Braves’ McCann Chosen for All Star Game
May 15, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA: Atlanta Braves catcher
Brian McCannagainst the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
It was a huge let down for fans to learn that Freddie Freeman wouldn’t be able to play in Tuesday evening’s All Star Game. Freeman suffered a thumb injury in the third game of the four game series against the Cincinnati Reds, and it was soon determined that the injury would be too severe to risk playing in the ASG. Fans were thrilled, and Freeman expressed humble gratitude to all the fans who voted for his selection. It felt like a nationwide movement when fans pulled together all across Braves’ Country to vote for Freeman for the extra ASG selection. Everyone thought Yasiel Puig with the LA Dodgers was a shoe in to win the vote, but fans thought otherwise, and Freeman receiver well over 15 million votes, which was a record.
Freeman has been on an absolute tear recently, and really going back more than a month. In the last 14 days for example, Freddie has hit on a line of .313/.400/.458/.858, with 15 hits, including 5 doubles, a triple, and 8 RBIs. Needless to say, Atlanta Fans, NL Fans, and Bruce Bochy hoped that Freddie would be ready to play in the ASG and bring that considerable prowess to bear at the plate. No one I talked to expected Freddie to play much in the ASG, but with that kind of offensive power, it might only have taken one AB.
It appeared that Craig Kimbrell would then be the only Atlanta Brave who might play in the ASG, that is, until Bruce Bochy selected Brian McCann to replace Freeman in Tuesday’s Mid Summer Classic. If you had to pick one Brave to replace the hot Freeman, it had to be Brian McCann. Brian will be in his seventh career All-Star game, and he’s been hot himself, entering today’s game hitting .291 with 12 home runs and a .910 OPS. Pretty impressive! In fact, while Yadier Molina garnered the most votes as a catcher, and Buster Posey is another reserve with McCann, you could make the argument that McCann should possibly have been more than just a reserve! Yadier’s numbers are good, with a .334 average, 6 homers, 45 RBIs and and .381 OBP. Posey is a reserve, but his numbers are even better with a .325 average, 13 homers, 56 RBIs, and a .395 OBP. McCann missed a good bit of the first half, but is still hitting a .291 average, with 12 homers, 32 RBIs, and a .374 OBP. All that aside though, I know it’s an honor for McCann to be chosen, even as a reserve. He’s proven six times already he has the juice to play with the best catchers in the majors, and proved it in 2010 with an ASG MVP.
Be sure and tune in to watch the festivities this week. Below is a schedule of the events leading up to the 84th Annual MLB All Star Game at Citi Field, New York.
2013 MLB ALL-STAR SUMMER EVENTS
Friday, July 12 – Tuesday, July 16
T-Mobile All-Star FanFest at the Javits Center
Saturday, July 13
All-Star 5K & Fun Run benefiting Sandy Relief, presented by Nike, at Brooklyn’s Prospect Park
All-Star Charity Concert benefiting Sandy Relief at Central Park
Sunday, July 14
Taco Bell All-Star Sunday at Citi Field featuring: SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game
Taco Bell All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game
Monday, July 15
Gatorade All-Star Workout Day at Citi Field
featuring the Chevrolet Home Run Derby
Tuesday, July 16
84th MLB All-Star Game at Citi Field