Mariano Rivera among All-Star Game memories Twins players won't forget

Brandon Kintzler's life might not change much this week in Miami. But his obituary will.

Like an Academy Award winner or a gold-record recording artist, Kintzler will have a new label affixed to his career Tuesday, and it will follow him until that day, hopefully far in the future, that his obit is published: All-Star.

Brian Dozier, Phil Hughes, Jason Castro and Hector Santiago each have it, too, and while they would like someday to become a two-time (or more) All-Star, like six-time teammate Joe Mauer, just having been selected once puts them in an esteemed, and still reasonably elite, class.

"I wouldn't say it's had any lingering effects on my career, but it's something pretty neat to check off on your résumé," said Hughes, a 2010 All-Star representing the Yankees. "There's a little star on my Baseball-Reference page."

Those one-time All-Stars describe their experience like fans would, as if they were invited on the ultimate baseball weekend. Castro, for instance, calls his presence at the 2013 game at Citi Field in New York as "an incredible experience. The way you're treated is spectacular." His highlight? "It was Mariano Rivera's final season, so the whole standing ovation for him, to take part in that was amazing," Castro said of Rivera's entrance from the bullpen to an empty field so the sellout crowd could salute him.

Castro's favorite moment doesn't really involve him because he didn't get to play. The lone representative of a 111-loss Astros team, he was told by AL manager Jim Leyland that if the game was close, he probably would remain on the bench as insurance in case the game went extra innings. "Me and Ben Zobrist were the emergency guys," Castro said. "But it was still a lot of fun to be there."

Dozier and Hughes have similar memories, but for separate reasons. Dozier became the third Twin ever to homer in an All-Star Game, blasting a pitch from Mark Melancon in the eighth inning in Cincinnati. Hughes was charged with the loss for his three-batter stint in the 2010 game but has no complaints. Having grown up in Southern California, pitching an All-Star Game in Anaheim made it even more special.

Actually, Hughes couldn't remember who followed Scott Rolen's single with another hit off him — it was Matt Holliday — but both runners scored after Matt Thornton relieved him, and he was charged with the loss. "That's OK," Hughes said. "It was still great. … Plus, I got a nice swag bag," complete with high-end headphones, an expensive pair of white cleats with a palm-tree logo that he still owns, "and a flip phone. They were big back then."

Dozier got some nice gifts, too — "I got a PGA-style, personalized golf bag that I still use," he said, "and I have headphones galore."

The home run was even better, though, especially since it was so unlikely. Dozier wasn't originally voted to the team, then didn't win the final-player vote, but he was selected as an injury sub. He hurt his back that morning, and rehabbed it much of the afternoon, but thought he wouldn't play; he was to be a ninth-inning defensive replacement. Jose Altuve and Jason Kipnis were told they would each get two at-bats, and Kipnis' second one came up in the eighth inning.

"But Jason went to [Royals/AL manager] Ned Yost and said, 'Hey, let Brian have an at-bat,'  " Dozier said. "I had to run to the clubhouse to get my bat."

Then Melancon hung a 2-1 curve, and Dozier made history.

There was plenty of All-Star related news in the AL Central

Indians: Some Cleveland players complained Carlos Carrasco (10-3, 3.44 ERA) should join his five teammates in Miami, especially since Corey Kluber won't pitch. But the big news is that Terry Francona won't manage, after undergoing a procedure to correct an irregular heartbeat. Bench coach Brad Mills replaces him.

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Royals: Mike Moustakas is the first Kansas City player invited to participate in the Home Run Derby since 1991. But the third baseman went on to earn a spot in Tuesday's game, too, by winning MLB's final vote. He won the vote in 2015, too, joining Shane Victorino (2009, 2011) as a two-time electee.

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White Sox: There's more interest among Sox fans in Sunday's Futures Game, where three exciting Chicago prospects will take part, than the midsummer classic. But Avisail Garcia, despite a sore knee and jammed finger, will play on Tuesday, finally fulfilling (with a .313 average and .858 OPS entering Saturday) long-predicted status among elite.

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

Brandon Kintzler's addition to the AL All-Star team makes him the fourth Twins closer selected since 2002, a group (Eddie Guardado, Joe Nathan and Glen Perkins) that has 10 selections between them. But it's much rarer for Twins starting pitchers to go to the game, as Ervin Santana will this year. Here are the starting pitchers chosen since 2002:

Ervin Santana: 2017

Francisco Liriano: 2006

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If Santana is chosen Monday to start for the AL, he would become the fourth Twins pitcher ever chosen for that honor. The three previous All-Star Game starters from Minnesota:

Jack Morris: 1991

Frank Viola: 1988

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With four complete games before the All-Star break, Ervin Santana is on pace to finish the most Twins starts in 26 years, since Jack Morris completed 10 in 1991. To illustrate how the game has changed, here are the most complete games in Twins history:
25: Bert Blyleven, 1973
20: Bert Blyleven, 1975
19: Dave Goltz, 1977
19: Bert Blyleven, 1974
19: Jim Kaat, 1966