The Mets’ David Wright passed injured Phillies third baseman Placido Polanco late in the voting and will start the All-Star Game for the National League, it was announced today.
Wright, trailing in the fan voting until this week, will be joined on the NL team by backup shortstop Jose Reyes.
“That’s what it’s all about,” Wright told MLB.com of the fan balloting and campaigning. “There’s no greater feeling of a kid wearing your jersey, seeing a fan wearing your jersey, to know that you have fans out there and people who genuinely care about trying to get you to the All-Star Game and do good things for you.
“That’s great. I’m beyond appreciative. You want to try to go out there and put on a good show for the fans and to know that they have your back, and know that you have people out there who are trying to do nice things for you.”
Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano and shortstop Derek Jeter will start for the AL in next Tuesday’s game at Anaheim, joined by pitchers CC Sabathia, Phil Hughes and Mariano Rivera, and reserve third baseman Alex Rodriguez.
Andy Pettitte, thought to be in line to possibly start the game, was not named.
Washington rookie Stephen Strasburg was not named to the NL team, nor were Mets pitchers Mike Pelfrey and R.A. Dickey.