Judge among 12 first-time starters
NEW YORK — Aaron Judge, Carlos Correa and Nolan Arenado led a new generation of All-Stars, among 12 first-time starters elected by fans for the July 11 game at Marlins Park.
“I’ve got to call my family and tell them to book a flight to Miami. They’re going to be excited,” Judge said after rosters were announced Sunday.
The dozen first-time starters are the most since voting was returned to fans in 1970.
Just one player was picked from the World Series champion Cubs: reliever Wade Davis, who wasn’t with Chicago when it ended a 108-year title drought last fall. The Cubs had seven All-Stars last season, including their entire starting infield.
“Frankly, we haven’t had many guys who were all that deserving,” Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta.
Just past the halfway point, the Cubs are 41-41.
“Maybe this is actually a good thing. Right now, rest is not a bad word,” said Chicago’s Joe Maddon, who will manage the NL.
In a sign of the generational change, the All-Stars with the most selections are Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw (eight) and St. Louis catcher Yadier Molina (seven). Detroit’s Miguel Cabrera, the senior AllStar last year with 11 selections, wasn’t picked for the first time since 2009.
Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper, second baseman Daniel Murphy and first baseman Ryan Zimmerman were elected to start, and pitchers Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg were selected. Harper led fan voting with 4.63 million ballots.
“Definitely humbled by fans, the way they treat me,” Harper said.
Zimmerman, 32, is an All-Star for the first time since 2009, when he was a reserve third baseman.
Judge, the 6-7 rookie who leads the major leagues with 27 home runs, topped the AL with 4.49 million votes. He is joined in the outfield by George Springer and Angels star Mike Trout, who hopes to return in time from a torn thumb ligament.
Cleveland’s Jose Ramirez overtook Minnesota’s Miguel Sano in the final days of balloting to win the AL third-base spot by about 54,000 votes, Toronto’s Justin Smoak beat Kansas City’s Eric Hosmer by 555,000 at first base, and Tampa Bay’s Corey Dickerson rallied to win at designated hitter by nearly 75,000 over Seattle’s Nelson Cruz. The Royals’ Salvador Perez won at catcher.
Arenado overtook the Cubs’ Kris Bryant, last year’s NL MVP, to win at third base by 180,000. Arenado will be joined in the NL lineup by Cincinnati shortstop Zack Cozart, Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon, Miami outfielder Marcell Ozuna and San Francisco catcher Buster Posey.