OAKLAND, Calif. — The votes are in, all counted, and Seattle Mariners slugger Nelson Cruz is heading back to the All-Star Game as the American League’s starting designated hitter for the second straight year.
“I guess the Seattle people, they did the job,” Cruz said. “I have to thank the whole organization. The public-relations department did a really amazing job.
“And the people from the Dominican, I know they’re always behind me. It’s just a blessing.”
Cruz beat two-time former Mariner Kendrys Morales, now with Kansas City, in results announced Sunday afternoon by Major League Baseball on ESPN.
The voting to determine the starters in both leagues, conducted solely online this year for the first time, ended Thursday night for July 14 game at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.
Cruz, 35, leads the Mariners in most offensive categories: 21 homers, 50 RBIs, a .304 average, a .364 on-base percentage and a .554 slugging percentage.
“He’s been tremendous,” manager Lloyd McClendon said. “He has the ability to go the other way with two strikes. He drives in big runs.”
Cruz was the AL’s starting DH last season while playing for the Baltimore Orioles. He was the only Mariner listed among the leaders at any position in the weekly balloting updates from MLB.
“It’s always special when you get voted in by the fans,” Cruz said. “It means they definitely want to see you there. Last year was more of a surprise because I was fighting Big Papi (Boston’s David Ortiz). He’s the king of DHs.
“But it doesn’t get old. It doesn’t get boring.”
The pitchers and all but one reserve for the 34-player teams will be announced at 4 p.m. Monday on ESPN. The five Final Vote candidates in each league will also be identified at that time.
Right-hander Felix Hernandez is viewed as a strong possibility to be selected to the AL pitching staff. McClendon will serve as a coach on the AL staff under Kansas City manager Ned Yost.
“We have really good pitching,” Cruz said. “I think Felix should go. And Carson (Smith). Mark Lowe. It’s difficult because there are a lot of good relief pitchers out there.
“Hopefully, I’ll have some teammates going with me.”
One teammate unlikely to go is second baseman Robinson Cano, whose string of five straight All-Star starts came to an end. Cano is struggling through the worst season of his 11-year career.
Cruz is making his fourth All-Star appearance. He was picked as a reserve in 2009 and 2013 while playing for Texas.
“Anytime you go to the All-Star Game,” he said, “you’ve done something good for a long time. You just enjoy it. The first time you go, everything goes so fast. You don’t really enjoy the moment.”
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