News / Sports
All-Star Roster for National League Features Three New York Mets Starters
While Barry Bonds will be the National League starter in leftfield when the 78th Annual Major League Baseball All-Star game is played on July 10 he’ll be joined by three members of the New York Mets who may just become permanent fixtures in the Midsummer Classic.
Carlos Beltran was voted the National League’s starting centerfielder after hitting .274 with 14 homeruns while driving in 49 runs in the first half. Beltran’s teammates David Wright and Jose Reyes were also elected starters in the game and will keep the left side of the infield a New York affair.
Wright hit .288 with 14 homeruns and 44 RBIs while Reyes was at a .317 clip with 3 homeruns and 34 RBIs while scoring 56 runs in the first half of the season.
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Russell Martin will be making his first All-Star appearance after hitting .297 with 9 homeruns and 53 RBIs. Martin won’t be the only N.L. starter enjoying his first All-Star game as the Milwaukee Brewers’ Prince Fielder earned the starting spot at first base after putting up 27 homeruns and 66 RBIs while hitting .281.
Chase Utley was the top vote getter at second base in the National League as the Philadelphia Phillies star hit .323 with 15 homeruns and 66 RBIs.
The National League’s top overall vote getter was the Cincinnati Reds Ken Griffey Jr. Junior will be playing right field after hitting .292 with 22 homeruns and driving in 53 runs.
Bonds will be playing in his 14th All-Star game to lead all National League players and tie Ivan Rodriguez of the Detroit Tigers for most appearances by current players. The soon-to-be crowned homerun king is just five long-balls shy of tying Hank Aaron’s mark of 755 career homeruns.
