Twins' Dozier headed to All-Star Game as injury replacement
Brian Dozier's wild week just got significantly better.
The Minnesota Twins second baseman learned on Saturday afternoon that he'll be headed to the 2015 All-Star Game after all. Even after losing the final fan vote for the last spot on the American League's honors squad to Kansas City's Mike Moustakas, Dozier will still be headed to Cincinnati for the midsummer classic. That opportunity came about when Toronto slugger Jose Bautista had to bow out due to a sore right shoulder.
During Saturday's contest between Minnesota and Detroit, Dozier's All-Star Game nod was announced over the P.A. system at Target Field, prior to the fourth inning. Dozier promptly smiled and tipped his cap to a cheering crowd, which gave him a standing ovation.
"I get chills even thinking about it right now," Dozier told the Associated Press after the Twins' eventual 9-5 win on Saturday. "It was pretty cool, the standing ovation and all that stuff.
"Very humbling. It's pretty cool," added Dozier, who will be making his first All-Star appearance.
Dozier is among the league leaders in several stat categories. The 28-year-old, fourth-year second baseman has played in 87 games this season, producing 26 doubles, 19 home runs, and 49 RBI.
While Dozier's .259 batting average is only so-so, that stat is largely offset by his stellar .517 slugging percentage.
Dozier opened eyes this week by hitting two walk-off home runs in the span of five days, capped by Friday night's three-run homer that handed the Twins a dramatic, 8-6 comeback win over the Tigers.
The 2015 All-Star Game is set to be played in Cincinnati on Tuesday night, at 7:30 p.m. CT.
Follow Kelly Beaton on Twitter
