Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon wanted to call a team meeting, but with the team scattered around the clubhouse, training room and batting cage, the Rays manager had the pleasure of informing three of his players individually that they would be heading to the All-Star Game.

George Christian Pappas, ESPN Radio


Maddon told David Price, James Shields and Matt Joyce that they made the American League roster for the Midsummer Classic per the players' vote.

Shields' selection did not come as a surprise to Maddon, who applauded his efforts and willingness to push deep into games.

The right-hander's 8-5 record, 2.45 ERA and 127 strikeouts are bests on the Rays' staff. His 0.98 WHIP ranks fifth among starters in Major League Baseball.

Shields' nickname changed from "Big Game" to "Complete Game" James after pacing the AL with six complete games through 17 starts this season, tying Philadelphia's Roy Halladay for the MLB lead.

Price has been a complete-game threat all season, too. The lone southpaw in Tampa Bay's rotation, he has notched eight wins of his own. Price and Shields could be the first pair of AL teammates in 10 years to combine for 250 strikeouts before the All-Star break since Pedro Martinez and Hideo Nomo accomplished the feat for Boston in 2001. The Rays' duo are seven punch-outs short of the mark.

Maddon approached Joyce in the training room to deliver the news. The right-fielder deadpanned with his initial response.

Joyce has enjoyed a renaissance at the plate, and was leading the majors with a .374 average at the end of May. He's come down to Earth since then, assembling a .302/11HR/40RBI clip for this breakout season.

"I told him, 'No, Matt, you were voted on by the players, that's a big deal,'" Maddon said.

Shields and Joyce will be making their first career All-Star appearances when they heads to Arizona. Price returns to the game for the second year in a row.

"All three make sense, all three are deserving. In 2009 we went out there with a bunch of rays uniforms in the game, I thought that was fabulous. What we had last year -- [three starters and a reliever] -- that was pretty good too," Maddon said.

Ben Zobrist could join the group. The second baseman was added to the Final Vote list Sunday, where he will compete against Royals outfielder Alex Gordon, Orioles outfielder Adam Jones, White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko and Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez for the final roster spot.

Maddon also lobbied for Kyle Farnsworth's inclusion in the desert. Farnsworth picked up his 17th save in 19 opportunities Sunday, recording the final five outs in the Rays' 8-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.

"I still believe Kyle Farnsworth is deserving of that moment and of course [Ben] Zobrist on that list of five possibly to get voted in, we still have a chance for additional representation there," Maddon said.

Fans can participate in the MLB.com Final Vote sponsored by Sprint until Thursday.


George Christian Pappas covers the Tampa Bay Rays and Major League Baseball for ESPN Radio Gainesville/Ocala. He is finishing his degree in journalism and Spanish at the University of Florida. You can send him questions or comments at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or on Twitter @gpappas99.