Pence, Bumgarner named to NL All-Star squad

SAN DIEGO -- Madison Bumgarner might not play in the All-Star Game. Hunter Pence doesn't care whether he appears in it.

The pair of Giants are members of the 2014 National League All-Star team, and that's rewarding enough for them. They'll join their fellow National Leaguers against the American League All-Stars on July 15 at Minnesota's Target Field.

Pence became a three-time All-Star while Bumgarner was honored for the second time. The San Francisco duo learned of their latest All-Star distinction when the teams were announced Sunday.

"I'm tremendously grateful," said Pence, 31. "I feel very fortunate to have this opportunity."

Said Bumgarner, 24, "To have your name mentioned with the rest of the guys is very humbling and I'm thankful for the opportunity."

Pence is currently on an 11-game hitting streak, his third double-digit stretch of the season, that has lifted his batting average to .301. He ranks among NL leaders in runs, hits and multiple-hit games. Pence's streak of 310 consecutive games played became the longest in the Majors on Sunday, when Kansas City's Billy Butler received a break after appearing in 347 straight games.

Bumgarner ranks among league leaders in wins, strikeouts and innings. He was selected for last year's squad but didn't pitch. And he might not appear in this year's All-Star Game, either, since he's tentatively scheduled to start for the Giants against Arizona on July 13. Any starting pitcher chosen for the All-Star team who makes a start on the Sunday immediately preceding the All-Star Game can decide whether to participate in the All-Star Game. Typically, these pitchers decline to throw a single All-Star pitch to avoid risking injury.

"Any chance I get to help us out here obviously takes precedence over anything else," Bumgarner said.

The Giants' fondest hope is for Tim Hudson to replace Bumgarner on the "active" roster. Hudson, a three-time All-Star, was noncommital about the idea.

"Right now I'm planning on going fishing," Hudson said of his plans for the All-Star break.

HUNTER PENCE, RF
Prior ASGs: 2009, 2011
ASG W-L: 1-1
ASG Stats: 1-for-2, 1 run
How he made 2014 NL team: Player selection
Why He's an All-Star: His hustle and intense attitude are no act. They not only complement his statistics but also have made the Giants winners.
DYK?: Pence rides a scooter to AT&T Park. It was stolen earlier this season, but then quickly returned after San Francisco-area media reported Pence's dejection about the theft.
Quotable: "It's such a tremendous reward," Pence said. "I love the game so much. ... It's special. I wish I had better words to describe it."

MADISON BUMGARNER, LHP
Prior ASG: 2013
ASG W-L: 0-1
ASG Stats: None (did not play)
How he made 2014 NL team: Player selection
Why He's an All-Star: Consistency has been Bumgarner's hallmark. Also, he pitches with a controlled fury that subdues opponents.
DYK?: San Francisco's Opening Day starter this year, Bumgarner has matured into a legitimate team leader despite his youth.
Quotable: "He has emerged as one of the better left-handers in the game," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said.

Congrats to my buddies #MadBum and @hunterpence !!! #ASG14

- Double M's (@Mcode38) July 7, 2014

Immediately following the announcement of the American League and National League All-Star rosters on Sunday, fans began voting to select the final player for each league's 34-man roster via the 2014 All-Star Game MLB.com Final Vote Sponsored by Experian. Fans can cast their votes from a list of five players from each league until the winners are announced after the voting concludes on Thursday at 1 p.m. PT.

The final phase of All-Star Game voting will again have fans help choose the Ted Williams All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet. During the Midsummer Classic, fans will vote exclusively online at MLB.com and via Twitter in the 2014 All-Star Game MLB.com MVP Vote Sponsored by Pepsi, and their collective voice will represent 20 percent of the overall vote that determines the recipient of the Arch Ward Trophy.

MLB.TV Premium subscribers, for the first time, will be able to live stream the All-Star Game via MLB.TV through FOX's participating video providers. Access will be available across more than 400 platforms that support MLB.TV, including the award-winning MLB.com At Bat app. MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage of the All-Star Week festivities.

The 85th All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 200 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network and SiriusXM will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.