CLEVELAND — Cleveland Indians first baseman Carlos Santana did not make an All-Star team in any of his first nine years in Major League Baseball, but tonight, in his home park, in front of his hometown fans, he will start for the American League.
Santana won the Starter’s Election over Luke Voit (New York Yankees) and C.J. Cron (Minnesota Twins), and those who know him best are happy to see him play in the 90th MLB All-Star Game at Progressive Field.
“It’s going to be great,” former Indians outfielder Michael Brantley said during MLB All-Star Game Media Day in Cleveland Monday.
“I’ve been watching their season from afar. He’s having a great season. I know he was very happy to get back to Cleveland and come here and play again. We talked about it this offseason. I’m happy for him and his family and he’s having a phenomenal year.”
A slow starter in the early part of seasons throughout his career, Santana earned his way to the All-Star starting lineup because of a strong first half performance in his first year back with the Indians.
Through 87 games this season, Santana is hitting .297 with a .418/.540/.958 split of on-base, slugging and on-base-plus-slugging percentages. Santana has driven in 52 runs, scored 60 and registered 37 extra-base hits, including 17 doubles and 19 home runs, both of which lead the team.
Those statistics put Santana among the American League leaders at his position.
Along with the doubles and home runs, Santana leads the Indians in RBI, runs scored, hits (93) and walks (64), as well as on-base, slugging and on-base-plus-slugging percentages.
“He’s done it all,” Indians pitcher Shane Bieber said during American League media availability Monday.
“He’s been one of the most consistent hitters I’ve ever seen, especially for the first half. He started off hot and stayed hot. He’s kind of been our guy, our rock in that middle of the lineup, producing even when we weren’t playing as well as we did the past month.
“It’s meant a lot, and it’s awesome to see him get the recognition he deserves.”
Like Santana, Bieber will make his MLB All-Star Game debut tonight, and he is very much looking forward to sharing the experience with Santana, as well as veteran All-Star teammates: shortstop Francisco Lindor and closer Brad Hand.
“Especially being here in Cleveland, it means the world to have our first one in Cleveland, me and Carlos, and then, also Brad and Frankie just to be here and represent,” Bieber said.
“They’re a little bit more seasoned veterans with the All-Star festivities, so I’m kind of leaning on them for some advice and what they’ve told me is to kind of enjoy it, especially because we’re in our hometown city. It’s a little bit easier to enjoy.”
