Although five Los Angeles Dodgers advanced to Phase 2 of fan voting for the 2021 MLB All-Star Game, it wasn’t until reserves were announced that the team had representative earn a spot on the National League roster.
Like Dodgers manager Dave Roberts hoped would be the case, that group included Chris Taylor. He was accompanied by Mookie Betts and Max Muncy in being named an All-Star reserve. The Dodgers oddly did not have a pitcher name to the All-Star Game, and Will Smith and Justin Turner were snubbed as well.
Nevertheless it’s an exciting accomplishment for Taylor, as it’s the first time in his career getting to be part of an All-Star Game. “It’s awesome. I’m extremely humbled,” he said of the selection.
“I’m excited to go there and play alongside so many great players. It’s a dream come true. I’m really looking forward to playing in front of my family. I’m just going to try to soak it all in and enjoy it.”
Taylor had previously downplayed having any surprise with being in the thick of All-Star Game voting, and called reaching the exhibition one of his career goals.
Roberts has regularly praised the super utility player over the years and in particular this season. Though, Roberts also harbored some disappointment the Dodgers only had three players named All-Stars.
“I’m still hopeful that as things play out in the wash that some other guys will be named,” he said.
Taylor finding mechanics
In his first game since being named an All-Star, Taylor went 2-for-4 with an RBI double and walk, albeit in a loss that snapped the Dodgers’ nine-game winning streak.
“Mechanically, I’m in a pretty good place right now. I kind of dug through some of my swings from a few months ago and worked on some stuff in the cage before the game,” he said. “I feel like I got in a pretty good spot.
“I felt like my swing was in a good place before the game and it just carried over.”
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