ST. LOUIS — Brad Hawpe was a great high school pitcher. So good, in fact, colleges didn’t see hitting in his future. Hawpe resisted that notion. He went to junior college, made a phone call that helped him land at LSU, and became a college standout.
Now, after a few near misses, he is an National League all-star. However in a bit of an upset, he’s not starting tomorrow’s game. Hawpe was the highest vote-getter among his peers. Shane Victorino, elected in the online voting, is starting ahead of Hawpe. It didn’t make sense to put Hawpe in center field, a position he’s never played. That’s essentialy what played out.
“I saw Hunter Pence play some center field before, but he really hasn’t since 2007. And with (Shane) Victorino I wanted a guy that had played center field,” National League manager Charlie Manuel said. “Hawpe is a tremendous player. I like everything about him. I am sure I will work him into the game.”
The NL lineup.
SS Hanley Ramirez
2B Chase Utley
1B Albert Pujols
RF Ryan Braun
LF Raul Ibanez
3B David Wright
CF Shane Victorino
C Yadier Molina
RHP Tim Lincecum
AL lineup
RF Ichiro Suzuki
SS Derek Jeter
C Joe Mauer
1B Mark Teixeira
LF Jason Bay
CF Josh Hamilton
3B Evan Longoria
2B Aaron Hill
RHP Roy Halladay
