The moment Felipe Vazquez had been awaiting was more awkward than he would have liked.
When the Pirates entered the clubhouse following a 4-1 victory over the Phillies Sunday afternoon at PNC Park, Clint Hurdle gathered the entire team to announce that Vazquez, the club's closer for the past calendar year, was selected to play for the National League in the All-Star Game, which will be held July 17 in Washington.
Vazquez, who expected to be an All-Star last season, called the moment "tough" since he and most of the team expected either Francisco Cervelli or Corey Dickerson to be selected.
"I was thinking more about Dickerson, and Cervi was doing a pretty good job, so I was low key," Vazquez told reporters. "For me, being there by myself will be a little bit tough. I thought [Dickerson] or [Cervelli] were going to go. Now, I’m going by myself."
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