Stanton Upset That Teammates Were Left Off All-Star Team
ST. LOUIS (CBSMiami) – When Giancarlo Stanton found out that he had made the National League All-Star team for the first time in his career he was filled with mixed emotions.
On one hand he was thrilled to be a part of the MLB All-Star Game but on the other hand he was quite upset that his deserving teammates, Henderson Alvarez and Casey McGehee, were both overlooked by fans, players and NL All-Star coach Mike Matheny when the rosters were announced on Sunday evening.
Matheny informed Stanton that while he wasn't voted in as an outfield starter for the National League squad by the fans, the Marlins slugger would still be in the starting lineup as the NL designated hitter.
Since this year's All-Star game is being played in Minnesota, an American League stadium, the lineups would feature a DH spot.
Despite the news that he would be starting, Stanton wasn't shy about voicing his displeasure for the decision to leave his teammates off the roster.
"I'm pretty mad," Stanton proclaimed. "It still doesn't make any sense. I know people get gypped every year from it. But this is my first case of being together and seeing the dominance that [McGehee] has been."
Fans voted Brewers third baseman Aramis Ramirez into the starting lineup while Cincinnati's Todd Frazier was chosen by the players to be the reserve third baseman.
An additional third baseman was added to the roster as Matheny used one of the picks available to him to select the Cardinals' Matt Carpenter, who is not having nearly as strong of a season statistically, both at the plate and in the field, as McGehee.
According to CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald, Matheny approached McGehee during batting practice before Sunday's game between the Marlins and Cardinals to explain his decision.
"He just said it was a tough decision and he had to go in a different direction with it," McGehee said of his conversation with Matheny. "I'm sure he's a lot harder decision to make when you're the one that actually has to put your name on it. So I can respect that. And I did truly appreciate him coming over. I could tell he was genuine in what he was saying. That meant a lot to me."
Hope is not completely lost for McGehee's bid to make the All-Star team though. He is one of five players on the "Final Vote" ballot that will allow fans to vote online for the player they feel is most deserving of the 34th and final roster spot on the NL squad.
Even with the additional opportunity to make the team it's still unlikely that McGehee gets voted in. In the fans vote for N.L. third baseman, McGehee didn't even finish in the top five.
The Marlins could very well start an online campaign to get McGehee the "Final Vote" so that fans can be educated on the stellar season that he is having.
"He shouldn't have to hope for the last spot," Stanton added. "It's not something he needs to promote himself to get there now. It's something that shouldn't be an unfair situation. If you perform the best, you should be there."
While there isn't anything Stanton can do to help McGehee make it on the All-Star team (other than vote on MLB.com), there is another person in a Marlins uniform that Giancarlo is bringing to Minnesota.
Manager Mike Redmond was never an All-Star as a player but thanks to Stanton he'll get to experience what it feels like to be part of the festivities first hand.
Stanton will be participating in the Home Run Derby and has chosen Redmond to pitch to him. Redmond normally throws to Stanton during batting practice.
"I was honored when he came and asked me," Redmond said. "Of course I want to be there."
Redmond found the humor in that while he spent his entire 13-year MLB career as a catcher, he would be attending his first All-Star game as a pitcher.
"I know when I retired, I didn't think I ever had a vision of throwing batting practice to someone in the Home Run Derby," he smiled. "I'm going to enjoy the experience as much as anybody else. I'm going to have my kids and wife there."
With Stanton being used to Redmond throwing his batting practice balls almost every day, the decision to bring the Marlins skipper was easy.
"I didn't want it to be someone I know is good but I haven't hit off them in 3 1/2 months. I don't like that," Stanton explained.
(©2014 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald contributed material for this report.)
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