If Raul Ibanez returns from injury in time and Shane Victorino gets a big boost from the fans, the Phillies could have four players on the roster for the All-Star Game a week from tomorrow.
Yesterday, while the first-place Phillies were pinning a 2-0 defeat on the hapless New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park, Ibanez, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard were officially named to play in the All-Star Game in St. Louis. The fans voted in Ibanez, sidelined with a left groin strain, and Utley as starters. Howard was one of eight players tabbed as a reserve by manager Charlie Manuel.
Manuel also used his weight as National League skipper to make Victorino one of five players eligible to be voted by fans as the 33d and final NL player on the roster. Fans can vote online at MLB.com.
In choosing Howard, Manuel gave the slugging first baseman the opportunity to play in the Midsummer Classic in the city where he was born and raised.
"I'm definitely psyched," said Howard, a second-time all-star. "This is great. It's an honor to be selected to the team and be able to go and actually participate in your hometown. I don't know if words can really describe it."
Howard went 0 for 3 at the plate against the Mets, but he shined on defense behind Joe Blanton. Howard is batting .252 with 60 RBIs, 20 home runs, and 19 doubles.
"I chose Ryan Howard because I felt like he deserves to go," Manuel said. "And also, I feel like he's my player, and I feel like our players are the reason I'm managing in the All-Star Game in the first place. My players have put me there, and I've always said that."
Did Howard's link to St. Louis factor into Manuel's decision?
"That played a part in some of it," the manager said, "but also he hits real good there. And if I have to just use him as a pinch-hitter, we've seen in the last three or four years that he's definitely capable of hitting the ball out of the park."
At age 37, Ibanez, who made his major-league debut in 1996, is the oldest position player ever to gain all-star status for the first time.
"It's definitely a great feeling," Ibanez said. "I feel really blessed to have been voted in. The fact that I was playing on this club with all these great players definitely helped me to become a part of this."
Ibanez, hitting .312 with 59 RBIs and 22 homers, is slated to begin a rehab assignment today with double-A Reading, which hosts the Connecticut Defenders at 12:05 p.m.
"We're working to get back and we're trying to get back as soon as we can," the veteran outfielder said. "We're trying not to think that far ahead." Today's game with Reading "is as far ahead as I'm thinking right now."
In addition to Victorino, batting .300 with a .363 on-base percentage, the contenders for the last roster spot, all chosen by Manuel, are Nationals shortstop Cristian Guzman, Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp, Diamondbacks third baseman Mark Reynolds, and Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval.
"It's nice and it's one of those things where now we leave it up to the Philly faithful," Victorino said. "I think I have a good chance. I have faith in the fans and what this team is doing right now."
Contact staff writer Rick O'Brien at 610-313-8019 or robrien@phillynews.com.
