July 6, 2004
EVANSTON, Ill. - On Sunday July 4, San Diego Padre second baseman and former Northwestern shortstop Mark Loretta received an invitation to compete in Major League Baseball's annual All-Star Game. This will be Loretta's first All-Star appearance in his 11th season as a big leaguer.
Houston's Jeff Kent was voted in by the fans to start at second base. But Loretta was recognized for his solid all-around play by his peers who voted him in via the player ballot to add him to the squad for the 75th All-Star Game at Minute Maid Park in Houston on Tuesday, July 13.
"That does make me feel good," Loretta said to MLB.com of the player vote. "I was very happy to hear that. That's really special."
Three-time All-Star David Wells said there couldn't be a better representative for the Padres.
"Ballplayers know what is going on," Wells said. "They want their own teammates to go but when a guy is having a season like that, the way he's been playing offensively and defensively, you can't help but vote for a guy like that."
The 32-year old Loretta is hitting .320, and was hottest in April when he hit .330 and again in June when he hit .343. His batting average and on-base percentage (.367) are the highest among NL second basemen with at least 250 at-bats. Loretta has also scored more runs overall (55) and has more doubles (26), than any other player at the position in the league.
"He deserves it," Ryan Klesko said. "A lot of guys over the years have had pretty good years and didn't get picked and Mark is one of those guys who has hit the ball really well over the course of his career. We're happy for him."
Loretta began his tear in June of last year and hasn't slowed since, establishing himself among the elite at his position and is tied with Reds first baseman Sean Casey for the most multi-hit games in the NL this season with 32.
"I couldn't feel happier for Mark Loretta," manager Bruce Bochy said. "It's his first All-Star appearance and well deserved, well earned. He's done such a tremendous job here in San Diego. He had a great year last year and continued where he left off. He deserves to be on it."
With just two second basemen to represent the NL in Houston, Loretta is certain to log significant time in the All-Star Game as the lone Padre.
"I thought there would be at least more than one on a team that is contending," Loretta said. "But the voting isn't based solely on how guys are doing or how teams are doing. The fans deserve to see who they want to see and after that it is pretty subjective depending on manager's needs. But there were several guys (from the Padres) who could have been chosen along with me."
As NU's last first-team All-America selection, Loretta played in 211 games with his best season coming in 1993 when he hit a team-leading .408 and was named Big Ten Player of the Year. He ranks among the top ten in nearly every significant offensive category, and his 239 career hits ranks second in Wildcat annals.
MLB.com contributed to this story.