'Amazing' A-Rod Snubbed From All-Star Game
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- New York Yankees co-owner Hank Steinbrenner says Alex Rodriguez is having "one of the greatest comeback years any player has ever had."
But it's not enough to earn him an appearance in the upcoming All-Star Game.
Rodriguez wasn't elected to start by the fans and was passed over by American League manager Ned Yost of the Royals, who announced his All-Star reserves on Monday.
"We spent a lot of time debating his name," said Yost, who preferred the versatility of an extra infielder or outfielder. "We felt we were covered in the DH. ... We wanted to get Alex Rodriguez on there and couldn't."
Rodriguez is hitting .284 during a season in which he passed Willie Mays for fourth on the career home run list and topped 3,000 hits. But Texas' Prince Fielder, who was elected by players, joined starter Nelson Cruz as the only DHs on the AL roster.
Kansas City third baseman Mike Moustakas is among the five players on the AL fan ballot for the 34th and final roster spot, joining Boston shortstop Xander Bogaerts, Detroit outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, Minnesota second baseman Brian Dozier and Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner. Meaning, Rodriguez won't be making his 15th All-Star team.
"As I've said all season, my number one goal is helping the Yankees win a championship. I'm excited that we're in a good position to get there," Rodriguez said in a statement. "Of course it would have been an honor to represent the American League next week, but I'll have fun cheering on the guys who were put on the team and watching them protect home field."
The three-time MVP, who turns 40 on July 27, has 16 home runs and 47 RBIs for the Yankees after missing last year because of a drug suspension.
"It's an amazing year," Steinbrenner said at his charity golf outing on Monday. "The bad hips, all the other stuff, the more than a year off at his age. To come back and do what he's done is pretty amazing."
Yankees reliever Dellin Betances was elected by players, and first baseman Mark Teixeira was picked to fill Cabrera's roster spot. But this will be the first All-Star Game with no Yankees starters since 1999.
The league that wins the All-Star Game on July 14 in Cincinnati gets home-field advantage in the World Series.
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