Boston Red Sox – Six Players Selected!

The Boston Red Sox who just happen to be the best team in the American League, had a total of six players selected for this year’s All-Star Game in St. Louis.  As Dustin Pedroia and Jason Bay were both selected by the fans to start for the AL side, in this year’s classic.  Then it was time for the reserves to be named.  Which fell to this year’s manager Joe Maddon, from the Tampa Bay Rays as he rewarded the AL East leading Red Sox by naming four more Sox players to the team. 

Maddon selected pitchers Tim Wakefield, Josh Beckett and Jonathan Papelbon along with Kevin Youkilis to represent the AL side.  They all deserved to be on the team as they’ve produced all season for the Sox and their fans.  Wakefield and Beckett are both having great years as they lead the AL with 11 wins each.  And Papelbon is once again ranked in the top three among relievers for saves, with 23 on the season. 

Then there’s Youkilis, or as we say in Boston YOUKKKKK!  Who was a very close second in the fan voting, is once again having another stellar year at the plate and in the field.  As Youkilis is hitting .298 with 79 hits, 16 HR’s and 53 RBIs.  Plus Youkilis would give Maddon added security as he can play either first or third base if it was needed.

Unfortunately the Sox only sent five of them to the game in St. Louis.  As it was recently announced that the reigning AL MVP Pedroia would not be making the trip to participate in this year’s game.  Pedroia who’s wife is pregnant with their first child (a boy) was recently taken to a Boston area hospital due to early labor complications.  Has decided to skip the game and will stay in Boston while he attends to his wife and family matters. 

His choice to skip the game shows why Pedroia isn’t only a great baseball player, but also why he’s a great man.  There comes a time and a place when people need to put certain things on the back burner and take care of family first.  And this was definitely one of those times, and I’m proud to call myself a fan of Dustin Pedroia.  Especially after he was faced with this tough decision.  Way to go Dustin and from myself here at BoSoxInjection, I wish you and your wife, Kelli all the best in the future.

Congratulations to each and every one of the Red Sox players who were selected for this year’s ASG!  Here’s to an even better second half of baseball and another run for that AL East title.