Well folks, it's official. Pablo Sandoval has been named to the 2011 National League All-Star team.
Pablo will replace the Phillies Placido Palanco who was forced to pull out due to a bulging disk in his back, while the Cubs' Aramis Ramirez declined his invitation as an injury replacement because he had already made previous plans to travel back to his native Dominican Republic. With the addition of the Panda it marks the first time the San Francisco Giants have had five All-Stars on the team since 1966 when it was Tom Hailer, Jon Ray Hart, Gaylord Perry, Willie McCovey and Willie Mays representing the Black and Orange.
Since returning from the disabled list Pablo has gone hitless in only one game while recording a 20 game hit streak, boosting his batting average up to .307. He will be the first positional player the Giants have had in the midsummer Classic since Barry Bonds in 2007. Sandoval will join the Reds' Scott Rolen as the lone third baseman for the National League, a players vote addition to the squad, giving Pablo a pretty legitimate shot at starting at the hot corner at Chase Field on Tuesday.