Cliff Lee, Domonic Brown named to all-star team

On Friday, when asked about the possibility of being an all-star, Phillies leftfielder Domonic Brown basically took the fifth.

"I haven't even thought about it," said Brown, saying he was concerned only about trying to win the next game.

He'll have plenty of time to think about it now.

Brown and Phillies lefthander Cliff Lee were named to the National League all-star team Saturday.

The 84th All-Star Game will be played July 16 at Citi Field, home of the New York Mets.

"It definitely feels great, my first one, and it's an honor," Brown said after Saturday's 13-4 loss to the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park.

Brown said he hasn't been asked yet to participate in the Home Run Derby, but would do so if asked.

He insisted he didn't think about the all-star team until he was called into manager Charlie Manuel's office and told on Saturday.

Even though he was 16th in fan balloting, Brown was selected on the player ballot after finishing fourth among National League outfielders.

He received 335 player votes, just three behind Colorado's Michael Cuddyer.

"I feel the fan vote is great, and in a lot of ways fans want to see the most popular players, but in Domonic's case, to be chosen by the players is a great honor. He deserves it and is one of the best offensive players in the National League right now," Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said.

Lee was chosen to the team by National League manager Bruce Bochy of the San Francisco Giants.

For Lee, it will be his fourth all-star appearance, while Brown will be making his first. Under Lee's contract, he earned a $50,000 bonus for his selection.

This is Lee's second time being selected as a Phillie; the first time was in 2011. He was also an all-star in 2008 and 2010.

"Anytime you get an opportunity to represent the league and your team at the All-Star Game it is definitely an honor and something to be proud of, " Lee said. "Hopefully I get a chance to help the National League win and get home-field advantage for the World Series."

This season Lee is 10-2 with a 2.73 ERA. He has 119 strikeouts in 1312/3 innings.

Brown is hitting .279 with 22 home runs, 60 RBIs, and an .869 on-base-plus-slugging percentage.

At 25, Brown is the Phillies' youngest all-star since Cole Hamels made the team at the age of 23 in 2007. Brown is the youngest Phillies position player since Jimmy Rollins was an all-star in 2001 at 22.

Brown had his share of doubters during stints with the Phillies the previous three years.

"He wasn't ready to be in the big leagues as an everyday player over the last couple of years," Amaro said. "He is ready this year and took advantage of it."