Tamara Latta
Sports Writer
Matt Kemp: The Los Angeles Dodgers may be struggling, but Kemp isn’t giving up on the season. Despite the Dodgers being in last place in the National League West, he’s staying in beast mode. Sunday afternoon Major League Baseball announced their starting players for the All-Star game, and the Dodgers’ center-fielder made the cut. Kemp’s statistics are no longer first-class, they have been upgraded to jet-setting. He’s having an MVP season averaging .322, 22 home runs, 64 runs batted in, .415 on-base percentage, and 22 stolen bases. This will be Kemp’s first All-Star game.
Hours after being selected as a 2011 All-Star, Kemp addressed the media in the locker room before they took on the Anaheim Angels. “I’m very excited and overjoyed to be a part of the MLB All-Star team,” he said. “We really have great fans here in Los Angeles, so I wasn’t shocked they voted me in.”
Clayton Kershaw: The left-handed pitcher has been outstanding for the Dodgers. Kershaw is only 23 years old, and he’s already making noise in the dirt. This will be the first All-Star appearance for Kershaw, and it has been well deserved. He’s leading the Majors in strikeouts (138) and leads the Dodgers in wins and shutouts. Kershaw was voted into the All-Star Game by his peers. Expect Kershaw to be a huge superstar in the years to come.
Kershaw talked about how excited he was to be a first-time All-Star before the game in the locker room. “I know people have high expectations of you coming into this league,” Kershaw said. “I’m really excited about my first All-Star, and hopefully there will be more to come.”
Howie Kendrick: Angels’ second baseman has been the most consistent hitter in the lineup. Kendrick will be taking his talents to Arizona to participate in the All-Star Game for the first time in his career. His numbers are pretty attractive averaging .307, eight home runs, and 26 runs batted in. If Kendrick can stay healthy this season, he will continue to increase his numbers. Rumors floated around that he was on the trading block this season, but he didn’t let the hearsay interfere with his performance.
Kendrick seemed ecstatic when speaking with the media in the locker room about being an All-Star. “I think it’s an honor to be able to go out there and represent your team,” he said.
Jered Weaver: LA Angels’ ace will be on the American League All-Star Team. Weaver beat out New York Yankees star pitcher CC Sabathia. Weaver isn’t taking it easy with the ball. Numbers don’t lie; Weaver has 10 victories with the major league-best ERA (1.92). His 92-mph fastball is doing damage in the big leagues. He has thrown 114 strikes. Weaver won’t be a newcomer as he was also selected to play in the 2010 All-Star Game.
The 2011 MLB All-Star game will be held at Chase Field in Phoenix, AZ and will air Tuesday, July 12 on FOX.
