Rangers' Hunter Pence named an All-Star starter for first time in his career

Rangers' Hunter Pence named an All-Star starter for first time in his career


DETROIT - For a national election, Hunter Pence was the perfect candidate.

He was a great comeback story. He had a strong base of loyal supporters in Texas and California. And, in New York, he was the perfect alternative to the mainstream candidate. It all combined to make Pence, at 36, an All-Star starter for the first time in his career. Providing his strained groin is healed, he will start for the AL in Cleveland on July 9.

Pence won the voting over other finalists J.D. Martinez of Boston, who was unlikely to garner support from New York Yankees fans, and Nelson Cruz of Minnesota. Pence, who started his career in Houston and spent 6 ½ years as a fan favorite in San Francisco, had both the nationwide appeal and the performance to win the vote. It is his fourth All-Star selection, but his first as a starter; it's also the first time he appeared on the ballot as a DH rather than an outfielder.

"It would be amazing," Pence said of the possibility Thursday afternoon before final results were announced. "I would be very honored and appreciative of the opportunity. It's been a quite a wild journey over the last year to be here. It's been a blessing."

Joey Gallo, who hit a pair of homers Thursday, will, however, have to rely on his peers to make him an All-Star for the first time in his career. Gallo was the only other Ranger to advance to the finals.

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Oh, here's the rest of the All-Star starter roster:

(Note Pitchers and reserves for the All-Star Game will be announced Sunday at 5:30 p.m. ET)



National League starters

C -- Willson Contreras, Chicago Cubs

1B -- Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves

2B -- Ketel Marte, Arizona Diamondbacks

SS -- Javier Baez, Chicago Cubs

3B -- Nolan Arenado, Colorado Rockies

OF -- Christian Yelich, Milwaukee Brewers

OF -- Cody Bellinger, Los Angeles Dodgers

OF -- Ronald Acuna Jr., Atlanta Braves


American League starters

C -- Gary Sanchez, New York Yankees

1B -- Carlos Santana, Cleveland Indians

2B -- DJ LeMahieu, New York Yankees

SS -- Jorge Polanco, Minnesota Twins

3B -- Alex Bregman, Houston Astros

OF -- Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels

OF -- George Springer, Houston Astros

OF -- Michael Brantley, Houston Astros

DH -- Hunter Pence, Texas Rangers

Pitchers and reserves for the All-Star Game will be announced Sunday at 5:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.