Tigers Cabrera, Valverde Named To All-Star Team

The Detroit Tigers will have two All Stars on the American League team when the All-Star game is played next week, July 13th.  The Tigers will be represented by first baseman Miguel Cabrera and closer Jose Valverde.

Cabrera, 27, will make his fifth All-Star appearance and first as a Tiger. Cabrera received the most votes by a Tiger, 2,586,207, but finished behind Justin Morneau of the Minnesota Twins who will start the game.

Valverde said it's an exciting moment right now, but it'll be even more exciting when he gets to California for the All-Star game.

"Both guys deserved it, obviously.  Really thrilled for Valverde, this is his second one... he really deserves it," Tigers Manager Jim Leyland said.  "And of course Cabrera's a perennial all star."

Cabrera is in the hunt for the triple crown.  He's fifth in average and second in home runs and RBI's.

Many fans thought Tiger rookie Brennan Boesch might make the team.  Boesch said he's disappointed, but didn't really have any expectations going in one way or another.

"It's safe to say that every kid dreams of going, you know, when you got guys in your club house and respected players around the league giving you encouragement then maybe there's a chance and that you deserve to go and you're heart is going to be in it until you find out you're not going," Boesch said.

AL MVP catcher Joe Mauer was announced Sunday by Major League baseball as the fans' top choice for the July 13th game in Anaheim, Calif.  Albert Pujols earned the most votes in the National League.

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© MMX WWJ Radio, All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.