Victorino victorious in Final Vote
PHILADELPHIA, PA (MLB.com) July 9 - It doesn’t take much to get Shane Victorino to bounce around the ballpark.
But Victorino had a little more hop in his step Thursday when he learned he had won the National League’s Final Vote completion, which put him on the National League All-Star team. He will join teammates Chase Utley, Raul Ibanez and Ryan Howard on Tuesday at the All-Star Game at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.
“I was surprised a little, but I knew this was an opportunity for me to really see and understand what it’s really like to be a Phillie,” Victorino said. “It really showed by what has happened. I’m very appreciative.”
Victorino picked up a Final Vote record 15.6 million votes. He finished ahead of Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval, who traded the top spot with Victorino throughout the week. Both finished well ahead of D-backs third baseman Mark Reynolds, Dodgers center fielder Matt Kemp and Nationals shortstop Crisitian Guzman.
“To be the guy that comes out of the pack is an honor,” Victorino said. “Again, playing in a city like Philly and coming up with a championship in a city that’s hungry shows us again what Phillies fans are about.”
Here in Philly, we love our ballplayers. We especially love them when they hustle on every play, run out every ball, dive to make the catch, take the extra base and blow throw “stop!” signs rounding third, and so on. We like dirty uniforms and guys who look like they’re having at least as much fun as we are.
All of which tells you why we love Shane Victorino.
Yeah, you wish he played for your team.
Congratulations, Shane, on making the National League All-Star team.
Photo: The Patriot-News
Filed under: Baseball, Philadelphia, Sports & stuff | Tagged: Baseball, Philadelphia, Phillies, Shane Victorino
