Major League Baseball announced on Thursday that New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner would replace Alex Gordon of the Kansas City Royals on the American League roster for the 2015 All-Star Game.
Adam Jones of the Baltimore Orioles will step into the starting lineup for Gordon as the next-highest vote-getter during player voting. Gardner then joins the roster as a reserve for AL manager Ned Yost.
The announcement was made to the Yankee Stadium crowd before the top of the fifth inning, drawing a huge cheer from the home crowd. Gardner, who homered in the first inning of the game, was 3-for-3 at the time of the announcement, Thursday afternoon.
The brand-new All-Star outfielder said that he noticed the Jumbotron was featuring him mid-inning, which doesn't normally happen.
"I was surprised," the Yankees star said. "Definitely an exciting moment for me and just honored to represent the Yankees.”
This marks Gardner's first All-Star selection in his eighth season. The speedy, versatile outfielder entered Thursday hitting .298 with 15 stolen bases and nine home runs.
On the other hand, the 31-year-old Gordon, who was one of four Royals voted in as starters thanks to a strong effort from the Kansas City fan base, got hurt while chasing down a ball in Wednesday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays. The three-time All-Star sports a .394 on-base percentage with 11 homers at the break. He is currently sidelined with a groin injury which he suffered last Wednesday.
Adam Jones of the Baltimore Orioles will step into the starting lineup for Gordon as the next-highest vote-getter during player voting. Gardner then joins the roster as a reserve for AL manager Ned Yost.
The announcement was made to the Yankee Stadium crowd before the top of the fifth inning, drawing a huge cheer from the home crowd. Gardner, who homered in the first inning of the game, was 3-for-3 at the time of the announcement, Thursday afternoon.
The brand-new All-Star outfielder said that he noticed the Jumbotron was featuring him mid-inning, which doesn't normally happen.
"I was surprised," the Yankees star said. "Definitely an exciting moment for me and just honored to represent the Yankees.”
This marks Gardner's first All-Star selection in his eighth season. The speedy, versatile outfielder entered Thursday hitting .298 with 15 stolen bases and nine home runs.
On the other hand, the 31-year-old Gordon, who was one of four Royals voted in as starters thanks to a strong effort from the Kansas City fan base, got hurt while chasing down a ball in Wednesday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays. The three-time All-Star sports a .394 on-base percentage with 11 homers at the break. He is currently sidelined with a groin injury which he suffered last Wednesday.