(670 The Score) For the first time in his career, Cubs outfielder Ian Happ has earned All-Star honors.
Happ learned of his selection to the National League All-Star team on Sunday, and it's an honor he's cherishing with those in his life.
"It's quite an honor," Happ said on the Bernstein & Holmes Show on Monday. "Very humbling. Being able to share it with a lot of people, people close to me, a lot of people that participated along the way in this journey – coaches, friends, family – really cool.
"I'm trying to take it all in. You're in the mix of a 162-game season and we came off a tough series in L.A., you're trying to enjoy the little things and this honor. I'm sure it will kind of kick in the next week. Once I get out to L.A., try to take in every single moment."
Happ, 27, is hitting .276 with eight home runs and 40 RBIs this season. Part of his success in 2022 can be traced to dropping his strikeout rate, which has helped his batting average pace at what would be a career-best mark. Happ will join Cubs catcher Willson Contreras at the All-Star Game along with former teammates like Kyle Schwarber (Phillies) and Joc Pederson (Giants).
Happ explained that part of what made his selection to the All-Star Game special was receiving messages of congratulations from people who have been a key part of his baseball journey.
"It was just really cool," Happ said. "Like, hitting coaches that I've had in the past. Other coaches in the big leagues from the last few years. Really cool. High school coaches, people that have helped along the way, Theo (Epstein), Jed (Hoyer), all of that. So many people go into a career.
"Really cool to get messages from a lot of people that really helped along the way."
The MLB All-Star Game will be held at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on July 19.
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