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Toronto Blue Jays: J.A. Happ’s All-Star selection more than deserving

By David Morassutti

TORONTO, ON - JUNE 20: J.A. Happ #33 of the Toronto Blue Jays receives an ovation from the crowd as he exits the game after being relieved in the ninth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Rogers Centre on June 20, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JUNE 20: J.A. Happ #33 of the Toronto Blue Jays receives an ovation from the crowd as he exits the game after being relieved in the ninth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Rogers Centre on June 20, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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J.A. Happ finally gets the call to the MLB All-Star game as the Toronto Blue Jays starter will represent the team in Washington for the first time in his career.

All the news surrounding J.A. Happ for most of the season has been debating where the Toronto Blue Jays will look to trade him at the trade deadline.

Being named to the 2018 MLB All-Star Game will now add some prestige to the left-handed pitcher as the Blue Jays try to

It is crazy to think that after tough years with the Houston Astros and his first stint with the Blue Jays, a short stint with the Pittsburgh Pirates reinvented his career.

When Toronto brought the 35-year-old back on a three-year $36 million deal it was met with a lot of scepticism but that quickly went away after a 20 win season where Happ posted a 3.18 ERA and finished sixth in AL CY Young voting.

Sportsnet’s Arden Zwelling reported that manager John Gibbons gave Happ the news after calling for a team meeting.

"“It couldn’t happen to a better guy,” Gibbons said to Zwelling. “He’s had a couple tough starts, he’s a little bit frustrated with that, and disappointed with that. But that had to make him feel good today. And he’s earned that. He hasn’t had anything given to him. I think he’ll be a great representation of the organization.“He’s the ultimate professional. He represents us really well. He’s a very good pitcher in this league, in a tough division. He’s the kind of guy you root for, you know? You root for them all, but there’s something special about him.”"

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Nobody on the team was more deserving to be chosen considering how the team has had to deal with injuries and inconsistent performers which is why Happ continues to be among the top targets at the trade deadline.

His rough outing against the New York Yankees might have impacted his value but his whole body of work this season speaks for itself as Zwelling points out.

"He’s made all of his starts and pitched to a 3.62 ERA through the end of June, posting a 9.8 K/9 and holding opposition hitters to a .211/.271/.356 line. The two rough outings he’s suffered in July have hurt those numbers, but he’s still been far and away Toronto’s best starter. The Blue Jays — currently 41-48 on the season — are 11-7 in games Happ starts."

Whether he can keep it up will be important to watch with only weeks before the July 31 deadline but Happ should enjoy the experience at the All-Star Game. There aren’t many players who get that honour especially a starting pitcher who goes up against two of the toughest lineups in the AL East.

Next: Cavan Biggio making strides in double-A

What do you think about Happ getting the All-Star Game nod? What do you think the rest of the season will look like for him? Let us know in the comments below. 

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