DENVER—Now that Jason Marquis made his first All-Star team, his family’s trip to Disneyland is going to have to wait.
Sorry, kids.
The Colorado Rockies pitcher had to alter vacation plans to the theme park after learning Sunday he’d been selected to the squad. Outfielder Brad Hawpe will also be joining him for the All-Star game July 14 in St. Louis.
So, how does Marquis break the news to his two young kids there will be no Mickey this summer?
“We didn’t tell them (we were going to Disneyland) yet,” Marquis said, smiling. “We’re not going to tell them.”
Even though Marquis had the credentials in the first half of the season for a spot on the All-Star team, he didn’t let himself think about making the team.
He’s been in this position before, only to be let down.
“I just told myself whatever happens, happens,” said Marquis, who is the only pitcher in the NL with 10 wins. “It didn’t really weigh on my mind or affect anything I do on a daily basis.”
Hawpe’s numbers almost made him a certainty for the squad. The right fielder is hitting .327 this season, one of the top averages in the National League. He’s also among the league leaders in RBIs (56) and slugging percentage (.589).
Still, he couldn’t believe he’d been selected to his first team. This wasn’t something Hawpe ever dreamed about as a youngster growing up on the baseball diamonds in Texas.
“I promise you I never thought I’d be a major league All-Star,” Hawpe said. “I’m definitely very fortunate. When I was a kid, I just wanted to play in high school. My goal was always to worry about the next step, never worry about the big picture.”
Unlike Marquis, Hawpe had no plans to cancel for the three-day All-Star break. He was simply going to spend time with his family on his ranch.
“I wasn’t thinking about (making the team),” Hawpe said. “I figured if I built it up too much in my mind and if I didn’t make it, I’d be let down. I didn’t want that to happen.”
No worries about that.
Now the only thing left undecided is whether he’ll participate in the home run derby the night before.
So far, Hawpe’s noncommittal.
“We’ll just see what happens,” said Hawpe, who has 13 homers this season.
While Hawpe was voted to the squad by his peers, Marquis received his spot from Philadelphia’s Charlie Manuel, who will manage the NL squad.
Marquis thinks his performance against the Phillies in April may have caught Manuel’s eye. Marquis went seven solid innings, giving up just two runs.
“Maybe that stuck in his mind?” the 30-year-old said.
Marquis is looking forward to a return to St. Louis, a city where he spent three seasons.
“It’s where I really defined myself as a pitcher,” Marquis said. “To walk back into a clubhouse where there are good memories and good teammates, it’s definitely going to be special. Obviously, there are going to be some goosebumps.”
