Bruce Bochy names Pablo Sandoval to 2011 MLB All-Star Game – MLB News
San Francisco Giants’ infielder, Pablo Sandoval is listed in the All-Star roster as it was declared on Sunday, July 10, when the Giants’ manager, Bruce Bochy called him to join the other four pitchers for the All-Star game.
Sandoval expressed his excitement an said, “I'm happy for her too. I'm just going to have fun there. I'm just going to play hard no matter what and try to do my best - not too much, just my best.”
Sandoval was able to make his spot in a big game due to his current season’s performance as he won the Most Valuable Award as well. For the All-Star game, Bochy named Sandoval and the Diamondbacks’ catcher Miguel Montero, who also had a notable season during this year. These two players made their place in the line-up due to injuries of the other two infielders, Jose Reyes and Placido Polanco.
The Giants had a record of having five of their players in the All-Star game. During 1966, Tom Haller, Juan Marichal, Jim Ray Hart, Willie McCovey and Willie Mays were the five Giant’s players who participated in the All-Star league games. Later on, only one Giants’ player had been selected due to their unproductive performance.
In the last series against the New York Mets, Sandoval was impressive with the bat as he raised his hitting streak to 21 and had an RBI double in a three-game series. Bochy commented on Sandoval and said, “It makes sense. He has the numbers. I know he's missed a lot of time, but he's got a 20-game hitting streak, plus what he's done for us since he's come back.”
It was assumed that the Cubs’ third baseman, Aramis Ramirez will be selected for that spot but Bochy was much interested in catchers despite the infielders. Bochy has been still waiting for the third catcher to back-up, in case of any injury. Keeping in view the incident during last year that there was no back-up in case of an emergency.
Speaking to reporters, Bochy said, “I really wanted to get him on the club. I couldn't be happier telling anyone he was on the All-Star team.”
During the 2010 All-Star game, the National League starter, Yadier Molina suffered a right hand injury but his back-up Brian McCann also got injured and there was no stand-in player.
Sandoval had an exemplary record with his batting through May 18 as he had 49 home-runs, 191 RBIs and had a batting average of .305 in his overall baseball career. There were some amendments in the roster as the Rangers’ starter, Alexi Ogando substitutes the Yankees’ starting pitcher CC Sabathia and David Robertson is now chosen as a replacement for David Price, who suffered a turf toe injury.
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