Why Phillies ace Cole Hamels thinks pitchers are 'the true All-Stars'
If voting continues at its current rate, the Philadelphia Phillies will be without a position player on the All-Star team, leaving it up to a pitcher to represent the club in this year's All-Star game.
The likely candidate for that honor is left-handed starter Cole Hamels, who discussed the prospect of making the All-Star team on Tuesday.
"It comes down to a vote, so you have to put up the numbers," Hamels said. "There are a lot of good guys that are pitching very well, so, you just have to grind it out. And if it happens, it's an absolute honor."
Hamels has been selected for three prior All-Star games, pitching a scoreless inning in both the 2007 and 2012 games.
The 31-year-old veteran has had other great seasons in which he was on the verge of making the All-Star, but wasn't selected.
Had the voting been left up to the fans as it is for position players, there likely would've been a different outcome.
"You really do have to deserve every bit and every vote," Hamels notes. "It's not a popularity contest, like some of the other guys get to have the luxury of. Pitchers, I think, are the true All-Stars when they get voted in."
With a 5-5 record, a 3.19 earned run average, and 91 strikeouts in 13 starts, Hamels will be on the verge of making another All-Star team this season.
(h/t Philadelphia Daily News)
Photo credit: Jamie Squire/Getty Images
