NL Colorado Rockies' Ubaldo Jimenez and AL Tampa Bay Rays' David Price to start All-Star Game

The long awaited All-Star starting pitcher decision has been made.

National League Starting Pitcher: Ubaldo Jimenez RHP, Colorado Rockies
Charlie Manuel, Manager of the Philadelphia Phillies and the National League for the All-Star Game, selected right handed pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez of the Colorado Rockies to start for the National League All-Stars. Jimenez, who has made for one of the best stories of the first half of the season so far, is 15-1 with a 2.20 ERA this season, and has thrown a no-hitter that came on April 17th against the Atlanta Braves. Jimenez, 26, leads the major leagues in wins, and is fifth in the league in ERA. A somewhat surprising decision, many believed that Manuel would select Josh Johnson, a right handed pitcher from the Florida Marlins to start the game, due to his 9-3 record and major league leading 1.70 ERA.

When asked about his decision, Manuel responded that Johnson "is a real talented guy, but this guy," Manuel said while seated next to Jimenez at the news conference today, "has won 15 games and threw a no-hitter. It was a tough decision, but he's my guy." (USA Today)

"It's a huge honor for me just to be here," said Jimenez. "I'm going to cherish the moment tomorrow. It's an honor to be in the clubhouse with all these stars."

American League Starting Pitcher: David Price LHP, Tampa Bay Rays
Opposing Jimenez and the NL team will be the young ace of the Tampa Bay Rays, left handed pitcher David Price. Price, 24, has also made for quite the story of the first half, helping lead a young Rays team to second place in the fearsome AL East, just two games behind the New York Yankees. While many thought that Yankees and American Leauge All-Star Manager Joe Girardi would select his own pitcher, lefty Andy Pettitte (11-2, 2.70), Girardi went with Price. Price, who is 12-4 with a 2.42 ERA on the season, has pitched himself to be the long searched for ace of the Tampa Bay Rays. The first overall pick in the 2007 draft, Price pitched his way through the minor leagues in one season, making his long awaited debut in 2008 and helping the Rays to the World Series. Price ranks third in wins and is seventh in ERA among major leaguers. Price is the youngest pitcher to start an All-Star Game since Dwight Gooden of the Mets started for the NL at age 23 in 1988. Price is also the youngest pitcher to start for the AL since Bret Saberhagen of the Royals, who was also 23 in 1987. He's also the first #1 overall pick to start an All-Star Game.

"It's a definitely an honor," Price stated. "It hasn't set in yet. I'm very happy to be here."
(Seattle Post Intelligencer)