Gordon, Holland, Perez enjoy All-Star repeat

CLEVELAND -- It's a repeat for the Royals' All-Star trio.

Left fielder Alex Gordon, closer Greg Holland and catcher Salvador Perez were named to the 2014 American League All-Star team on Sunday, the second straight year for each of them.

And this year, there's a big bonus. Perez will be the starting AL catcher for the Midsummer Classic on Tuesday, July 15, at Target Field in place of injured Orioles receiver Matt Wieters, who was voted in by the fans but is out because of Tommy John surgery.

This will make Perez the first Royals player to start an All-Star Game since outfielder Jermaine Dye at Atlanta in 2000.

"You know, it's nice to make an All-Star team," said Royals manager Ned Yost, "but to be a two-time All-Star -- that's special. And I think these guys all have the capability of being three- and four- and five-time All-Stars."

All three were voted to the team by their fellow players. Last year, they gave Kansas City its first All-Star trio since 1988.

"There are a lot of guys on the team that are well-deserving of being All-Stars," Gordon said. "Hopefully, we can get one more guy on there ... but it's good to have three. Once again, it shows that we're playing better."

Alex Gordon, LF
Prior ASGs: 2013
ASG W-L: 1-0
ASG stats: 0-for-1
How he made 2014 AL team: Player selection.
Why he's an All-Star: Gordon, with his stellar catches and strong throws, has won three straight Gold Glove Awards. After an uneven first four years, he's become a solid offensive threat for Kansas City for the last four seasons.
DYK?: One of four baseball-playing boys, Alex and brothers Eric, Brett and Derek grew up in Lincoln, Neb., as Royals fans. And, yes, brother Brett is named for George Brett. Youngest brother Derek now pitches for the independent T-Bones in Kansas City.
Quotable: "When you're voted on by the players, it really means a lot." Gordon said, adding: "There are a lot of great outfielders this year, especially in the American League. Just to be included with them is special and a great honor."

Greg Holland, CL
Prior ASGs: 2013
ASG W-L: 1-0
ASG stats: one-third of an inning, one hit, no runs
How he made 2014 AL team: Player selection.
Why he's an All-Star: Holland has become one of the most proficient closers in the Majors; only Craig Kimbrel has more saves since 2013. He's a hard thrower with great stuff who overcame early-career command issues.
DYK?: A shortstop and third baseman at McDowell High in Marion, N.C., Holland was a walk-on at Western Carolina University, and when he started pitching, his fastball was only in the mid-80s. Now, he can reach the high 90s.
Quotable: "Anytime you can pitch well enough to earn a spot in the All-Star Game, it's special, whether it's the first time or the 10th," Holland said. "But to me, it says a lot about our team. I've had a lot of opportunities with leads late in games the last several years."

Salvador Perez, C
Prior ASGs: 2013
ASG W-L: 1-0
ASG stats: 1-for-1, single, 1 run
How he made 2014 AL team: Player selection.
Why he's an All-Star: Big and strong, yet nimble and quick, Perez might be the best young catcher to come along in years. He's hit close to .300 with power since arriving in late 2011.
DYK?: In his first big league game at Tampa Bay on Aug. 10, 2011, Perez picked off two runners, caught five popups and got his first hit, first run and first RBI.
Quotable: "Holly and Alex both, I feel so happy to be going with those two guys again," Perez said. "We play hard and we deserve it for that. We'll just keep doing what we're doing and finish the season strong."

Immediately following the announcement of the AL 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 3 p.m. CT.

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.