Sox’ Jake Peavy earns all-star nod after all
And then there were four.
Near the end of Sunday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays at U.S. Cellular Field, the White Sox learned starting pitcher Jake Peavy is going to Tuesday’s All-Star Game in Kansas City.
Peavy will join Sox teammates Paul Konerko, Adam Dunn and Chris Sale on the American League team. The 31-year-old starting pitcher replaces the Angels’ C.J. Wilson, who had to pull out of baseball’s showcase game with a finger blister.
Peavy (7-5, 2.85 ERA) finished second to the Rangers’ Yu Darvish in the Final Vote, but he earned his third trip to the All-Star Game.
“Definitely, he deserves it,” said second baseman Gordon Beckham, who jokingly portrayed Peavy in a video during the Final Vote. “With a little run support he’s probably 10-3. He’s been great.”
Peavy was not available for comment Sunday. He was given permission to leave the Cell early to catch a flight to Colorado.
On Monday, Peavy is attending funeral services for close friend and former San Diego Padres bullpen coach Darrel Akerfelds, who passed away June 24 from pancreatic cancer.
Peavy is expected to arrive in Kansas City later Monday, and Sale can’t wait to greet his rotation mate.
“He deserves it, finally getting recognized for what he’s done,” Sale said. “It’s awesome. It just shows how hard he worked for it and how much he really competes out there. It’s been a heck of year up to this point.”
Having four all-stars is the most for the White Sox since 2006, when Ozzie Guillen managed the AL team. They had seven all-stars that season.