As much as I would have loved seeing Andy Pettitte or Phil Hughes start the All-Star game for the American League, Joe Girardi did the right thing in picking David Price to start the Mid-summer Classic for his squad.
Both Pettitte and Hughes had a lot going for them. Pettitte is having the best season of a borderline Hall of Fame career with an 11-2 record and a 2.70 ERA at the break and would have been the sentimental choice, given that he is nearing the end of his career (according to Pettitte, but we've heard this before). Hughes, the up and coming future ace of the New York Yankees, has posted an 11-2 record with a 3.65 ERA and would have started the game at the stadium 10 minutes away from his home. Girardi would not have been faulted too much for going with one of his guys and I’m sure the Yankees manager will get both of them into the game.
But the greatness of the young Tampa Bay Rays ace cannot be denied. He is having a phenomenal season, with a 12-4 record and a 2.42 ERA, both leading the American League and helping the Rays keep pace with the Bronx Bombers. “I think the American League has a bright young star on our hands in our starting pitcher David Price, who is still only 24 years,” Girardi said.
“It hasn’t hit me yet,” Price said. “It’s a huge honor to be here and it’s an even bigger honor to be one of the two starters. I’m very happy to be here.”
A well-deserved honor. Looking forward to tonight, watching Price go head-to-head with that other young stud Ubaldo Jimenez for the National League.
Both Pettitte and Hughes had a lot going for them. Pettitte is having the best season of a borderline Hall of Fame career with an 11-2 record and a 2.70 ERA at the break and would have been the sentimental choice, given that he is nearing the end of his career (according to Pettitte, but we've heard this before). Hughes, the up and coming future ace of the New York Yankees, has posted an 11-2 record with a 3.65 ERA and would have started the game at the stadium 10 minutes away from his home. Girardi would not have been faulted too much for going with one of his guys and I’m sure the Yankees manager will get both of them into the game.
But the greatness of the young Tampa Bay Rays ace cannot be denied. He is having a phenomenal season, with a 12-4 record and a 2.42 ERA, both leading the American League and helping the Rays keep pace with the Bronx Bombers. “I think the American League has a bright young star on our hands in our starting pitcher David Price, who is still only 24 years,” Girardi said.
“It hasn’t hit me yet,” Price said. “It’s a huge honor to be here and it’s an even bigger honor to be one of the two starters. I’m very happy to be here.”
A well-deserved honor. Looking forward to tonight, watching Price go head-to-head with that other young stud Ubaldo Jimenez for the National League.
Thanks to Wknight94 via Wikipedia for the photo.
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