Reds pitcher Andrew Abbott talks about MLB All-Star selection
Cincinnati Reds lefty Andrew Abbott learned of his MLB All-Star selection in the first inning Tuesday and immediately texted his parents at the game.
From snub to super sub?
The Cincinnati Reds will have at least two MLB All-Stars for next week’s midsummer classic Atlanta after left-hander Andrew Abbott was selected to the National League roster as an replacement Tuesday night, joining teammate Elly De La Cruz.
He replaces Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who is ineligible to pitch in Tuesday’s All-Star game because he’s scheduled to pitch Sunday for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“It means the world,” said Abbott, who earned his first career selection. “You grow up and want to be an MLB baseball player. To get the recognition of being an All-Star, I can’t put it into words. I’m just excited to represent (family), represent Cincinnati at the game and go have some fun.”
Manager Terry Francona said he was informed of Abbott’s selection just as Matt McLain hit a first-inning home run against the Marlins.
When McLain returned to the dugout Francona gruffly called players into a circle the dugout.
“I didn’t know what was going on,” McLain said. “I thought I did something wrong.”
Abbott said he wondered the same thing.
“Then he was, like, ‘I’ll tell you guys one thing’ − with some choice language in there as well,” Abbott said. “But he was, like, ‘Andrew Abbott’s an All-Star.’
“Then it just erupted. Got showered in ice, bubble gum, everything that guys could get their hand on. It was fantastic. Being around the guys, it felt like I was in Triple-A getting called up to the big leagues.”
Abbott, who debuted two years ago last month, is 7-1 with a 2.15 ERA in 15 starts this season.
“Honestly, I’m shocked wasn’t selected earlier,” teammate Nick Martinez said.
Abbott and teammates held out hope after Sunday’s initial roster announcements that he might yet find an avenue to Atlanta. He was one of two National League replacements announced Tuesday (also San Diego reliever Robert Suarez for injured Atlanta pitcher Chris Sale).
“I didn’t really understand the process or anything that went into it, so I didn’t know what to fully expect,” Abbott said. “So I didn’t focus on it fully.
“I thought I deserved it the first go-round. But there’s a lot of other deserving guys. So I get it,” he said. “You just had to wait till your name’s called. It’s kind of like draft day. You just kind of sit there and twiddle your thumbs until your name’s on the board.”
Abbott’s parents were at Tuesday night’s game against the Marlins when the news broke, and he stepped out of the dugout to text them.
“It meant the world to send them that message,” he said.
Abbott said he wasn’t sure how many friends and family will be going to Atlanta, but since most of them are in and around Virginia, just up the highway, getting there shouldn’t be an issue.
Abbott has been a key to the Reds maintaining sea level so far this season as they search for some semblance of a run to put them in playoff contention.
The team is 11-4 in his starts (35-42 when he doesn’t start). He’s 4-0 after a Reds loss this season.
The Reds are 11-4 in his starts (35-40 when he doesn’t start). He’s 4-0 after a Reds loss this season.
That value has been especially conspicuous in the prolonged absence of Opening Day starter Hunter Greene, who just experienced a setback with balky groin injury he first suffered in early May.
“Abbott deserves it more than anyone,” McLain said, “and I’m really happy for him – and we’re all happy for him.”
It’s the second year in a row the Reds nabbed a second All-Star bid after rosters were initially announced, with Greene earning a career-first selection last season as an injury replacement for Tyler Glasgow.