receiver Mike Zunino was elected reserve AL along with Oakland first baseman Matt Olson, Houston second baseman José Altuve and shortstop Carlos Correa, Cleveland third baseman Jose Ramirez and outfielder Cedric Mullins of Baltimore, Michael Brantley of the Astros and Adolis Garcia of Texas.
Major League Baseball picks, which ensure the participation of at least one player from each team, included five pitchers – Eovaldi, Kyle Gibson of Texas, Yusei Kikuchi of Seattle, Ryan Pressly of Houston and Gregory Soto of Detroit plus l Toronto shortstop Bo Bichette, Minnesota DH Nelson Cruz, Texas outfielder Joey Gallo and Angels first baseman Jared Walsh.
Philadelphia wide receiver JT Realmuto was named reserve along with Dodgers first baseman Max Muncy, San Diego second baseman Jake Cronenworth, Washington shortstop Trea Turner, Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant, Los Angeles outfielder Mookie Betts and Pittsburgh outfielder Bryan Reynolds.
MLB added pitchers German Marquez of the host Rockies with Alex Reyes of St. Louis, Trevor Rogers of Miami and Zack Wheeler of Philadelphia as well as Atlanta second baseman Ozzie Albies, San Francisco shortstop Brandon. Crawford, Arizona infielder Eduardo Escobar, Washington outfielder Juan Soto and Dodgers outfielder Chris Taylor.
Garcia and Rogers are the only rookies among 34 All-Stars for the first time. Toronto first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr is the youngest player at 22, 3 and a half months, just ahead of San Diego shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. at 22, six months and Juan Soto at 22. , eight months.
Players born outside the 50 states include seven from the Dominican Republic, five from Venezuela, three from Japan, two from Cuba, and one from Aruba, Australia, Canada, Curacao and Puerto Rico.
Source link
