Tampa Bay Rays' Carlos Pena added to the All-Star team; replaces Pedroia
It looks like Rays first baseman Carlos Pena's dream will come true.
Pena has been added to the American League All-Star team, replacing Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia, who plans to be with his wife to deal with a "serious family health matter."
With Pedroia out, Rays manager Joe Maddon, leading the AL squad, made the selection to add Pena, calling him late Saturday night to break the news. Pena said he had dozed off, trying to get his daughter, Isabella, to sleep, when his wife told him he had a "million missed calls from Joe."
"I'm in shock," Pena said. "It's a miracle. I'm extremely grateful."
Pena, who leads the AL in home runs with 24, will also take part in Monday's Home Run Derby at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.
Pena was on the Final Man ballot for the final spot on the All-Star team, but finished fourth on the five-man ballot. The Rays had made a "Vote 'Los" campaign, with billboards, t-shirts and laptops around the stadium.
Though there were other worthy candidates, including Rangers 2B Ian Kinsler, Maddon said that with Pena leading the AL in home runs, he deserves to be at the All-Star game.
"I have to believe who ever leads the league in home runs normally belongs in an All-Star game," Maddon said. "And the fact he hadn't been on the team yet bothered me just a little bit, so for whatever reason, it all worked out well."
Maddon said Jays second baseman Aaron Hill will start and Ben Zobrist could back up at second, with Rangers Michael Young also an option.
It will be his first All-Star game. With Pena on board, it will mean the Rays will have their entire infield on the All-Star team, the first club to do so since the 2002 Yankees.
Pena is hitting .230, but has 58 walks and 58 RBI.
-- JOE SMITH
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Lets go Carlos, bring this home for the Rays tonight.
Posted by: KennyNance | July 13, 2009 at 09:44 AM
Since the All Star game has turned into a popularity contest, the manager of the defending American League Champions has every right to pick who he likes.
My wife is a huge Carlos Pena fan and will be glued to the TV for the Home Run Derby as well as the introductions and the All Star game itself. Congrats, Los!
Oh, and KT: You're a freakin' nitwit. But what do you expect from a Red Sox/Yankee fan? Stick it in your ear! Go Rays!
Posted by: Jay of St Pete Beach | July 12, 2009 at 08:30 PM
KT your a joke of a Rays fan yeah is not the most deserving we know, but he is a Ray you should be happy for him
Posted by: delt11 | July 12, 2009 at 07:33 PM
What a joke, Pena is a SO machine and he's terrible with guys is scoring position. Our cleanup hitter is batting .221 with RISP...that's horrible. Most of his HR's are meaningless. Way to go Pena, hope you don't K during the HR derby...
Posted by: KT | July 12, 2009 at 07:26 PM
I dont think Joe is making any friends with this pick, you could easily argue that if Joe was giong to take on another 1b it should be Miguel Cabrera, Russell Branyan or even Paul konerko. Anyways, Congradulations to your first allstar game Carlos, I really do look forward to seeing you represent the rays in the home run derby, hopefully you will put on a better show than Longo did last year. I will be rooting for you.
Posted by: KennyNance | July 12, 2009 at 06:41 PM
The perks of being the AL All Star manager. Good pick Joe.
Posted by: WTF | July 12, 2009 at 01:12 PM
what does it matter cabrera is on the all star team already stupid point. Who cares be happy he is on it. Lind probably deserved more, but it is what it is
Posted by: delt11 | July 12, 2009 at 01:05 PM
Miguel Cabrera .321 18 HRs .927 OPS. Pena .230 24 HRs .893 OPS.
Posted by: MarkFidrych | July 12, 2009 at 12:53 PM
Congrats Carlos!! Only seems fitting the AL leading HR hitter be there and participate in the HR hitting contest. His HR numbers are no fluke and he is an Gold Glover at 1B. Way to go Los!!
Posted by: babysaygorays | July 12, 2009 at 12:28 PM
As much as I like Pena,there are others more deserving.A home team selection by Maddon.
Posted by: MarkFidrych | July 12, 2009 at 12:26 PM
We don't have the history in MLB, but we have the best and most exciting team in major league baseball.
Way to go Carlos, you are the best, (gold glove) and a true team player.
GO RAYS.
Posted by: Paul | July 12, 2009 at 12:20 PM
Maddon is merely participating in a time-honored tradition. For other recent examples see Francona, Terri and Torre, Joe.
Posted by: James Barrens | July 12, 2009 at 11:34 AM
JD every other manager would do the same thing. Also this is the only second player he selected. Bartlett and Crawford was selected by the players and Longo by the fans.
Posted by: delt11 | July 12, 2009 at 11:26 AM
Ol Joe might be pushing his luck with the other AL teams selecting so many players from his own team. However I'm glad Carlos got in with all the home runs he has hit. Good luck to the AL in the game.
Posted by: JD | July 12, 2009 at 11:23 AM