street. Lewis – He won’t have as much company as he did last year, but Gerrit Cole is back in the All-Star Game.
For the sixth time in his career, Cole was named a Sunday All-Star, part of the American League roster announced at the July 11 Midsummer Classic in Seattle.
The Yankees could have a case for starting this year’s game for the first time, though that decision won’t be announced until next Monday by AL manager Dusty Baker.
“One of these days, I’d really like to start it,” Cole said Sunday, after giving up two runs across six innings in the 5-1 loss to the Cardinals at Busch Stadium. “I have to check it out once. But I’m not sure how that will play out over the next week. I know there are a lot of deserving men out there.”
“especially [Nathan Eovaldi] The lights have been out for Texas this year and are probably worth a closer look. We all love to watch Shuhei [Ohtani] play, so having him drop the ball and hit first or second is probably how things might shake up. But hey, you know what? If I don’t like it, I have to make a little better offer I guess.”
Barring injury replacements, Cole and Aaron Judge will be the Yankees’ lone superstars this season.
Judge, who was voted a starter, will not play in the game as he continues his rehabilitation for a sprained right toe, though he said Sunday he had not yet decided whether to attend the All-Star festivities.
“The closer we get, the more we will make a decision,” the judge said. “It is an incredible honor. I wish I was still playing now and not on the injured list when this came out. But don’t take a moment like this for granted.”
Cole returned to his fifth straight All-Star Game — not including 2020, when no games took place due to the shortened COVID season — as he finished Sunday with a 2.79 ERA and 118 strikeouts in 108 ⁄ innings.
He’s in the midst of his best season in the Bronx after signing a nine-year, $324 million contract ahead of the 2020 season.
“I am so humbled,” Cole said. “I always think it’s special as a grammarian because you were voted on by your peers. So, it’s a great honor from people across the league who voted for me. At the same time, I don’t deserve all the credit. … I’m thrilled, I’m excited. I love representing the Yankees and everything we’re about. So I’m looking forward to that.”
Last season, Cole was one of five Yankees All-Stars, joining Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Jose Trevino and Clay Holmes in Los Angeles.
Holmes could guarantee consideration if an injury substitution was needed while Boone also campaigned for Gleyber Torres.
Meanwhile, Boone asks Cole and Judge not to take another All-Star appearance for granted.
“It’s an amazing achievement and an important achievement,” Boone said. “I am proud of them. Gerrit is clearly in the midst of another great season.”
