Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
The revealing of the American and National League All-Star team rosters were announced last night. Two Philadelphia Phillies get the honor to represent the team, outfielder Domonic Brown and pitcher Cliff Lee. They both deserve the nod with the seasons they are having.
Many were concerned that Brown was not going to get the recognition that he deserved. At this point in the season he has an average of .279. With 87 games played, Brown has been able to have 90 hits with 22 of those being home runs. He is tied for sixth in all of Major League Baseball. He also has hit 60 RBI, which leads the Phillies and is 11th in the major leagues. Brown has been the player of the week two weeks in a row in May and was the NL player of the month. His numbers show that it is was an easy decision to make Brown an All-Star. Manager Charlie Manuel has made the right decision to play Brown in left field every day. It will be exciting to watch his All-Star debut.
Lee also deserves his All-Star nod. He has been the Phillies most reliable pitcher this season. He is the first starter to get to 10 wins which makes his record 10-2. With those 10 wins he is tied for sixth in all of the Major Leagues. His ERA is 2.73. At this point in the season he has 119 strikeouts. That puts him 10th in all of the Major Leagues. Every fifth day he gives the Phillies an opportunity to win. This is Lee’s fourth All-Star game, but will never get old as he is having another outstanding season.
The Phillies season has not been what everyone was hoping for. Watching Brown’s and Lee’s success has been one of the highlights of the season.
