NEW YORK – Shohei ohtani made history Sunday by being selected to the All-Star Game as a starting batter and pitcher.
The sensational Los Angeles Angels player was among the AL starting pitchers chosen Sunday at the July 13 event at Coors Field in Denver. Ohtani, who leads the majors in home runs, had already been chosen by fans to start as the AL’s designated hitter.
Shohei Ohtani becomes the first player in MLB history to be named an All-Star as both a position player and a pitcher 💪 pic.twitter.com/7ghmh5gUE5
– Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) July 4, 2021
Boston has the most All-Stars for the first time since 2009, with five. Designated hitter JD Martinez, the starter Nathan Eovaldi and the reliever Matt Barnes were chosen to join a pair of starters: shortstop Xander Bogaerts and third base Rafael Devers.
Houston and Toronto have four All-Stars each.
Ohtani received 121 votes in player, manager and manager voting announced three days after fan-chosen headlines were revealed.
“The guy is going to participate in the Home Run Derby, pitch in the game and hit in the game. That doesn’t happen like never before,” Angels manager Joe Maddon said after speaking with the American League captain. , Kevin Cash, from Tampa Bay. “So this is the only time … even non-baseball fans can really hold on to this and take an interest.”
The pitching days of Babe Ruth they had been left behind when the All-Star Game began in 1933. Ruth made a pitching appearance that year, the last of his career on the final day of the season. The last time he released regularly was in 1919.
Ohtani started Sunday with a .278 batting average, 30 home runs and 66 RBIs. He also went 3-1 with a 3.60 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 60 innings in 12 starts on the mound.
The right was joined by his fellow starting pitchers; Gerrit cole of the New York Yankees (272 votes), Lance Lynn (199) and Carlos Rodón (192), of the Chicago White Sox.
Shane bieber Cleveland’s (189) was also picked, but is injured and will miss the game along with the Angels outfielder, Mike trout, who was elected as the starter, and the Washington outfielder, Kyle schwarber, who was chosen as a reserve.
The ace of the Mets, Jacob deGrom, who has a historic 0.95 ERA, led the National League starting pitchers with 321 votes, followed by Kevin Gausman from San Francisco (210), Corbin burnes Milwaukee (153) and Brandon woodruff (146), and Yu darvish from San Diego (105). Because he is scheduled to start with the Mets on July 11, deGrom does not plan to pitch in Denver.
Aroldis chapman (160) of the Yankees, Liam hendriks (159) and Barnes (117) of Chicago are AL relievers, and Craig kimbrel Chicago (208), Josh hader Milwaukee (191) and Mark Melancon San Diego’s (107) are in the NL bullpen.
The rest of the AL roster is absolutely stacked. pic.twitter.com/VDQDHpTtIk
– MLB (@MLB) July 4, 2021
The Tampa Bay catcher, Mike zunino, was selected as an American League reserve along with Oakland’s first baseman, Matt olson. Also Houston second baseman José Altuve and shortstop Carlos Correa. Also Cleveland’s third baseman, José RamÃrez, and outfielders Cedric Mullins from Baltimore, Michael Brantley, of the Astros, and Adolis Garcia, of Texas.
Major League Baseball teams, which ensure the participation of at least one player from each team, included five pitchers, Eovaldi, Kyle gibson from Texas, Yusei kikuchi from Seattle, Ryan pressly from Houston and Gregory soto from Detroit. Besides Toronto shortstop Bo bichette, Minnesota’s designee Nelson Cruz, the Texas gardener, Joey gallo, and Angels first baseman Jared walsh.
The Philadelphia receiver JT Realmuto was chosen as a reserve along with the Dodgers first baseman, Max muncy, San Diego’s second baseman, Jake Cronenworth, Washington shortstop, Trea turner, the Cubs third baseman, Kris bryant, the gardener Mookie betts And the Pittsburgh outfielder Bryan reynolds.
The NL reserves and pitchers are ready for Colorado! pic.twitter.com/GsTLADqqh2
– MLB (@MLB) July 4, 2021
MLB added Rockies pitchers German Marquez, hosts, along with Alex Reyes from St. Louis, Trevor rogers from Miami and Zack wheeler from Philadelphia plus Atlanta’s second baseman, Ozzie albies. Also San Francisco shortstop, Brandon crawford, the infielder from Arizona, Eduardo Escobar, the gardener from Washington, Juan Soto, and the Dodgers outfielder, Chris taylor.
Garcia and Rogers are the only rookies among the 34 All-Stars for the first time. Toronto’s first baseman, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., is the youngest player at 22 years and 3 and a half months, just ahead of San Diego shortstop, Fernando Tatis Jr., at 22 years and 6 months. Juan Soto at 22 years and 8 months.
Players born outside of 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.
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