Tribe has 5 All-Stars including Ramirez

Third baseman is the Indians’ first All-Star Game starter since 2001; others from Tribe head to Miami: Brantley, Kluber, Lindor and Miller

What an All-Star haul by the Indians.

The leader of that group is perhaps the most unlikely player in Jose Ramirez, who two years ago was a stop-gap at shortstop until Francisco Lindor arrived from the minors.

That all changed though on July 2, as the Indians’ 16-year draught without an All-Star Game starter is over.

Ramirez was voted in by fans to start at third base at the July 11 All-Star Game in Miami.

Four of Ramirez’s teammates will join him in South Beach.

Also named as All-Star reserves were Lindor, outfielder Michael Brantley, starting pitcher Corey Kluber and reliever Andrew Miller.

“I’m just happy for Cleveland,” Indians manager Terry Francona told reporters in Detroit. “I think the fans and the city — everybody should be proud.”

Ramirez is the team’s first starter to be voted in since slugger Juan Gonzalez started in right field for the 2001 all-star game and batted fifth.

Ramirez is hitting .325 with 15 home runs, 42 RBI, 26 doubles and 99 hits.

Said Francona on June 23 about Ramirez’s all-star chances: “In my opinion, he’s an All-Star. And if he’s not, I’m not sure who is.”

Francona and his staff will manage the AL All-Stars because the Indians are defending AL champs.

Said Ramirez on Twitter after the announcement: “Thank you Cleveland. I’m just a kid from the Dominican Republic.”

Ramirez’s recent hot streak continued on July 2 as the Indians beat the

Tigers, 11-8, in Detroit. Ramirez was 3 for 4 with a walk, four runs, two home runs and four RBI.

Lindor is batting .248 with 14 home runs and 38 RBI, and Brantley is hitting .303 with five home runs and 31 RBI.

Kluber has been red-hot with four straight games of at least 10 strikeouts. He had 12 in his last start, a 5-1 win over the Rangers on June 29. For the season, Kluber is 7-2 with a 3.03 ERA with 105 strikeouts in 80 1/3 innings.

Miller has been arguably the Indians’ best relief pitcher on the major’s best bullpen staff. He has a 1.49 ERA with 65 strikeouts in 42 1/3 innings.

The five all-stars is the most by the Indians since 2004 when Ronnie Belliard, Victor Martinez, CC Sabathia, Jake Westbrook and Matt Lawton were all reserves.

RICK OSENTOSKI — ASSOCIATED PRESS Jose Ramirez is congratulated by teammates after hitting a three-run home run against the Tigers in the fourth inning July 2 in Detroit.