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Fielder earns sixth All-Star selection

Slugger to represent Rangers as American League's reserve DH on July 14

ARLINGTON -- Prince Fielder will represent the Rangers at the 86th All-Star Game presented by T-Mobile on July 14 in Cincinnati after winning the players' vote at designated hitter. Fielder, as of now, is the only Rangers player going as pitcher Yovani Gallardo was not selected.

This is the sixth All-Star selection for Fielder, who missed most of last season because of surgery to repair a herniated disc in his neck. He was the 2011 All-Star Game Most Valuable Player in Arizona and won the Gillette Home Run Derby in both '09 and '12.

"I definitely appreciate it, this means a lot," Fielder said. "My peers and the players like the way I play. I try to play hard, so hopefully I can keep it up and help my team win."

:: All-Star Game on Fox: July 14, 7 ET air time | 8:15 game time ::

This will be the first time since 2007 that the Rangers have only had one player selected to the All-Star team.

"It's an honor to play in the All-Star Game," Fielder said. "There are a lot of great players there. It's fun to go to."

As of Monday, Fielder was second in the American League with a .347 batting average and leads the league in hits. He also had 13 home runs, 50 RBIs and a .530 slugging percentage.

"Offensively Prince has been as good as anybody in the league," manager Jeff Banister said. "He has been a hitter that slugs and a slugger that hits. It is a statement of who he is as a guy and as a player. There were a lot of questions and I think he has answered those questions. He has put to rest a lot of the concerns.

"I enjoy watching the guy play. I enjoy all our guys but I enjoy watching Prince every day, the energy level, the excitement, the intensity. You can't say enough about the energy he brings. He is a complete joy to watch. His body of work speaks for itself, especially the comeback."

Fielder could be a candidate for the Gillette Home Run Derby presented by Head & Shoulders. He said he would be willing to participate if asked.

"I like the Derby, it is fun," Fielder said.

Voting is open now at MLB.com to select the final player for each League's 34-man roster via the 2015 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote. Fans can cast their votes from a list of five players from each League until 3 p.m. CT on Friday.

And the voting doesn't end there. During the Midsummer Classic in Cincinnati on Tuesday, July 14, fans can once again visit MLB.com to submit their choice for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet. Voting exclusively at MLB.com, online and via their mobile devices in the 2015 All-Star Game MVP Vote presented by Chevrolet, the fans' collective voice will represent 20 percent of the overall vote that determines the recipient of the Arch Ward Trophy.

MLB.TV Premium subscribers 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 supported MLB.TV platforms, including the award-winning MLB.com At Bat app. MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage of the All-Star Week festivities, including the 2015 Gillette Home Run Derby presented by Head & Shoulders, part of Gatorade All-Star Workout Day on Monday, July 13. The Derby will feature a new format with brackets and timed rounds and will be broadcast live by ESPN and MLB.com beginning at 7 p.m. CT.

The 86th All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports (6 p.m. CT air time, 7:15 first pitch), in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 160 countries. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide exclusive 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.

T.R. Sullivan is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Postcards from Elysian Fields, follow him on Twitter @Sullivan_Ranger and listen to his podcast.
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