Perkins, Suzuki staying home to represent Twins at All-Star Game
MINNEAPOLIS -- Another year, another Minnesota Twins catcher in the All-Star Game -- only this time it's not Joe Mauer.
Kurt Suzuki earned his first All-Star selection of his eight-year career, and it comes in his first season with the Twins. He won't be alone in representing Minnesota when Target Field hosts of this year's All-Star Game. Twins closer Glen Perkins will join him as Perkins earns the second All-Star nomination of his career.
For Perkins, this year's All-Star Game has special meaning for the Stillwater, Minn., native to be able to play in the midsummer classic in his hometown. For Suzuki, the fact that it's his first All-Star appearance will give it extra meaning.
"I don't know how to describe it. It's kind of surreal right now," Suzuki said on Sunday. "I'm just kind of trying to soak it all in and have a good time with it and enjoy myself."
Suzuki wasn't voted in as a starter, but was chosen as a reserve. Though he was viewed as more of a defensive specialist when the Twins signed him to a one-year deal this offseason, Suzuki has been arguably one of Minnesota's best hitters. Through Sunday's game, he's batting .306 with 34 RBI in 72 games.
One of Suzuki's best offensive seasons came in 2009 with Oakland when he hit .274 with 15 homers and a career-high 88 RBI. Suzuki thought he had a shot at making the All-Star Game that season, but it wasn't meant to be.
Now he gets to do so in his new home ballpark.
"It's my first one, so I don't know what it's going to be like, but I'm assuming it's going to be pretty fun with the home crowd behind you," Suzuki said. "This is my home team. It's going to be exciting."
Perkins earned his first All-Star selection last year in his first full season as the Twins' closer. Though his ERA is higher now than it was a year ago, the rest of Perkins' numbers warranted an All-Star bid. He's striking out more batters and issuing fewer walks than he did in 2013, and his 20 saves are the fourth-most among American League closers.
After accompanying Mauer in last year's All-Star Game at Citi Field in New York, Perkins gets to stay in his home state with another Twins catcher."Ever since we got named as the host team for it, I think it was something that a lot of the guys in the clubhouse were looking forward to," Perkins said. "Things broke my way. I did everything I could do to be here. I don't think it's really sunk in yet, but I'm excited to represent the Twins and the state and all that. It's a dream come true."
Despite a 39-48 record, Minnesota had a few other players who were in the All-Star conversation yet ended up falling short. That includes second baseman Brian Dozier, whose 16 home runs and 15 stolen bases are both the most on the Twins roster. But amid a deep crop of second basemen in the American League, Dozier's numbers weren't quite enough.
"It is what it is. It's always something it'd be cool to make and all that kind of stuff," Dozier said. "It's just one of those things. It didn't work out this year. Oh well. We're geared on winning games, and all this other stuff takes care of itself."
Starting pitcher Phil Hughes made an early case to make his second All-Star Game, but the right-hander has struggled over his last three starts. Still, Hughes' 8-5 record and 3.95 ERA had him in the discussion.
In the end, Minnesota will have a pair of players representing the organization, as well as manager Ron Gardenhire, trainer Dave Pruemer and strength coach Perry Castellano, who will also be on the American League staff.
"I think we could have had more," Perkins said. "I don't think there's only two All-Stars on this team. I think there's more than that. But it's exciting for me, it's exciting for Kurt, and I'm sure disappointing for some guys."
Though he was an All-Star last season, Perkins didn't actually get to pitch in the game in New York. He said one of his fondest memories of the whole experience was getting to sit and hear Yankees closer Mariano Rivera -- participating in his 13th and final All-Star Game -- telling stories in the bullpen.
With the game in his home state, the chances should be a bit better this year that Perkins gets to pitch in the game.
"I'll be on the bench," Gardenhire said. "I'll just sneak him out there."
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