Major League Baseball

Angels come together for #VoteGRich movement

Published Jul. 8, 2014 9:03 p.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The campaign has officially become a movement.

The Angels are leaving no leaf unturned when it comes to getting starter Garrett Richards on the roster for next week's MLB All-Star Game on FOX at Target Field in Minnesota.

Following batting practice of Monday's series opener with the Blue Jays, there were black t-shirts waiting for the players in the clubhouse with "#VOTEGRICH" scripted across the chest and a large No. 43 on the back in red in honor of Richards.

Once the announcement was made Sunday that Richards would be a part of the final vote to make the American League All-Star team along with Astros starter Dallas Keuchel, Indians starter Corey Kluber, Tigers starter Rick Porcello, and White Sox starter Chris Sale, the players all got behind their teammate.

Individual layers sent out tweets encouraging fans to vote for Richards but collectively they wanted to do something. So on Tuesday during batting practice the entire team, including manager Mike Scioscia, in addition to other staff members, wore the #VOTEGRICH t-shirts.

Richards, who donned one as well, was moved by the gesture.

"You don't really recognize a clubhouse and an organization coming together until it's about you," said Richards, who is 10-2 with a 2.71 ERA this season. "I'm not much of a guy who is used to a lot of this stuff so it makes me feel grateful inside that an organization and a team and even Southern California would be able to come together and support me in this. Words can't express. "

There may not be a more vocal member of the Angels roster in support of Richards than his teammate and roommate Mike Trout.

"I'm pushing for it," Trout said. "I want him to get in for sure."

The two were a part of what has become a stellar 2009 draft class for the Angels and climbed the ranks together as teammates at various stops in the Angels organization. Perhaps next week in Minnesota they'll be teammates again. 

"It'd be another team for me and him to play on together and it's been a few years of grinding together and it would only mean we've made it to another accomplishment together," Richards said.

The shirts are printed and ballots are being punched, including that of Scioscia.

"I have voted and that's why I can wear the (shirt)," the Angels skipper said looking down at his black shirt.

He too, is a part of the movement.

share

Get more from Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

Major League Baseball