There are only a finite number of spots in the All-Star Game and there was only enough room this season for one Minnesota Twins player, catcher and occasional DH Joe Mauer, who finished second in the voting for catchers.
Two more players from the Twins were considered possibilities for the remaining spots, starting pitcher Scott Diamond and left fielder Josh Willingham. Neither made it into the final cut, despite strong seasons from both of them:
Willingham entered Sunday's game against Kansas City leading the Twins with 16 homers and 52 RBIs. He increased both numbers with a three-run homer in the sixth inning off Kansas City starter Bruce Chen.
Diamond's performance drew particular praise from Gardenhire. Since Diamond was called up from Triple-A Rochester on May 7, he is 7-3 and has posted the team's second-lowest earned run average at 2.63.
Impressive numbers aren't the full equation for getting an All-Star appearance, you also have to get a good number of votes or be voted in by your peers. The votes weren't there for Twins who weren't Mauer this season and on a losing team like the Twins, All-Stars rarely emerge in numbers.
For that reason, it's hard to say that either player being left out is a snub of any sort. Perhaps next year if they can keep numbers like they've had in 2012 up -- Diamond in particular will be an interesting watch if he can keep his recent form coming up from Triple-A going for a while -- one of them make the cut.
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