Aussie pitcher Hendriks named MLB All-Star

Monday, 8 July 2019:

Australian pitcher Liam Hendriks has been named a Major League Baseball All-Star.

It is the latest step in a fairytale resurgence for the 30-year-old from Perth who a year ago was struggling for form and was dropped by the Oakland Athletics to a minor league team in Nashville.

Hendriks will suit up alongside MLB superstars Mike Trout, Justin Verlander and Carlos Santana for the American League against the National League's best in Tuesday's (Wednesday AEST) All-Star game in Cleveland.

"It's been a whirlwind for sure, but it was almost necessary for me to go down there and gain perspective, get rid of the ego," Hendriks, describing his two-month stint in the minor leagues last year, told reporters.

Hendriks has an MLB-best 0.96 ERA as a reliever and has become the A's closer.

He is the third Australian to be named an All-Star, following catcher Dave Nilsson (1999) and closer Grant Balfour (2013).

"It's such an honour trying to gain credit for the Australian Baseball League and get the momentum going over there," Hendriks said.

"Anytime an Australian guy does anything over here, it positively impacts the game there."






AAP






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