The mood in the White Sox clubhouse was unmatched after Friday’s 12-1 blowout win over the Orioles. While everyone was gathered around celebrating the win, manager Tony La Russa told third-base coach Joe McEwing that he should do the honor of sharing a special announcement with the team. McEwing then announced that shortstop Tim Anderson was named as a replacement for the 2021 All-Star Game.

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“The one coach that earned that honor was Joe McEwing, who from Day One has worked with Tim,” said La Russa. “Joe made the announcement, and the explosion of emotion in that clubhouse … I don't know if we taped it. Somebody should have taped it. It was just overjoyed throughout every person on the roster for Tim, because of what he's done to earn it and what everybody feels for him. It was one of the best experiences I can remember. I've had a lot of really great ones, [but] that right there ties with all those other ones.”

La Russa believed that Anderson should have been named an All-Star from the beginning, and his numbers back that up. The shortstop is hitting .432 with eleven runs scored during a 10-game hitting streak. His average on the season has bumped up to .312 -- just outside the AL’s top five. 

“You got to see him every day to appreciate him,” said La Russa on the All-Star. “Guys that knew him better than I did, just a few days into Spring Training when the rankings came out, and [saw] he was 10th … you need exposure to see how great he is in all phases of the game. He does things on the bases, his explosion, it's just a beautiful thing to watch.”

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After hearing of his first All-Star nod, Anderson told his wife and kids, who are excited to join the slugger in Colorado. 

“It’s the first one,” said Anderson, when asked what he is most looking forward to about going to the All-Star Game. “Hopefully, I can have a good experience with my family, my wife and kids, and just really just soak up the moment and enjoy it all, [then] come back and be ready for that second half and keep pushing. … I've been working, and finally [getting] recognized and [getting] the recognition definitely is a dope feeling.”