Former Oriole Nick Markakis is a first-time All-Star at the age of 34 after the Braves outfielder was voted Sunday to start in this year’s All-Star Game as one of the top three vote-getters among National League outfielders.
Four years after the Orioles didn’t retain Markakis after concern about a herniated disc in his neck prompted them to pull their four-year offer, Markakis is enjoying the best offensive season of his 13-year career as the elder statesman of a young Braves team that is leading the NL East.
Markakis entered Sunday leading the NL in hits (112) and is hitting .324/.392/.494 with 10 homers and 59 RBIs.
Markakis, Bryce Harper of the Nationals and Matt Kemp of the Los Angeles Dodgers were the three NL outfielders selected by fan balloting to start in the All-Star Game, which will be played July 17.
Markakis, who still lives in the Baltimore area, will get to play in his first All-Star Game just south of Baltimore in Washington.
Also named an All-Star for the first time was former Orioles minor leaguer and Old Mill graduate Josh Hader, who was selected to the NL roster after recording 83 strikeouts in just 44 2/3 innings this season as a left-handed reliever for the Milwaukee Brewers. Hader, who was drafted by the Orioles in the 19th round of the 2012 draft, was traded by Baltimore in 2013 with L.J. Hoes and a 2014 competitive balance round A pick to the Houston Astros for Bud Norris.
NL All-Star Game starters
C - Willson Contreras, Cubs
1B - Freddie Freeman, Braves
2B - Javy Baez, Cubs
3B - Nolan Arenado, Rockies
SS - Brandon Crawford, Giants
OF - Nick Markakis, Braves
OF - Matt Kemp, Dodgers
OF - Bryce Harper, Nationals
AL All-Star Game starters
C - Wilson Ramos, Rays
1B - Jose Abreu, White Sox
2B - Jose Altuve, Astros
3B - Jose Ramirez, Indians
SS - Manny Machado, Orioles
OF - Mike Trout, Angels
OF - Mookie Betts, Red Sox
OF - Aaron Judge, Yankees
DH - J.D. Martinez, Red Sox