Padres' Cabrera eyes return trip to All-Star Game
Shortstop, who didn't play in '13 Midsummer Classic, one of eight Friars on ballot
The Padres haven't had a repeat All-Star since reliever Heath Bell made the National League team in 2010 and '11.
Can shortstop Everth Cabrera pull off this feat this season?
Cabrera is one of eight Padres on the NL All-Star ballot for the Midsummer Classic on July 15 at Target Field in Minneapolis.
Cabrera, who was named to the 2013 NL All-Star team as a reserve, but didn't play in the game, is off to another fast start for the Padres.
Entering play Wednesday, Cabrera had 25 hits in the Friars' first 20 games, with eight extra-base hits and two stolen bases. He also leads the team with a .305 batting average.
A year ago, Cabrera parlayed a fast start -- he hit .291 in the first half with a .373 on-base percentage -- into his first All-Star nod.
"Last year sort of put him on the map as far as recognition," Padres manager Bud Black said. "He's off to a nice start this year. I think it takes time for most players to get national recognition. I think he's started to get that."
Other Padres on the ballot are catcher Yasmani Grandal, first baseman Yonder Alonso, second baseman Jedd Gyorko, third baseman Chase Headley and outfielders Carlos Quentin, Chris Denorfia and Will Venable.
Fan voting at Petco Park will begin on May 4 and continue through June 20.
Fans can cast their votes for starters at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- online or on a mobile device -- using the 2014 All-Star Game MLB.com Ballot Sponsored by Experian until Thursday, July 3, at 8:59 p.m. PT. The 2014 All-Star Game will be played at Target Field on Tuesday, July 15.
Fans may submit up to 25 online ballots, but they can also earn a one-time bonus of 10 additional online ballots. To access these additional online ballots, you must be logged into your MLB.com account when you submit any online ballot. If you do not have an MLB.com account, register on the site in accordance with the enrollment instructions for a free MLB.com account.
Fans this year once again can participate in the Home Run Derby Fan Poll. Fans will have the opportunity to select three players in each league who they would most like to see participate in the Home Run Derby. The 2014 Home Run Derby will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN HD, ESPN Deportes and ESPN Radio in the United States beginning at 5 p.m. PT on Monday, July 14.
The 2014 American League and NL All-Star teams will be unveiled on the 2014 MLB All-Star Game Selection Show during the weekend of July 5-6, with further details to follow on MLB.com. Immediately following the announcement of the AL and NL All-Star rosters, fans can begin 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 will cast their votes from a list of five players from each league over the balloting period.
And the voting doesn't end there. The final phase of All-Star Game voting will again have fans participating in the voting for 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 via the 2014 All-Star Game MLB.com MVP Vote Sponsored by Pepsi, and their voice will represent 20 percent of the overall vote that determines the recipient of the Arch Ward Trophy.
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.