Zack Wheeler is making headlines with his decision to stand firm.
The star pitcher for the Phillies has voiced his disappointment after being initially overlooked for the All-Star Game held at his home field. Despite a belated invitation from Major League Baseball, Wheeler opted to skip the event, expressing that he felt “disrespected” and didn’t want to be seen as merely a “fifth option.”
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Wheeler conveyed his feelings candidly, as reported by The Athletic. “They disrespected me, so I’m not going to participate,” he stated.
While Wheeler takes a stand, six other Phillies players—Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Jesus Luzardo, Brandon Marsh, Christopher Sanchez, and Jhoan Duran—are set to represent the team at the July 14 showcase at Citizens Bank Park. Despite his impressive 2.28 ERA across 14 starts since returning from thoracic outlet syndrome, Wheeler was initially left out of the All-Star lineup.
Adding to his impressive season, Wheeler (9-1) recently struck out 14 batters, allowing just one run over seven innings in a victorious outing against Cincinnati.
“I felt like that was a reminder for whoever needs to be reminded,” Wheeler said after the win. “It pisses me off. It’s kind of BS. Maybe if I wasn’t necessarily right in [the All-Star mix], I wouldn’t be saying this. But I feel like I’ve earned it.”
Wheeler, 36, is a three-time All-Star. Each of those selections came after the Mets showed virtually no interest in him after the 2019 season, allowing Philadelphia to steal a right-hander from their rivals who would become one of baseball’s best pitchers.
All these years later, the disrespect continues.
“I 100 percent believe he was snubbed from being an All-Star,” former Phillies star Jimmy Rollins said, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. “We’ve seen the guys they want to make stars come up and have five starts and become an All-Star because they have a name for themselves. Zack Wheeler has been doing it for a while and part of being an All-Star is having a reputation of being a great starter, that he is. He’s been Cy Young second place for a number of years. The guy over in Pittsburgh [Paul Skenes] is pretty good so we understand that.
“But for him to not be in the All-Stars, especially in this city, coming back with nine wins in the first half, that’s a pretty tough pill to swallow. And if I’m him I would be pissed.
“But I would want to make sure if I’m him, I’m taking it out on everyone who had a chance to vote me in.”