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HOUSTON - He believed the Red Sox should have had more representatives, but manager Terry Francona was thrilled for the four players the team will send to the All-Star Game July 12 at Chase Field. Especially for center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, who yesterday made the squad for the first time in his career.
Ellsbury, voted in by the players as a reserve, will join pitcher Josh Beckett, also named a reserve, and designated hitter David Ortiz and first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, both of whom were voted as starters by the fans.
“I think we’re all probably biased, every manager, but I thought we’d have more,’’ Francona said, citing 10-game winner Jon Lester, Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, Jonathan Papelbon, and Daniel Bard. “But David with his resurgence … and Gonzy’s a no-brainer, and Beckett’s been as good as anybody. But I was really happy for Ellsbury, because I think this probably meant a lot to him.’’
“I don’t need to talk to him, but it’s almost like, ‘You’ve kind of arrived,’ ’’ Francona added. “What he’s doing, it’s recognized throughout the league, and I think that’s terrific.’’
Ellsbury, who is hitting .302 in the leadoff position, suffered broken ribs that kept him out of all but 18 games last season. As a result, some criticized him as being fragile.
“You can’t play baseball with broken ribs,’’ Pedroia said. “It’s not football, where you play one game a week. You’ve got to play 162 games. So it was unfair the criticism he got from a lot of people, but we all stuck by him and understood what he went through.
“Now he’s getting the last laugh.’’
Ellsbury took the humble approach regarding his selection.
After he received word from Francona in the morning in the clubhouse at Minute Maid Park, he shared the news with his family in Madras, Ore.
“Obviously, I’m excited, just to be elected by your peers, someone you see every single day, going out playing,’’ said Ellsbury, who is leading the AL in stolen bases with 26, and was tied for third with 100 hits. “To be elected by them, it’s an honor, and I’m just excited to be going to Arizona.’’
“You’re going to be playing with the best players in the game,’’ Ellsbury added. “It’s always been a dream of mine to play in this game and it’s here, so I’m excited.’’
Was it more gratifying, given the work he had to do in the offseason to recover from his rib injuries?
“It’s definitely gratifying, as much work as I put in once the season ended,’’ Ellsbury said. “To get back, like I have this year, it’s very special. But any time you get elected to an All-Star Game, it’s special.’’
PERFECT TEAM JUST GOT PERFECTER-ER-ER
Ellsbury, voted in by the players as a reserve, will join pitcher Josh Beckett, also named a reserve, and designated hitter David Ortiz and first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, both of whom were voted as starters by the fans.
“I think we’re all probably biased, every manager, but I thought we’d have more,’’ Francona said, citing 10-game winner Jon Lester, Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, Jonathan Papelbon, and Daniel Bard. “But David with his resurgence … and Gonzy’s a no-brainer, and Beckett’s been as good as anybody. But I was really happy for Ellsbury, because I think this probably meant a lot to him.’’
“I don’t need to talk to him, but it’s almost like, ‘You’ve kind of arrived,’ ’’ Francona added. “What he’s doing, it’s recognized throughout the league, and I think that’s terrific.’’
Ellsbury, who is hitting .302 in the leadoff position, suffered broken ribs that kept him out of all but 18 games last season. As a result, some criticized him as being fragile.
“You can’t play baseball with broken ribs,’’ Pedroia said. “It’s not football, where you play one game a week. You’ve got to play 162 games. So it was unfair the criticism he got from a lot of people, but we all stuck by him and understood what he went through.
“Now he’s getting the last laugh.’’
Ellsbury took the humble approach regarding his selection.
After he received word from Francona in the morning in the clubhouse at Minute Maid Park, he shared the news with his family in Madras, Ore.
“Obviously, I’m excited, just to be elected by your peers, someone you see every single day, going out playing,’’ said Ellsbury, who is leading the AL in stolen bases with 26, and was tied for third with 100 hits. “To be elected by them, it’s an honor, and I’m just excited to be going to Arizona.’’
“You’re going to be playing with the best players in the game,’’ Ellsbury added. “It’s always been a dream of mine to play in this game and it’s here, so I’m excited.’’
Was it more gratifying, given the work he had to do in the offseason to recover from his rib injuries?
“It’s definitely gratifying, as much work as I put in once the season ended,’’ Ellsbury said. “To get back, like I have this year, it’s very special. But any time you get elected to an All-Star Game, it’s special.’’
PERFECT TEAM JUST GOT PERFECTER-ER-ER
INCLUDING CANO <333333 well, my three favorites made it on yezzzzzzzzzzzzzzz omg AL is so winning bahaha.
luckily, you must wear one in NC.
DDD
