Three Yankees are slated to play in next week’s All-Star Game. Mike Mussina won’t be one of them.
The right-hander was left off of the AL squad yesterday and though he admitted to being “a little disappointed,” he wasn’t upset with Red Sox manager and AL skipper Terry Francona’s decision. Mussina is just pleased to be pitching well.
“It’s OK, really,” said Mussina, who is 11-6 with a 3.64 ERA but won’t join teammates Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera next week. “I don’t think I could have done anything else.”
Mussina insisted making the All-Star team wasn’t a goal of his this season.
“I think I’ve done pretty much what I’ve wanted to do this year,” Mussina said. “I got out there and proved I could pitch again – or that I could still pitch and everybody thought I couldn’t. That’s really all I wanted to do and, for 18 starts or whatever, it’s been pretty good.” Rodriguez was more upset than Mussina. “He’s the comeback player of the year,” said Rodriguez, the top All-Star vote-getter.
Jason Giambi remains in the running for the team because he’s one of five players fans can still vote for as the final player on the AL’s 32-man roster. He’s not too worried about the outcome.
“I had a bad first month,” said Giambi, who has recovered and has 18 homers and 53 RBIs. He said he would participate in the Home Run Derby if he’s voted in, but if he’s left off, he’s “going home.”
Yankees GM Brian Cashman said he had “no complaints” regarding the selections.