Major League Baseball

Quotes about the All-Star rosters

Published Jul. 3, 2011 6:50 p.m. ET

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Quotes from around the majors about the AL and NL rosters announced Sunday for the All-Star game July 12 in Phoenix:

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''It would have been a great honor to start, but they got it right and hopefully one of these years I am starting. ... The guy's leading the league in hitting, he can play great defense, he does so much for a team. We're different players. We both the same position but I'm a guy that has some power and drives in runs, he's a guy that gets on base and scores runs. Very exciting player.'' - Colorado shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, overtaken by Jose Reyes of the Mets in the last week of fan voting.

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''My dad usually can't shut up, but when I called him he had just seen it on TV and he was speechless. He couldn't say anything. It was nice to see him react that way. My mom and dad and brother and sister are all going to make the trip.'' - Kansas City reliever Aaron Crow, one of 24 first-timers picked.

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''I thought we'd have a few more guys, yeah. I also know how it works. It's not a fair process. The process you do, I've been through it. I would never criticize. ... The rules they have, there's good reasons, I understand them. But if you're going to abide by those rules, guys are going to get left off. You just have to know that going in.'' - Boston manager Terry Francona.

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''It would be very nice to get in the game. Last time I went in '09 and didn't get to play, it's kind of an empty feeling a little bit.'' - Houston outfielder Hunter Pence.

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''It will be new for me. You always want to shoot to start the game and now I'll finally have the chance to do that.'' - Atlanta catcher Brian McCann, the All-Star game MVP last year. This will be his sixth All-Star appearance and first start.

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''It will be huge simply because Michael can handle every position on the infield, so that gives me versatility right there and that's exactly what he's done for the Texas Rangers so far this year. He's handled many positions and it hasn't affected the style of play Michael goes out there and plays with.'' - AL manager Ron Washington of Texas on reserve Michael Young of the Rangers.

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''I know he's going to try to pick a bomb squad, you know what I'm saying?'' - Boston DH David Ortiz, captain of the AL Home Run Derby team, on NL Derby captain Prince Fielder.

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''Around last week my wife said we need to know if we should buy tickets. They're the ones that prepare everything and do everything. I told her I didn't know. She's like, 'Well, it seems like you're going because you have a lot of votes.''' - NL starting third baseman Placido Polanco of Phillies.

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''It wasn't even on my mind. I was actually planning what I was going to do on the off-days. Probably was going to stay in a condo on the beach that my buddy has. Maybe go out on the water in a boat. Just relax.'' - Tampa Bay outfielder Matt Joyce.

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''The three guys that are starting are guys that should be starting at their position. A lot of times - and I know the fans are a huge part of what we do - but sometimes the fans vote for who they like and the superstar that's been there before and may not even be having a good year. It's nice to see our guys voted in and those are the top three guys at their positions. That's really cool.'' - Milwaukee manager Ron Roenicke on the election of Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun, first baseman Prince Fielder and second baseman Rickie Weeks.

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''I'm happy they made the team but I don't particularly want all three of them pitching.'' - Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel after aces Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels were picked for the NL side.

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''I've only made one other All-Star team in my career, and that was in high A, and it was in my backyard. The game was at the Clearwater Threshers stadium, but I didn't get to play in the game. They sent me down to low A to pitch a playoff clinching game that I lost. It was a very weird dynamic that I was kind of bitter about at the time. So this is the second All-Star team that I've made, and obviously it's the big leagues, so it's a lot cooler.'' - Washington reliever Tyler Clippard.

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''I think maybe a little strong. A little bit melodramatic. But at the same time, it is satisfying to be able to bounce back from the tough year last year and return to a level that I'd like to be at.'' - St. Louis outfielder Lance Berkman, on whether he feels vindicated coming off a down season.

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''Vote often, and vote a lot. I want to get there. I want to play in the All-Star game.'' - Washington outfielder Michael Morse, one of five candidates in fan voting for the final NL roster spot.

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