Jays pair added to all-star ranks
MIDSUMMER CLASSIC: Veteran Bautista, newcomer Martin to join Donaldson in Cincinnati
CHICAGO — Josh Donaldson won’t be making the trip to the all-star game by himself.
Donaldson was announced Sunday as the top vote-getter in fan balloting and Monday the league announced teammates Jose Bautista and Russell Martin would be accompanying him to the midsummer classic in Cincinnati.
“Well deserved, both of ’em,” manager John Gibbons said of the latest additions. “Both had great first halves. We’ll be well-represented with those three.”
Bautista made the squad as a reserve in voting by the players while Martin was selected by American League all-star manager Ned Yost of the Kansas City Royals.
It will be the sixth consecutive trip to the all-star game for Bautista and the first time in the past four appearances that he was not voted to the starting squad by fans.
“You look at where he’s at now,” Gibbons said of Bautista. “He had his struggles early on (with his shoulder), but you knew he was going to pick it up and that’s just what he’s done.” And Martin? “He’s been rock solid for us behind that plate and he’s been one of our leaders,” Gibbons said. “He’s a difference-maker for us. It’s nice: our two new guys and they’re both allstars.”
For Martin, it will be his fourth allstar game and his first since he was a member of the New York Yankees in 2011. He was also an all-star in 2007 and 2008 while playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Fan vote, player vote, it made no difference to Bautista, who entered Monday’s game batting .246 with 15 doubles, 17 home runs and 57 RBIs (second in the AL) in 77 games. Bautista also leads the AL in walks with 65.
“I can’t say it’s different, I can’t say it’s better or worse,” Bautista said on being a players’ pick.
“It’s important and a great recognition nonetheless. It’s one you enjoy.”
Martin, meanwhile, has played in 71 games and is hitting .256 with 12 homers and 39 RBIs. He also leads the AL in baserunners caught stealing with 21.
Having been named to the team for six consecutive years is quite a feat.
Bautista was asked what he makes of it?
“I’ll let you guys sing my praises, I’ll just go out there and try to do what I’ve been doing the last few years and that’s driving in runs and helping the team win games,” Bautista said.
The fact that the trio of Donaldson, Martin and Bautista are selected as all-stars is no big surprise. Bautista has been their best player since 2010 and has grown in stature, while both Martin and Donaldson were acquired by the Jays for their leadership as much as their ability on the field.
Their presence in the clubhouse has certainly lightened the load that Bautista often had to carry himself.
“That’s one thing that’s a little different, we’re a much older team than we were in the past,” Bautista said. “That brings a lot more experience and leadership with the way our team is formed with the personalities we have and the age of our group.”