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Manfred's All-Star Choice: Harper Named Amid Snubs
5 Jul
Summary
- Bryce Harper selected as 'Legend Pick' for All-Star Game.
- Harper had a previous heated exchange with MLB Commissioner Manfred.
- Several notable players were controversially left off rosters.
One year after a heated argument with Commissioner Rob Manfred, Bryce Harper was named a "Legend Pick" to represent the Philadelphia Phillies at the upcoming All-Star Game. This selection comes as Harper experiences a strong first half of the season, hitting .274 with 20 home runs and 57 RBIs.
Harper's inclusion was particularly noteworthy due to several high-profile snubs. Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman and Atlanta's Matt Olson secured starting spots through fan and player balloting, respectively. Harper joins four other Phillies teammates on the All-Star roster, including Kyle Schwarber and pitcher Cristopher Sanchez.
The Dodgers will feature five players, including four starters, for the first time since 1980. Shohei Ohtani, a starter as DH, and World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto are among their selections. In the American League, the Yankees, Blue Jays, and Rays each have four All-Stars, though Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s selection despite a subpar season drew criticism.
Notable omissions include Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras and pitcher Sonny Gray. The St. Louis Cardinals also saw legitimate complaints about second baseman JJ Wetherholt and pitcher Michael McGreevy being left off, though Jordan Walker was added as a selection. Numerous other players and pitchers were also considered notable snubs.
The All-Star Game will feature 26 first-time participants, including four rookies. Kevin McGonigle of Detroit is the youngest at 21. The Guardians are one of only five teams in MLB history to send multiple rookies. Mike Trout, despite injury, is expected to play, marking his first All-Star Game appearance since 2019.
MLB made additional selections to fill out rosters, including players from teams that had no initial All-Stars. Pitchers Bryan Baker, Jacob Latz, Ranger Suarez, Michael Wacha, first baseman Ben Rice, and catcher Adley Rutschman were named for the AL. For the NL, pitchers Max Meyer, Eduardo Rodriguez, Logan Webb, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, outfielder Jordan Walker, and catcher Hunter Goodman were selected.
