SEATTLE — The gathering of baseball’s stars next week in Cincinnati will include the King.
Seattle Mariners ace Felix Hernandez was among the pitchers selected Monday to the American League roster for All-Star Game on July 14 at Great American Ball Park.
“It’s always special to be an All-Star,” said Hernandez, who started last year’s game at Minnesota. “It’s one of those things that everybody wants to be. Every year, it’s an honor.”
Hernandez will join teammate Nelson Cruz, who was voted by fans as the AL’s starting designated hitter in results announced Sunday by Major League Baseball.
“He’s unbelievable,” Hernandez said. “He deserves it. He’s a great guy. We bring him here, and he’s the best player we’ve got.”
Hernandez is 10-5 with a 3.02 ERA with one start remaining — Thursday against the Angels — before the break. That positions him to pitch in the All-Star Game on normal rest.
The pitchers and all but one reserve for the 34-player squads were revealed Monday along with the five Final Vote candidates in each league.
Hernandez, 29, and Cruz, 35, are the only Mariners’ players picked to the AL squad, although manager Lloyd McClendon will serve as a coach under Kansas City manager Ned Yost.
This is the sixth selection for Hernandez, which sets a record for a Mariners pitcher. Randy Johnson was a five-time pick. The franchise record is 10 selections by outfielders Ken Griffey Jr. and Ichiro Suzuki.
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