Hale, Goldy happy for Pollock's All-Star berth

ARLINGTON -- D-backs outfielder A.J. Pollock got the good news in a phone call from manager Chip Hale on Monday afternoon that he had been selected to the National League All-Star team through the player vote.

"He was elected by the players, which I think is really cool, because his peers are realizing what a great player he is and how important he is to us," Hale said. "It was really neat. I called him yesterday and let him know. He was with his wife at the hotel, so they got to find out together. It's just a special time. When you're peers vote you in, you realize that you've kind of come of age."

This will be Pollock's first All-Star Game presented by T-Mobile, and he will have a familiar face going with him in teammate Paul Goldschmidt, who was elected to start at first base by the fans.

Goldschmidt and Pollock both played in a 2011 Double-A All-Star Game.

"I was very excited for him, definitely very deserving," Goldschmidt said. "He's been doing a great job for us. It will make the experience hopefully even more fun, for me to get to share it with him. I probably wouldn't be in the All-Star Game if he wasn't having the year he is."