Bo Bichette brings Blue Jays all-star total to four

By: Laura Armstrong - Staff Reporter, Toronto Star Posted: 6:57 PM CDT Sunday, Jul. 4, 2021 Last Modified: 7:00 PM CDT Sunday, Jul. 4, 2021

Advertise with us

Bo Bichette had an inkling when he received a text from Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo that he might be on his way to next week’s all-star game at Coors Field.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*No charge for 4 weeks then price increases to the regular rate of $19.00 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

*Billed as $19 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.

Bo Bichette had an inkling when he received a text from Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo that he might be on his way to next week’s all-star game at Coors Field.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 04/07/2021 (1598 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Bo Bichette had an inkling when he received a text from Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo that he might be on his way to next week’s all-star game at Coors Field.

“Charlie texted me that he needed to see me when I got in, so I mean, I kind of knew when I got that text,” Bichette said Sunday. “But I went in there and he told me. Just happy.”

The 23-year-old shortstop was among the all-star reserves announced Sunday, the fourth Jay to make the American League team after Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Marcus Semien and Teoscar Hernandez were voted in as starters — acknowledged in a pre-game ceremony before Sunday’s 5-1 loss to the Rays at Sahlen Field.

Adrian Kraus - AP
Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette scooped a spot on the AL all-star team Sunday. — Adrian Kraus - AP Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette scooped a spot on the AL all-star team Sunday.

After the all-star announcement, Bichette said he was looking forward to celebrating in Buffalo with dad Dante, a Jays special assistant, and mom Mariana: “Dad’s in the clubhouse, but mom’s at home waiting for me, so I’ll go there and probably give her a big hug.”

Bichette leads the majors in runs with 68, to go with 15 home runs, 54 RBIs and an .856 OPS. He’s a first-time all-star after finishing second to Boston’s Xander Bogaerts in the AL shortstop vote.

Two other Jays contenders — outfielder Randal Grichuk (15 homers, 55 RBIs) and left-hander Robbie Ray (who went seven solid innings on Sunday) — were not selected. The Jays and Houston Astros led AL teams with four selections apiece.

The all-star pitching staffs were also announced Sunday and Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani, earlier voted in as the AL’s starting designated hitter, was selected again as a pitcher.

Laura Armstrong is a Star sports reporter based in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @lauraarmy