When the lineups were announced for tonight’s All-Star Game, there was one surprise on the National League side, and that was with Andre Ethier of the Dodgers. Ethier is going to start in center field for the NL, the first time he has ever played the position as a pro.
↵The other starting outfielders are Ryan Braun and Corey Hart of the Brewers, not exactly making the best defensive trio. However, Hart has actually played center field before, although it was back in 2007, when he started 28 games in center.
↵Phillies manager Charlie Manuel explained his reasoning, as reported by Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times:
↵↵↵Manuel recalled that Ethier used to play center field “a lot,” so decided to pencil him in there.
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As much as I would like to complain about Manuel and his curious roster and lineup choices, I will choose to focus my energy on hoping the Dodgers get to the World Series instead of the Phillies, so Joe Torre (or Don Mattingly!) gets to make these decisions instead.