IAN DESMOND AND COLE HAMELS NAMED
TO 2016 AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL-STAR TEAM
Duo selected in player voting
Boston, Massachusetts—Outfielder Ian Desmond and left-handed pitcher Cole Hamels have been selected to play for the American League in the 2016 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, which will take place on Tuesday, July 12 at Petco Park in San Diego. The starting lineups, reserves and pitchers for the American and National League teams were announced this evening by Major League Baseball.
Desmond, who finished fifth in the A.L. player voting among outfielders, was selected to his second All-Star Game. He was selected by N.L. manager Tony LaRussa for the 2012 game as a shortstop but was forced to sit out the contest in Kansas City due to a sore left oblique muscle that would eventually land him on the disabled list.
The last Ranger selected as an All-star who was primarily a centerfielder was Josh Hamilton, who started at that position in 2010. Desmond is hitting .321 with 15 homers and 52 RBI in 83 games in his first season as an outfielder in 2016.
Hamels who placed fourth in the A.L. player voting among starting pitchers, was selected to the All-Star Team for the 4th time. He is a three-time National League All-Star, pitching a scoreless inning in relief in San Francisco in 2007 and Kansas City in 2012. Hamels was selected but did not pitch in 2011 at Arizona.
It marks the 6th time in the last 7 years beginning 2010 that a Rangers starting pitcher has been selected to the A.L. All-Star Team. Hamels is 9-2 with a 2.93 ERA in 17 starts with Texas in 2016.
DH Prince Fielder was the Rangers’ lone All-Star selection in 2015. 3B Adrian Beltre and RHP Yu Darvish were named in 2014.
