For much of this decade, Texas Rangers starting in the All-Star Game was very much an afterthought.
Similarly, the team being in contention was also out of the equation to come this time of year for what feels like forever.
2023 is different, and Ranger fans and baseball fans alike showed this during this year’s All-Star Voting, where four Texas players were selected as starters for next Tuesday’s mid-summer classic in Seattle.
Amongst them is first-time all-star Jonah Heim, who recognized the fact that something special is brewing this year.
Heim said:
“I think we realized that we had something special after the first month of the season; when we went into Houston, and we took the series in Houston, we, I think, came together even more as a team, knowing that this division is up for grabs and if we just keep playing good Texas fundamental Rangers baseball we’re gonna be fine, going with these other three guys is super special, I think it just shows that people are noticing what we’re doing.”
The 2023 Texas Rangers will send six players to the All-Star Game, which is the most amongst any AL Club, and just the third time in Franchise History they have sent six representatives.
For Jonah Heim, this honor comes as a well deserving one. Through 76 games this year, the Rangers catcher slashes .278/.331/.473 with 12 home runs and 56 RBI.
The Buffalo, New York Native will be the first All-Star from Western New York since the Phillipelphia Phillies Dave Hollins played in the 1993 game.
For much of the voting, it looked like this moment would never happen as entering into phase two of the ballot, Heim trailed Baltimore Orioles star Adley Rutschman by more than 300,000 votes.
However, when the votes reset to zero in Phase Two of voting, Heim edged out Rutschman by 52%.
When asked about starting the game, Heim said:
“Well, the good news is I know when I’m gonna play, so that’s a plus; obviously, it’s a tremendous honor to represent this organization like this, especially with the other three guys, it’s gonna be a lot of fun, and I’m very excited.”
You can catch Jonah Heim and five of his teammates in the 2023 MLB All-Star game in Seattle next Tuesday Night at 7:00 CST on FOX.
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