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Dodger All-Star Appearances

Jonathan Broxton, Andre Ethier, Rafael Furcal and Hong-Chih Kuo represented the Dodgers at the 2010 All-Star game at Angel Stadium. This is the first time four Dodgers were selected to the All-Star game since five went in 1995. Mike Piazza started at catcher and Hideo Nomo was the National League’s starting pitcher. Raul Mondesi, Jose Offerman and Todd Worrell were National League All-Star reserves.

 

Broxton made the first All-Star appearance of his career. He was selected to the National League All-Star team the past two years, but he could not attend because of injuries. Broxton has had a remarkable season racking up a 3-0 record with a 2.11 ERA and converting 19 of 21 saves.


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Broxton got the nod to pitch in the bottom of the ninth inning in this year’s All-Star game and got the final three outs in the National League’s 3-1 win over the American League. It was the first win for the National League since 1996.

Broxton’s first pitch was hit to right field by David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox for a single. Broxton then came back and struck out former Dodger Adrian Beltre of the Boston Red Sox on three pitches. Next for Broxton was John Buck of the Toronto Blue Jays, who hit a blooper to right resulting in a short hop for Marlon Byrd who picked up the ball and immediately threw to second to get Ortiz on a force out. With two outs, Ian Kinsler of the Texas Rangers popped up on a 99 mph fastball to centerfield. Chris Young made the catch for the final out of the game and ended an eventful, but exciting, inning for Broxton to record his first save in an All-Star game.

Ethier was voted to the All-Star game as a starter after a triple-crown like performance the first month and half of the season. He also made his first All-Star appearance and played in centerfield instead of his usual rightfield position. Ethier had not played the centerfield since his college days at Arizona State. Ethier was moved to his regular rightfield position in the fifth inning and was the only All-Star starter to play six innings. Ethier handled the only ball hit his way in centerfield with ease and went 1-for-2. He pulled a single to rightfield off Detroit righthander Justin Verlander.

Furcal was considered the All-Star veteran of the group after. He made only one All-Star appearance in 2003 when he played for the Atlanta Braves. Furcal was a late selection as a reserve because Jose Reyes of the Mets could not attend due to injury. Furcal was an interesting selection this year not because of his performance on the field, but because he missed a month tending to a foot injury and the death of his dad. Furcal came into the game in the sixth inning and drew a walk in his only at-bat.

In the ninth inning, Furcal forced Ortiz out at second, taking the throw from Byrd in right field. It led to Broxton recording the first save for the National League since 1995.

Kuo has had an amazing season and deservedly made the All-Star game, but also was a late pick because injured Jason Heyward of the Braves could not attend the game. Kuo has shutdown left-handed batters all season long, retiring 30 in a row. Kuo’s opponents’ batting average is .122, and Kuo has only given up one run this season.

Kuo made his appearance in the fifth inning. The first batter he faced was Evan Longoria of the Tampa Bay Rays. After walking the right-handed Longoria, he faced Joe Mauer of the Minnesota Twins, who hit a slow dribbler down the third base line. Kuo picked it up and threw a wildly down the right field line resulting with runners on second and third.  Robinson Cano of the New York Yankees hit a sacrifice fly scoring Longoria, the only run of the game for the American League. Kuo was one of seven pitchers to give up a run without a hit in an All-Star game.

Each of the four Dodgers made valuable contributions in recording the first win for the National League in 14 years.

Dodger All-Star Appearances

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