Look at these All-Stars smiling wide.
As you likely know by know, the Dodgers will be represented by three players during this upcoming All-Star Game in San Diego. They are shortstop Corey Seager, closer Kenley Jansen and ace Clayton Kershaw (not shown). Selection was based on player balloting. This will be a first All-Star appearance for both Seager and Jansen. Kershaw is now a six time All-Star, but will not be playing due to a mildly herniated disc. BTW, below are some additional facts:
- Jansen, 28, leads all relievers with a 0.66 WHIP and ranks among National League relievers in saves (25, 2nd), ERA (1.30, 3rd), opponents’ batting average (.153, 3rd) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (8.80, 2nd, 44 SO/5 BB) in 36 appearances this year.
- Jansen, who became the franchise’s all-time saves leader earlier this year, is the first Dodger reliever to be named to the All-Star team since 2010 (Jonathan Broxton & Hong-Chih Kuo) and is just the third All-Star ever from Curacao, joining Andruw Jones (2000, ’02-03, ’05-06) and Jair Jurrjens (2011).
- Kershaw, 28, is the first Dodger to be named to six consecutive All-Star teams (2011-16) since Fernando Valenzuela (1981-86).
- Seager, at 22 years, 69 days, is the youngest position player to be honored as an All-Star in franchise history (previous: Pete Reiser: 22 years, 113 days) and the third-youngest Dodger All-Star overall (at the time of their first selection), behind only Fernando Valenzuela (20 years, 281 days in 1981) and Ralph Branca (21 years, 183 days in 1947).
- Seager is just the second Dodger rookie shortstop to be selected, joining Bill Grabarkewitz in 1970, and the first Dodger shortstop to be named an All-Star since Rafael Furcal in 2010.
- This Day in Dodger History: In 1938 Leo Durocher hit a bunt home run as the Dodgers rep during the All-Star game in Cincinnati. Per a description at Baseball Almanac:
Frank McCormick had opened the seventh with a single and Leo Durocher, the next batter, was ordered to sacrifice. He followed the order as third baseman Jimmie Foxx charged in. Playing the ball, Foxx made the scoop and threw the ball into right field. Joe DiMaggio, in right in deference to Earl Averill, raced in, picked up the ball and fired it home. The throw was too high and sailed over catcher Bill Dickey's head, allowing McCormick to score. Meanwhile, Durocher never stopped running until he reached home.
In 2000 Vin Scully is voted the #1 sportscaster of the 20th century by members of the American Sportscasters Association. - Happy Birthday, Willie Randolph!
