St. Louis Cardinals send four to 2014 All-Star Game

The St. Louis Cardinals saw four players named to the 2014 All-Star game: Yadier Molina, Adam Wainwright, Pat Neshek, and Matt Carpenter.

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The four Cardinals will be representing St. Louis on the National League team managed by Cardinals skipper Mike Matheny. Molina was voted in by the fans and the players selected Wainwright. Matheny named Neshek and Carpenter with his manager’s selections.

“It hit a different level of volume when I announced Pat,” Matheny said, according to MLB.com, about how the Cardinals reacted in the clubhouse. “His response was priceless. He was astonished, I think. You look at everybody’s individual trail that they’re on to get here, and some of the adversity that guys go through make something like this even sweeter. Once again, though, [it’s] completely deserved. I don’t think anybody is going to argue that.”

This is the third selection for Wainwright, who was selected to play in the 2010 and 2013 All-Star games. Wainwright will likely be battling Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw for the right to start the 2014 All-Star Game for the National League. Cincinnati Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto won’t be a candidate to start since he will be pitching on Sunday.

“It’s a tremendous honor,” Wainwright said according to MLB.com. “To be voted in by the players is something that will mean something for me and be a notch on the belt. When you look back on your career, you can say, ‘Wow, the players thought I was good enough one year to make the All-Star team.’ That’s pretty special.”

For Molina, this is his sixth consecutive selection to the All-Star Game since 2009.

Neshek is going back to his native Minnesota to play in his first-ever All-Star Game.

“[Matheny] said, ‘And going back to his hometown …’ and that’s when everything, for me, I tuned out everything. I shook my head and thought, ‘This is a reality,'” Neshek said according to MLB.com. “I thought there was a chance, [but] baseball doesn’t really make a spot for setup guys.”

For Carpenter, this is his second consecutive All-Star selection and first selection as a third baseman.

“The first one in your career will always be the most thrilling,” Carpenter said according to MLB.com. “There are so many emotions and so much excitement, and it was here and gone before I was able to soak it in. This one, I think, will really be one where I can sit back and take in the moment. I can just have fun and enjoy the experience, and it will help because I know somewhat what to expect. But it still is special.”

First baseman Matt Adams was the most notable snub when it comes to the All-Star selections. He was not named amongst the final five players to be voted in by the fans. With the number of first baseman selected as reserves, it’s not known yet as to how far down Adams is when it comes to replacing somebody due to injury.

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