WASHINGTON (CBSDC) - Ian Desmond will need a push from Nationals fans if he wants to join teammates Jordan Zimmermann and Bryce Harper in New York for the 2013 MLB All-Star Game.
While the 27-year-old Zimmermann made the cut for his first mid-summer classic appearance, Harper, 20, becomes the first player in MLB history to appear in two All-Star games before the age of 21.
“I got to thank the fans of D.C. and Las Vegas and everywhere else that voted for me,” Harper said after the Nats’ 5-4 victory over the Padres Saturday.
As for Desmond, he’s just happy to be in the conversation.
“It’s an honor to be mentioned,” Desmond said.
“I came a long way since I came into the big leagues,” he later added.
He’ll be running up against stiff competition for the 34th roster spot. Joining him on the final ballot is Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman, Giants outfielder Hunter Pence, and first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and outfielder Yasiel Puig of the Dodgers.
If it’s any consolation, two Dodgers on the ballot could potentially force a split-vote from fans in LA, opening the door for Washingtonians to push Desmond through it.
Voting ends on Thursday. You can cast your ballot for the Nats’ shortstop here.
It’s very simple. You’ click on the face of the player you’d like to vote in, then enter your birthdate and email address when prompted at the bottom.
From there, fans can make multiple submissions by repeatedly tapping the submit button. That is, if one felt compelled to do so, for whatever reason.
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