Ryan Braun named to National League all-star team

Los Angeles — Ryan Braun's plans for the all-star break changed quickly and dramatically on Sunday.

Now, instead of remaining home in the Los Angeles area and spending time with family and friends, the Milwaukee Brewers rightfielder will be traveling to Cincinnati to take part in his sixth All-Star Game, which is Tuesday night.

Braun was named as a replacement for the injured Matt Holliday by National League manager Bruce Bochy.

"It's a good problem to have," said Braun with a smile minutes before the Brewers' 4-3 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Braun homered in his first at-bat and finished the day 2 for 4.

"Logistically it makes things a little more challenging with a 10-month-old baby, but a good problem to have. A tremendous honor to have an opportunity to go to the All-Star Game again.

"It's something I'm really proud of. It's something that's extremely difficult to do, and I'm really looking forward to it."

Holliday has been out with a right quadriceps strain since June 8, and Braun admitted the news he'd take Holliday's place surprised him a bit.

"Obviously when guys get hurt you know there's an opportunity, potentially," he said. "I had a decent first half — certainly deserving of at least being in the conversation. When guys get hurt, ultimately it isn't the way you want to end up in the All-Star Game, but it's a tremendous honor to be there nonetheless."

Manager Craig Counsell believes Braun was well-deserving of the honor.

"I'm thrilled for him," he said. "Six All-Star Games is pretty incredible. I know it means a lot to him."

It will be the first time Braun will participate in MLB's midsummer classic since 2012. That year he was voted in as a starter, and eventually he finished as runner-up to Buster Posey for NL MVP after hitting .319 with 41 homers and 112 RBI.

Braun was suspended for the final 65 games of the 2013 season for his involvement in the Biogenesis scandal. Last year, he posted career lows with a .266 average, 19 homers and 81 RBI while dealing with a nerve issue in his right thumb.

"I don't think about things in those terms," Braun said of making it back to the All-Star Game after being suspended.

"I recognize how difficult it is to have an opportunity...so the fact that I get to go is definitely something that's special.

"I just found out a little while ago, so I haven't really had too much time to reflect on it yet."

Braun has had two cryotherapy injections in his thumb since last season, and he's bounced back nicely to hit .275 with 16 homers and 56 RBI while also stealing 15 bases in 84 games this season.

He's also one of five players in the majors to have at least 15 homers and 10 stolen bases.

"It's been a little challenging just getting back to a consistent place mechanically," Braun said. "Obviously I've deal with a lot with the thumb over the last year and a half, just trying to get my swing and bat path back to where I expect them to be.

"But over the past couple months I feel like I've been a lot better, a lot more consistent. Certainly a lot of room for growth, a lot of room for improvement, and I expect to be better moving forward. But overall, the last couple months have been pretty good."

Added Counsell: "I think he's been really good for a while now. It's not the same every day, but he's a force in the middle of the lineup."

Braun joins closer Francisco Rodriguez on the NL team, giving the Brewers multiple all-stars for the third consecutive season.

In four career All-Star Games — Braun didn't play in 2011 in Arizona due to injury — Braun has hit .200 (2 for 10) with a double, triple, RBI and run scored.
Braun's six All-Star Game nods rank him first in franchise history. Paul Molitor and Cecil Cooper each earned five during their time in Milwaukee.

"I think as you get older you have greater perspective on just how difficult it is to make one all-star team, let alone multiple all-star teams," he said. "You look around the league now and it's really dominated by young players.

"Looking back, first All-Star Game was 2008. To be going back to another All-Star Game in 2015 is certainly something I cherish."


(jsonline.com)