McGriff named to All-Star team

Rays' representative has been All-Star four times, last in 1996 with the Braves.

By JOHN ROMANO

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 6, 2000

ST. PETERSBURG -- The career has been long and productive. The 400th home run and 2,000th hit this season were proof. The career is also far from being over. The All-Star invitation Wednesday was a reminder.

Fred McGriff was chosen as Tampa Bay's representative on the American League All-Star team by Yankees manager Joe Torre. It is the fifth All-Star appearance for McGriff and his first since 1996 when he was with the Braves.

"It's always special to make the All-Star team," McGriff said. "The 400 home runs and 2,000 hits just add to this year from an individual standpoint."

McGriff, 36, is not prone to overstatement or excessive emotion. He said the honor was no more special this year even though it comes in the latter part of his career and might be among his last moments on the national stage.

Teammate Roberto Hernandez, who was on the All-Star team last season and was around when McGriff suffered through a career-worst season with the Rays in 1998, said McGriff is enjoying the moment more than he lets on.

"Fred is not the type to be very vocal or emotional, but you know this has got to be special for him," Hernandez said. "You've got to remember, this guy was washed up two years ago. He heard all of that talk and he came back and put up the numbers last year and again this year. He's been in the lineup for us every day and has driven in a lot of runs. I don't know how bad it might have been if he wasn't here."

McGriff's numbers were worthy of All-Star consideration, but he also benefitted from a league rule that requires every team to have at least one representative at the game.

With a .272 average, 15 home runs and 58 RBI, McGriff's numbers are not as impressive as those of Chicago's Frank Thomas, who was left off the team. Thomas is hitting .340 with 25 home runs and 72 RBI. Anaheim's Mo Vaughn (.297, 21, 62) and Texas' Rafael Palmeiro (.289, 21, 61) were also bypassed.

McGriff was not apologizing for his spot on the team.

"I've had some great years in the past and things didn't work out for me (on the All-Star team)," McGriff said.

Although it is his fifth trip to the All-Star Game, it is McGriff's first for the American League. He made the team in 1992 with the Padres and from 1994-96 with the Braves. He was the All-Star MVP in 1994 after his pinch-hit, two-run homer in the ninth tied the score.

With the game in Atlanta, McGriff will have a chance to return to play in front of some friendly faces. Mostly, he said, he is looking forward to bringing his 9-year-old son, Erick, to meet some of the heroes from his Nintendo baseball game.

"I'll get him on the field and give him the opportunity to meet some different players," McGriff said.

McGriff's spot on the team might be the most controversial call Torre had to make since it kept Thomas off.

Otherwise, there were no major surprises when the pitchers and reserves were announced.

Boston starter Pedro Martinez was left off the team because he is on the disabled list. Baltimore third baseman Cal Ripken, who was elected as a starter, is also on the disabled list but will try to play in his 18th All Star Game.

Torre's pitching staff will have a new look with first-time All-Stars James Baldwin, Tim Hudson, Jason Isringhausen, Todd Jones and Derek Lowe.

NL manager Bobby Cox leaned toward his own Braves team, naming Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, Andres Galarraga and Andruw Jones to join starting third baseman Chipper Jones.

The Tampa Bay area will be well-represented. Tampa natives Carl Everett and Gary Sheffield. Bay area transplants Derek Jeter (Tampa) and David Wells (Safety Harbor) are also on the AL team.

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.

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