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Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler has no interest in appearing in the MLB All-Star Game even after receiving a late invitation to the Midsummer Classic.
Wheeler was initially unable to have the chance to pitch at Citizens Bank Ballpark, his home stadium, because of his pitching schedule. The pitching schedules have determined who is available for the Midsummer Classic, but it’s not known whether they have strictly determined All-Star selections.
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He was invited to join the roster Friday as an injury replacement but declined, saying he was “not gonna be the fifth option.”
“Because they disrespected me,” he said, via NBC Sports Philadelphia. “So I’m just not gonna participate in that thing.”
Wheeler made clear he wasn’t criticizing the event itself, calling it a “privilege” to participate in it. However, it was the initial snub that didn’t sit well with him.
“Guys do take a lot of pride to having the All-Star next to your name,” he added. “During your career and after your career. And people who build them stuff after your career might look at that, too. For somebody to kind of take that away from me, it doesn’t sit the best.”
Wheeler has been dealing for the Phillies this season. In 14 starts, he has a 2.28 ERA with 98 strikeouts and a 10.1 K/9 ratio.
He suggested on Tuesday that it was his pitching schedule that was keeping him off the mound.
“It p—es me off. It’s kind of BS, so. Maybe if I wasn’t necessarily right in there, I wouldn’t be saying this, but I feel like I’ve earned it, and just because I pitch on a certain day, I can’t pitch in the All-Star Game or even be there or get the recognition for it,” he said.
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“I think it’s kind of just a BS rule, just because I pitch on a certain day, I get punished for it, I guess.”
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