DENVER (KMOX) - Although the St. Louis Cardinals had three players named to the 2021 All-Star Game, you'll only see two of them on Tuesday night. Catcher Yadier Molina, who was named a replacement, has decided to stay home.
Molina, who will turn 39 on the day of the midsummer classic, decided to rest and not participate in the All-Star Game.
“I want to take those four days and rest and try to do it for the team also, because they’re going to need me. I think that was the smart decision," Molina says. "I’d love to go there and be part of it on my birthday and do something good, something good for everyone to remember. But like I said, it’s something that I need to do as far as to be healthy to come back stronger for the second half."
Third baseman Nolan Arenado and closer Alex Reyes are the other Cardinals you'll see Tuesday. Arenado has been named the No. 3 hitter to star the game, by NL All-Star manager Dave Roberts of the Dodgers.
And in another St. Louis connection, Nationals ace Max Scherzer will start the game for the NL. The St. Louis-born, Mizzou-made pitcher will be starting an All-Star Game for the fourth time in his career (2013 for AL, and 2017 and 2018 for NL).
Only five other pitchers have started at least four All-Star Games and they're all in the Hall of Fame now: Don Drysdale, Lefty Gomez and Robin Roberts each have five, and Jim Palmer and Randy Johnson have four.
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Shohei Ohtani named starting pitcher, leadoff hitter for AL
Kevin Cash and the American League All-Star team hope that Shohei Ohtani doesn't use up too much energy in the Home Run Derby Monday evening, because he's slated to be front and center in Tuesday's All-Star Game.
Ohtani will lead off for the American League in the midsummer classic, and also serve as the team's starting pitcher.
"I'm really excited to play along with all the American League guys that I face during the season," Ohtani said through his translator Monday. "I'm also excited to face the National League players that I don't get a chance to face during the season. This is my first experience [in the All-Star Game], so I'm really excited."
Currently the favorite to win the American League MVP Award, Ohtani had a special first half as a two-way star for the Los Angeles Angels. The 27-year-old leads baseball with 33 home runs, and also has a 3.49 ERA in 13 starts for Joe Maddon.
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