Aroldis earns fourth straight All-Star selection
WASHINGTON -- It's usually an electric experience at Great American Ball Park when the bullpen door opens and closer Aroldis Chapman emerges to finish a game and throw 100 mph, and harder.
Fans attending the All-Star Game presented by T-Mobile in Cincinnati next week will have the opportunity to enjoy that experience. On Monday, Chapman was named as a member of the National League team after he was elected on the players' ballot.
"It's going to be a lot better," Chapman said via translator Tomas Vera. "Even during the regular season, when the door opens and the fans go crazy, it's something special for me. This time, I will be really, really happy. I feel happy, I feel proud to be a part of the Reds."
:: All-Star Game on Fox: July 14, 7 ET air time | 8:15 game time ::
Chapman will join teammate Todd Frazier, who was elected on Sunday to be the NL starting third baseman. The Reds could have a third All-Star representative as Johnny Cueto was named a 2015 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote candidate.
This is Chapman's fourth consecutive All-Star selection -- each time has been by his peers in the big leagues.
"I'm really happy, of course, being the fourth time. But this is more special. It's in my house," Chapman said. "I wanted to be there. I was looking forward. I'm happy I'm going to Cincinnati, with the All-Star Game being there. That's what I really want."
Video: CIN@WSH: Chapman discusses being named All-Star
Entering Monday, Chapman was 3-3 with a 1.78 ERA in 36 games with 16 saves in 17 opportunities. In his 35 1/3 innings, he has 19 walks and 61 strikeouts -- striking out at least two batters in 23 games and the side eight times.
Reds manager Bryan Price, who will be a coach on NL manager Bruce Bochy's staff, was pleased that Chapman was named to the team.
Video: CIN@WSH: Chapman induces groundout to notch the save
"He hasn't had as many opportunities to close as I'd like. As far as deserving the chance to represent the Reds and help the National League win the game, I think it's a great addition," Price said. "He's had a terrific year. Certainly the strikeout numbers are, as always, very high. He's the type of guy that's not only effective, but he's one of those guys, I think, that people spend the money to go see pitch. I'm hoping he gets a chance to pitch in the game and do something special for the fans that don't get a chance to see us on a regular basis.
"I do for sure feel that, without a doubt, Frazier and Chapman are guys that really had to make the team, simply because their performance has been so dominating."
Video: Chapman, Frazier are hometown Reds in All-Star Game
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 4 p.m. ET on Friday.
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 4 p.m. ET on Friday.
And the voting doesn't end there. During the All-Star Game presented by T-Mobile 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 8 p.m. ET.
The 86th Midsummer Classic will be televised nationally by FOX Sports (coverage begins 7 p.m. ET), 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.