#ASGWorthy: Posey takes Kershaw deep in Giants win
It isn't every day that a former Most Valuable Player Award winner gets to face off against a three-time Cy Young Award winner and reigning MVP. And when Giants catcher Buster Posey squared off against Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw on Tuesday night, the 28-year-old backstop provided two emphatic examples of why he's #ASGWorthy.
First, Posey drove in San Francisco's first run against Los Angeles with an RBI single in the first inning, and then he drove in the next one with a solo home run to left-center in the fourth.
On the homer, Posey crushed a first-pitch fastball from Kershaw over the wall to give the Giants a 2-0 lead, and the Dodgers would never catch up. Posey, as has often been the case over the course of his career, was the ultimate difference-maker.
"His mental toughness, along with great talent, that's what makes Buster who he is," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said after the game. "He's a very humble guy who doesn't show a lot of emotion. But he's as competitive as anybody I've had."
Posey is now in his sixth full season, and he is one of the most decorated players in the game. In addition to the three World Series rings he has won with the Giants, Posey won the National League Rookie of the Year Award in 2010, the NL MVP Award in 2012, and he has twice won a Silver Slugger Award.
Posey was an All-Star in 2012 and '13, starting behind the plate for the NL in '12. The Senior Circuit won those two games by a combined margin of 11-0. Of course, Posey still doesn't have a hit in the Midsummer Classic, but you can help change that by casting a vote for him this year, with the All-Star voting opening today.
Fans can cast their votes for starters at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- on their computers, tablets and smartphones -- using the 2015 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot until Thursday, July 2, at 11:59 p.m. ET. For the first time, voting is exclusively online, where fans may submit up to 35 ballots.
Fans may also receive the ballot by texting VOTE to 89269 (USA) or 101010 (Canada). Or text VOTA for a ballot in Spanish. Message and data rates may apply. Up to five messages. No purchase required. Reply STOP to cancel. Reply HELP for info.
Following the announcement of the 2015 All-Stars, be sure to return to MLB.com and cast your 2015 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote for the final player for each league's All-Star roster. On Tuesday, July 14, watch the 2015 All-Star Game 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 2015 MLB All-Star Game MVP Vote.
MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage of All-Star Week festivities.
The 86th 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.