7/1 Castro gets 2nd All-Star selection

Last year, Starlin Castro got the news that he made the All-Star Game as soon as he arrived at the ballpark. This time, nobody said anything to him. He was nervous. Then, Dale Sveum called a meeting to give Castro and Bryan LaHair the news. Castro could take a deep breath.

This will be his second All-Star appearance. He’s just hoping to be on time. Last year, he missed the workout day festivities because he missed his flight.

“It’s amazing and exciting for me,” Castro said about making the NL team. “That’s why I come here, is to be in the All-Star Game every year. I want it to be more.”

He was first on the players’ ballots, and finished fifth on the fan balloting. The Cardinals’ Rafael Furcal will start.

“When I was a little kid, I would see baseball games, good players who made the All-Star Game, and I think, ‘Oh, my God, it’s unbelievable,’ and one day I want to be there,” Castro said. “Now this is my second one. I’m not stopping here. I’ll keep working hard to make some more.”

Teammate Alfonso Soriano was proud of the 22-year-old shortstop.

“I’m happy for him because he’s improving,” Soriano said. “He’s a good player and consistent. That’s the most important thing in the big leagues. You can do it for one year and the second year, you disappear. I’m happy for him because he’s young. He’s working hard and he’s been consistent. Sometimes when you get to the big leagues you do it for one year, but from what I see with Castro, he wants to do it every year.”

– Carrie Muskat