The Yankees will be well represented in next week’s All-Star festivities. Not only will myself, BronxNet’s top Yankee Insider be heading to St. Louis for the Midsummer Classic, but so will three Bronx Bombers: Mark Teixeira, Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera. Teixeira’s back-and-forth battle with Red Sox counterpart Kevin Youkilis to serve as the American League’s starting first baseman ended on Sunday, and now the slugger is headed to the July 14 contest at Busch Stadium, joined by Junior Circuit leading vote-getter, Jeter, and the unflappable closer, Mo Rivera. Jeter and Mo are both 10-time All-Stars, and like Tex, are enjoying terrific seasons.
“I’m so appreciative of the fans," Teixeira said. "Since I've been here, I've said they were the best fans in the country. I want to thank all of the fans for going out there and voting. It just shows how passionate Yankees fans are. There's probably four or five first basemen that deserve to go and deserve to start, but you've got to give credit to the Yankees fans for getting me there."
Jeter paced the AL in votes received for the first time in his career, appearing on 4,851,889 ballots to earn his sixth All-Star start.
It’s hard to make an All-Star case for any other Yankee than these three. Robinson Cano has had a bounce back season at second base, but that position features some of the top hitters in the league, including reigning MVP Dustin Pedroia and Toronto’s Aaron Hill. Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler may also capture one of the final spots on the roster.
As far as pitchers go, only CC Sabathia deserved some consideration. He’s been shaky over his last few starts and that likely sealed the deal for the big lefty.
Nonetheless, congrats to Jeter, Mo and Tex. I’ll see you in St. Louis!
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