Sox All-Star quartet set pace in first half
Lance Lynn clearly remembers his lone previous All-Star appearance as a starting pitcher for the Cardinals in 2012. The right-hander also recalls his National League manager in ’12, Tony La Russa, who just happens to be his White Sox manager now.
“Tony was my manager. I know that, even though he was retired. He didn’t pitch me. I’m still pissed off with him about that,” said Lynn with a laugh during a recent interview at Target Field. “No, it was a fun time.
“I was in my first full year in the big leagues, so to be voted in by your peers as pretty much a rookie was pretty special. And to be voted in again almost 10 years later ... I think I’m going to do it a little different this time, kind of in awe the first time. Happy to be there this time and we’re going to enjoy it.”
Lynn is one of four White Sox players chosen for the 2021 All-Star Game, taking place Tuesday at Coors Field in Denver. He is joined by closer Liam Hendriks, a fellow second time All-Star, as well as first-time selections in left-handed starter Carlos Rodón and shortstop Tim Anderson.
Hendriks, Lynn and Rodón were selected off the Players Ballot, while Anderson was a replacement announced on Saturday for the player-elected Carlos Correa of Houston. Even before his selection became official, Anderson made it clear an All-Star nod would be considered something special.
“Yeah, it definitely does [matter]. I’m not going to say it [doesn’t],” said Anderson during an interview when the team was in Houston from June 17-20. “It would be a great accomplishment in my career. Not everybody makes the All-Star Game at the big league level.
“Definitely, [winning] the World Series would be even doper -- but I’m not going to downplay the fact that being an All Star is pretty cool. I would definitely be proud and be happy to have that accomplishment this year.”
This quartet of White Sox standouts has been at the forefront of the team’s stellar first half, carrying an 8-game lead over the Indians into the All-Star break and seemingly following a runaway route to the American League Central title. Lynn puts forth that South Side attitude on the mound, making him an instant hit with the White Sox fan base -- and the media, for that matter -- via his pointed but humorous postgame quotes.
Lynn’s 9-3 record, AL-best 1.99 ERA and 105 strikeouts over 90 2/3 innings in 16 starts don't hurt the cause, either. Hendriks tops the AL with 23 saves, not to mention countless yells and screams of frustration and celebration on the mound to go with 63 strikeouts against four walks in 39 1/3 innings.
Rodón became one of the great stories of the first half, going from non-tendered by the White Sox in December to one of the AL Cy Young front-runners at the All-Star break. Meanwhile, Anderson has served as the heart and soul of this up-and-coming team for the past three seasons.
Since winning the AL batting crown with a .335 average in 2019, Anderson has hit .314 with an .817 OPS in '20-21. He has scored 55 runs this season and is currently on a 12-game hitting streak. He has changed the game, as the White Sox marketing slogan goes, with the fun and excitement regularly brought to Guaranteed Rate Field.
“For the most part, [I] really just [try to] be myself,” Anderson said. “I have to continue to be myself every day and continue to keep pushing. I just continue to be me 100 percent and people will follow me and get into it.”
In reality, the All-Star Game is the calm before the second-half push for these White Sox players, who have a goal to win a World Series championship. It’s a reward for exceptional first-half production, as a representation of their exceptional teammates, and a time to share the accolades with their family.
“To get noticed by some other players, to take away the personality you can exude on the mound and go by straight up performance is something special,” Hendriks said. “I’m just honored to be a part of that.”
“It feels good, but I just want to keep going,” said Rodón of his great first half. “I think I’ve said that who knows how many times, probably 100, ever since you guys asked me during spring when I started throwing well. I just want to keep going.”
Senior Reporter Scott Merkin has covered the White Sox for MLB.com since 2003.