Nolan, Blackmon All-Stars with DJ, Holland
PHOENIX -- Fan-elected starters Charlie Blackmon in center field and Nolan Arenado at third base and a club-record total of four players -- with closer Greg Holland and second baseman DJ LeMahieu chosen as reserves -- will represent the Rockies on the National League squad in the July 11 2017 All-Star Game presented by Mastercard.
The Rockies, who have been represented by three players on seven occasions, could end up sending five to Marlins Park in Miami this year. First baseman Mark Reynolds also could be going; he was one of five 2017 Esurance Final Vote candidates announced Sunday. Reynolds' Twitter campaign is under the #BeLikeMark hashtag.
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The starters and reserves were announced by MLB on Sunday. Rockies players saw the large contingent as affirmation of a strong start. Despite 10 losses in the last 11 games, the Rockies would be the second NL Wild Card if the postseason started now.
"We're playing well and getting some national exposure, if nothing else, so that means that our team's success is better than it has been in the past," Blackmon said.
Blackmon, who finished second in votes among outfielders (the top three are starters), also went as a rookie in 2014. This year, Blackmon is hitting .313 with 17 home runs and 58 RBIs -- a performance that earned him 4,163,666 votes.
"That's the hardest part about playing baseball, to figure out how to get better and make your adjustments and do what you need to do to overcome failure," Blackmon said.
Arenado, who benefited from a late voting surge at third base to overtake the Cubs' Kristopher Bryant, 2,658,643 votes to 2,478,184, will be making his third appearance. He went in 2015 and 2016, but it's his first start. Arenado won Rawlings Gold Glove Awards his first four seasons in the Majors -- the first NL third baseman to do so -- and has put up prolific numbers his whole career. The fan vote confirms his work is noticed.
"The last couple years I thought I'd get close but other third basemen have had good years," Arenado said. "To get voted in like that is unbelievable. I'm thankful for the fans, that they appreciate my game, because they don't get to see me play a lot."
The last time the Rockies had multiple starters was 2013, when outfielder Carlos Gonzalez and first baseman Troy Tulowitzki were voted by fans and outfielder Michael Cuddyer was an injury replacement in the starting lineup. Tulowitzki in 2014 was the last fan-voted starter before this year.
Holland will make his third appearance -- the previous two in the American League for the Royals in 2014 and 2015 -- and LeMahieu will be going for the second time. They were selected via a combination of player ballot choices and selections from the Commissioner's Office.
Holland is 26-for-27 on save chances, after having undergone Tommy John right elbow surgery in October 2015 and missing last season.
"My family supported me through my rehab process and a lot of people helped me to get healthy and stay healthy," Holland said. "It's very rewarding and very humbling and always a pleasure to be recognized."
LeMahieu won the NL batting title last year and is hitting .303 this season.
"I think I've played pretty well and I'm hoping to play a little bit better the second half, but the way our team's playing, I'm really excited," LeMahieu said.
Fans can cast ballots for the 2017 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote on MLB.com, Club sites and their mobile devices until 2 p.m. MT on Thursday. The winners, as chosen exclusively by online fan voting totals, will then be announced during "MLB Tonight" live on MLB Network and MLB.com at 4 p.m. Extensive coverage throughout the Final Vote will be provided by MLB Network and MLB.com, including interviews with the candidates, frequent updates, heat maps indicating where votes are being cast for each candidate, news on player and club campaigns, and a running countdown clock leading up to the announcement.
Now in its 16th season, with more than 680 million votes cast, the Final Vote again will include social votes on the last day of balloting, as Twitter support for the 10 candidates over the final six hours of balloting will count toward their vote totals. From 8 a.m.-2 p.m. MT on Thursday, any tweet that includes a designated player hashtag will be tabulated as part of the official vote total used to determine the winners.
On Tuesday, July 11, at 5:30 p.m. MT, tune in to the 2017 All-Star Game presented by Mastercard live on FOX, and during the game visit MLB.com to submit your choice for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet via the 2017 MLB All-Star Game MVP Vote. The 88th All-Star Game, in Miami, will be televised nationally by FOX, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 160 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB.com, MLB Network and SiriusXM will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.