Of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ six All-Star Game selections, Andy Pages and Justin Wrobleski stood out for being first-time participants.
Pages was among the National League outfielders voted in by fans, while Wrobleski joined the team’s pitching staff as a replacement for the Cincinnati Reds’ Chase Burns. It was a well-deserved honor for both players, who are in the midst of career years.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who led the NL team for the second consecutive year, encouraged Pages and Wrobleski to soak in the All-Star Game experience.
“I think the number one thing is they earned it,” Roberts answered when asked if he had any advice for Pages and Wrobleski. “I wanted to let them know that, to take it all in, to enjoy this moment. So much of our lives is about results and performing, and when you do perform and you get rewarded, you got to take time to appreciate it.
“If you don’t, you’re going to drive yourself mad. That was kind of the message.”
Pages previously shared that he wanted to enjoy his first All-Star Game, while Wrobleski was grateful for the opportunity to participate.
How Andy Pages and Justin Wrobleski did in ASG
Pages started in center field and went 0-for-2 prior to being removed in the sixth inning. Although he went hitless, the 25-year-old got to show off his defensive range by tracking down a fly ball in the gap to rob former teammate Miguel Vargas.
Meanwhile, Wrobleski gave up just one run and collected five strikeouts over two innings of work. He joined Don Drysdale (1959) and Fernando Valenzuela (1986) as the only Dodgers pitchers with five strikeouts in a single All-Star Game appearance.
“Great for them,” Roberts began. “Andy got two at-bats, made a nice play in center field off his fellow countryman, Miguel Vargas. And then Wrobo went two innings, which was great. He was the last starter, I think, named, and he went two innings. That was very helpful”
As for the other Dodgers All-Stars, Freddie Freeman (first base) and Max Muncy (third base) each started for the NL. Shohei Ohtani was originally slated to do so as well, but didn’t make the trip to Philadelphia due to having his left knee drained as a result of continued irritation. Yoshinobu Yamamoto did not pitch, but still took in the festivities.
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