Paul Goldschmidt will start at 1B for the National League

Jul 4, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (44) hits a two run home run against the Atlanta Braves during the third inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The All Star selections were announced tonight on ESPN and Dbacks nation has accomplished something that they have been trying to do for the last 70 days. Diamondbacks 1B Paul Goldschmidt will start at first base for the National League. Its his second straight all star selection and it will be his first start.

Goldschmidt has been one of the lone bright spots in what otherwise has been a disappointing season for the Dbacks filled with injuries and under-performances. Goldschmidt thanks to all the loyal fans in the desert won the fan voting. He was losing to Adrian Gonzalez at the start, but he got a strong push and stayed on top. Goldschmidt is the first Dbacks position player to be named an All Star starter since Luis Gonzalez in 2001.

Goldschmidt talked about being named a all star starter with MLB.com: “It speaks more to the fans than anything I’ve done,” Goldschmidt said. “They were out voting and at our stadium voting and online voting and everything else. Some of the stories I’ve heard, where fans are voting tons of times, I’m definitely thankful for the support that they had and just grateful for that.”

Dbacks Manager Kirk Gibson also talked about Goldschmidt being named an all star starter: “I’m sure it’s going to be another one of many,” D-backs manager Kirk Gibson said. “He’s a great choice. There’s conversations that are going to go on about whether certain guys were the right choices or not. Paul won’t be one of them. The consensus is he’s earned it. We’ll be excited to see him play.”

Goldschmidt has picked up right where he left off last season when he was the runner up in the N.L MVP voting. Many thought he should have been N.L MVP and he is proving why this season. He is ranked among the offensive leaders in the N.L in all the major categories. So far this season he is batting .306 with 15 HR and 56 RBI’s.

Congrats to Goldy on being named an All Star starter, he clearly deserves it.