Remember in 2010 when utility man Ty Wigginton was the Orioles’ lone All Star representative? That was fun.
You know what’s even more fun? Having three Orioles elected to start (and one as a reserve) in this year’s Mid-Summer Classic.
This is the first time the Orioles have three All Star starters since 1997 when Cal Ripken Jr. (SS), Brady Anderson (CF), and Roberto Alomar (2B) started the game in Cleveland, and the first time four Orioles have been selected since the 2005 season when Brian Roberts (2B), Miguel Tejada (SS), Melvin Mora (3B), and B.J. Ryan (P) were selected.
First baseman Chris Davis will make his first All Star appearance and start, and did I mention he gained the most votes in the MLB this year? Davis edged out the Tigers’ Miguel Cabrera by about 200,000 votes. The MLB leader in home runs will be able to showcase his monster power for the entire league to see when he steps into the box at Citi Field on July 16th.
Centerfielder Adam Jones, the leading outfield vote getter in the American League ahead of Angel’s outfielder Mike Trout, will make his third appearance in the All Star game. Jones’ play this year has been scrutinized by some fans that are unhappy with his swinging at too many pitches in the dirt, not taking any walks, or playing too shallow. But lets be real – the dude can play and deserves his first All Star start. If Jones wasn’t a starter, I think his reaction would have looked something like this.
J.J. Hardy rounds out the starters for the Orioles. The Gold Glove-winning shortstop has rebounded from a horrible opening month to put up pretty good numbers. Hardy has 15 home runs and is batting .254 this season after only hitting three homers and batting .202 in April. His glove work did not have a slow start and he has been arguably the best defensive shortstop this year, committing only seven errors in 350 chances. Hardy will be making his second All Star appearance, but his first with the Orioles.
Manny Macahdo received a great 21st birthday gift as well, as he was named an All Star reserve. Not bad for a guy who at this time last year was the starting shortstop for Bowie. Machado finished second in voting for third basemen behind some guy Cabrera in Detroit. The Gold Glove hopeful has been catching fans’ attention with his glove as well as his bat. Machado trails Cabrera by one hit for most in the A.L, leads the majors in doubles with 39, and has the ninth-highest batting average in the league. This should be the first of many All Star selections for the Orioles superstar.
Nick Markakis was not selected after receiving the fourth most votes for A.L. outfielders, disappointing many fans that had hoped this would be the year he finally got in. The Orioles outfielder has been one of the most consistent players in the game over the last few years, but has yet to get his All Star nod. Maybe he needs to part his hair, grow a beard, run into a wall, and miss 30 games to get in like a certain other DMV-area outfielder.
Congrats to all the Orioles All Star selections, and lets be thankful we don’t have to worry about Jim Johnson blowing the lead for the American League in the ninth during this game.
One Response
Nice read!! Go O’s