Following his last start of the first half, Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole said starting the All-Star Game would be a “dream come true.”
“Every time I’ve made it earlier in my career, there’s been Hall of Famers starting that game,” he said. “It would be a huge honor to represent the organization and all the hard work everybody behind the scenes puts in.”
Just a few days later, that dream has become a reality.
Astros manager Dusty Baker named Cole the starter for the American League for Tuesday night’s All-Star Game. It’s the first time that the right-hander will open the game in his six career appearances.
“Guys been here five or six times, it’s about time he started one,” Baker said. “He’s one of the best there is. He wanted to pitch and if a guy like Gerrit Cole wants to pitch, I’m gonna let him pitch.”
“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” Cole said. “I feel like I’m physically able to do it and got an opportunity, thankful that Dusty selected me. Some of my fondest memories growing up, one of them is watching Pedro Martinez in the All-Star game.
“I’ve been to a few of them and I’ve had the pleasure of watching some future Hall of Famers do it, and I’ve always been like ‘Man, I really hope I can do that one day.'”
Cole has been money for the Yankees so far this season.
They’ve won 14 of the league-leading 19 starts he’s made. The ace also has one complete game shutout and he’s posted a 2.85 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and has 123 strikeouts over that span.
That’s exactly why Yankees manager Aaron Boone was fully in support of the notion that Cole should get the start for Baker and the AL.
“His first half numbers speak for themselves,” the skipper said. “He’s absolutely, if nothing else, in that discussion of the short list of guys who are worthy of that honor.
“When you include his body of work, no one should have any issue with one of the game’s great pitchers starting the All-Star Game. I know it would mean a lot to Gerrit and it would mean a lot to us.”
Cole becomes the first Yankee pitcher since Roger Clemens in 2001 to start an All-Star Game.