CINCINNATI -- Two of the Cincinnati Reds’ brightest young stars -- right-handed pitcher Chase Burns and infielder Sal Stewart -- were named to the National League roster for the 96th All-Star Game via the Player Ballot.
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The mild-mannered Burns and the affable Stewart were told by manager Terry Francona prior to Saturday’s game against the Orioles about the honor. Burns might have anticipated he would receive a nod, but Stewart was left stunned.
“I'm just a young man trying to do my best, you know,” Stewart said. “I'm confident in myself, but I mean, this ... I would watch the All-Star Game with my dad every year. I watched this growing up my whole life. I watched all my favorite players. I'm obviously shocked because, I mean, I just didn't expect this, honestly.”
The 22-year-old Stewart’s first phone call was to his father, Salvatore.
“He started crying,” said Stewart, the Reds’ team leader with 17 home runs. “You know how emotional he gets.”
Only Hall of Famer Frank Robinson hit more home runs as a Reds rookie prior to the All-Star break. Robinson had 18 in 1956. Stewart is the third Reds rookie since 1920 to have multiple months with at least 20 RBIs (26 in April, 22 in June), joining Jim Greengrass in 1953 and Tony Cuccinello in 1930.
Stewart is only the sixth Reds rookie with 20 homers through his first 100 Major League games, but said he has not been asked to participate in the Home Run Derby.
He was happy to hear that Burns, one of his closest friends on the team, will be joining him at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
“He's not too shabby, man,” Stewart said. “He's one of my best friends. He's honestly the best, and he's earned that. He deserves it. We get to enjoy it together.”
Burns’ first half certainly hasn’t been too shabby. He’s 10-1 with a 2.40 ERA in 17 starts.
Burns earned his 10th win of the season in Thursday’s 7-2 victory over the first-place Brewers, allowing two earned runs in six innings. He’s now the seventh pitcher in club history with 10 or more wins and 100 or more strikeouts (116) before the All-Star break, and the first since Johnny Cueto in 2014. Burns’ 15 starts with two two runs or fewer allowed lead MLB.
“Yeah, it's everything that I've dreamed of,” Burns said. “A lot of hard work this offseason. Definitely watched a lot (of All-Star Games) growing up. There will be a bunch of future Hall of Famers in that game. Lots of emotions. It's kind of scary. I’ll face three really good guys, hopefully, but yeah, just try to get out of that inning and take in that moment and be thankful.”
Burns, 23, is 9-0 with a 2.39 ERA over his last 13 starts. The Reds are 13-4 this season when he pitches.
Both players are looking forward to being part of the All-Star festivities and having the opportunity to meet and interact with the other All-Stars. When asked who he’d like to meet, Stewart again was at a loss for words.
“I haven't thought that far ahead, honestly,” he said. “I don't even know who's in yet. I don't know anything. I was just shocked by it.”
Chase Burns, SP
Previous All-Star appearance: None
Something to know: Became the fourth Reds pitcher since earned runs became an official stat in 1913 to have at least 40 K’s, 10 earned runs or fewer and under 10 walks in a calendar month. His 40/10/9 month of June was first since Trevor Bauer in September 2020.
Sal Stewart, 1B/3B
Previous All-Star appearances: None
Something to know: Is the Reds’ team leader in home runs and RBIs and is tied for fifth in the NL in RBIs.