So, after all our voting and tweeting and texting, Ian Desmond did not make the All Star Team from the Final Vote by the fans.  There is still a chance he gets a spot by someone having an injury or something like that.  But even if he doesn’t, he is still a fan favorite in DC and he can have a few days off with his family.

This is a post about some of the players who have already been selected to play in the All-Star Game this year.  Most of these players will be a little nervous when they take the field in New York next week, because it is their first time playing in an All Star Game.  Others, like Justin Verlander, might be perfectly fine, he’s a six-time All Star and even started last year’s game.  So today, I am highlighting a few of the 2013 All Stars and what makes them special.

MEMBERS OF THE AL TEAM
ORIOLES 1B CHRIS DAVIS

I guess if you have 33 home runs before the All-Star Break, tying your total from all of 2012, and 85 RBIs, you basically booked your ticket to the All-Star Game before the voting even started. But, as we all know, Chris might be the best all-around hitter in the Major Leagues this year. Yes, that includes Miguel Cabrera, Robinson Cano, and Prince Fielder. This guy, with 33 homers, is destined for the Silver Bat after Monday’s Home Run Derby.

TIGERS 3B MIGUEL CABRERA

“Hello, Miguel Cabrera! We were expecting you here.” is what the hotel doorman will probably say to Miguel when he checks in. On Sunday, Miguel Cabrera hit a solo shot against Cleveland that was close to hitting the scoreboard. And again, he just came off the first Triple Crown in 45 years.  He deserves his spot on the lineup.

RED SOX DH DAVID ORTIZ

Ortiz’s memorable stance, capping off with a high leg kick, brought him to his 8th All-Star Game. Ortiz has been clutch is other roles, too- he hit a pinch hit home run in Anaheim on Friday.  He’s a fan favorite in Beantown, so he was an obvious choice.

MARINERS RHP HISASHI IWAKUMA

The rule is, every team gets to send at least one player to the All Star Game.  If you knew that the Seattle Mariners were sending a pitcher, you would guess it would be Felix Hernandez.  And you would be right.  But if you also guessed that Hisashi Iwakuma would be voted an All Star, well, that would be a surprise. He is a good pitcher but his 7-4 record doesn’t shout it.

YANKEES RHP MARIANO RIVERA

I don’t think that I need to write much about Rivera, because he’s a no-doubter in his last season in the bigs.  He’s also going to the Hall of Fame as soon as possible, even though he has a lifetime batting average of .000.  19 years in the major leagues and he has never gotten a hit.  He has been up to bat a few times, but went 0-3 with a walk.  Just like Chipper Jones got on the All Star team last year before he retired, it is obvious that Mo is going to play on this year’s team too.  I bet whether or not the AL team is in a save situation, he will be pitching the 9th.

TIGERS P MAX SCHERZER

What do you do with a 13-0 pitcher? You send him to New York!

ORIOLES 3B MANNY MACHADO

The Orioles 3B’s year has been overshadowed by the 1B Chris Davis’s 2013, but Machado can fire a fastball from foul territory to first base and STILL get the runner out. Manny has been consistent at the plate for the O’s, too.  He’s making his All Star debut in his first full year in the majors.  He could have gotten the starting job, but how do you argue with Miguel Cabrera getting it?

MEMBERS OF THE NL TEAM

ROCKIES SS TROY TULOWITSKI

Tulo started the year on fire, but when the Nats came to Denver earlier this year, he slid for a grounder and broke his rib. That was about 4 weeks ago, and he just returned. Would NL Manager Bruce Bochy start the fan’s choice so soon off the DL?  He may have to sub in Padres SS Everth Cabrera or Brewers SS Jean Segura, who were also named to the team.  These guys are both pretty good, but they probably got on the team because of the rule that every team needs to send at least one player, and these are the only representatives from the Padres and Brewers.  This may be the best chance for Ian Desmond to get on the team: if Tulowitski sits out, Cabrera or Segura will get the start, but there may be room to put Desi in the lineup too.

NATIONALS OF BRYCE HARPER 

Do you think it is crazy that a 20 year old is the starting right fielder for the National League in the 84th All-Star Game? He will be the youngest starting position player in history, and this will be his second trip to the All Star Game in his second year of play.  Bryce, though, has lived up to that spot. The youngest MLB player was named Rookie of the Year last year, and has been having a stupendous sophomore season.  He homered on his first 2 at bats of the season, and in his first at bat coming off the DL. He will also show off his stuff in the Home Run Derby.

MARLINS RHP JOSE FERNANDEZ

Well, bite the line, Miami, because you only got one representative. But your representative is the best rookie pitcher in the big leagues. Fernandez has never faced the Nats, but he will on Saturday.  If Giancarlo Stanton were healthy all year, he would probably be the Marlins’ rep, but this year we’ll get to meet Jose Fernandez.

PIRATES RHP JASON GRILLI

If Jay Bruce hadn’t hit a 9th inning bomb in a 3-2 game on June 19th, Jason Grilli would be 29 for 29 in save opportunities in 2013. Grilli, a clutch defender for Pittsburgh, has dominated out of the ‘pen.  He might get the chance to close an NL win.

PHILLIES OF DOMONIC BROWN

Flashback to May, when Brown hit 20 HRs and was looking like an All-Star. Well, Brown lived up to his dream, getting selected for his historic May. He joins Cliff Lee as Philadelphia’s representatives.

Click here to see all of the 2013 All Stars.

TONIGHT’S GAME
MARLINS VS. NATIONALS
STRASBURG VS. EOVALDI

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