Cole, Chapman join Judge as Yanks' All-Stars
NEW YORK -- The Yankees will have three representatives at the 2021 All-Star Game presented by Mastercard, with outfielder Aaron Judge, right-hander Gerrit Cole and left-hander Aroldis Chapman all suiting up for the American League in the July 13 Midsummer Classic at Coors Field.
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The selections of Cole and Chapman were announced on Sunday during the 2021 Google MLB All-Star Selection Show on ESPN. All of the pitchers and position player reserves were selected through a combination of player ballot selections and choices made by the Commissioner's Office.
"It's a tremendous honor," Cole said. "I¡¯m always humbled because it's a player vote relative to the pitchers. That holds a special place for me and hopefully, we can get back to pitching to that type of level here soon.¡±
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This marks Cole¡¯s fourth All-Star selection (also in 2015, ¡¯18, ¡¯19), and his first as a member of the Yankees. The ace is 8-4 with a 2.91 ERA in 17 starts, permitting 81 hits and 20 walks against 135 strikeouts in 105 innings.
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Chapman is an All-Star for the seventh time in his career (also in 2012-15, ¡¯18-19), and for the third time with the Yankees.
¡°It¡¯s one of those achievements that definitely go under the resume of your playing career,¡± Chapman said through an interpreter. ¡°It¡¯s one of those opportunities that I think every player wants the chance to be a part of at least once. To be selected means a lot.¡±
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After a blown save in Sunday's Game 1 loss to the Mets, Chapman owns a 4.71 ERA in 32 appearances, having converted 16 of 20 save opportunities. In 28 2/3 innings, Chapman has permitted 21 hits and 20 walks, with 49 strikeouts.
¡°The way I started the season and the performance those months gave me an idea that it could have been a possibility,¡± Chapman said. ¡°It¡¯s surprising and nice, given that the past couple of weeks have been tough for me. It¡¯s great to hear it.¡±
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Judge was voted into the starting lineup after earning 13 percent of the vote among AL outfielders in Phase 2 of fan balloting, marking his third career All-Star start. Judge finished behind the Angels¡¯ Mike Trout (19 percent) and slightly ahead of the Blue Jays¡¯ Teoscar Hern¨¢ndez (12 percent).
The 29-year-old Judge leads the Yankees in nearly every offensive category, entering play on Sunday with a .284/.381/.529 slash line, 19 home runs and 43 RBIs in 76 games. Judge¡¯s previous All-Star selections came in 2017 and ¡¯18.