Last year, the Boston Red Sox didn’t have any starters elected to the 2010 MLB All-Star Game in Anaheim. Well for the 2011 MLB All-Star Game, it’s a different story.
Red Sox first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and DH David Ortiz were selected by the fans to be the starters at their respective positions. They’ll also be joined by two of their teammates in OF Jacoby Ellsbury and starter Josh Beckett.
Ellsbury had been battling with Rangers OF Josh Hamilton for the final starting outfield spot in the AL but obviously fell just short. But his fellow players saw the type of season he was having. And for that, he’ll be in the All-Star Game for the first time in his career.
This is the fourth All-Star selection for Gonzalez, his first in the American League. It’s the sixth selection for Big Papi. By the way, Big Papi chose Gonzo as one of his teammates for the 2011 MLB All-Star Game Home Run Derby contest. The others were Jose Bautista and Mark Teixeira.
It’s the third All-Star selection for Beckett who could be in line for the starting nod depending on when he makes his last start before the All-Star break.
