Bears News: It's official: Willson Contreras named NL All-Star starter |
CHICAGO – Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras today was named the starting catcher of the 2022 National League All-Star team via the fan vote. The 92nd Major League Baseball All-Star Game will be played on Tuesday, July 19 at Los Angeles’ Dodger Stadium.
Contreras will make his third career All-Star Game start and appearance after he was voted as a starter in both 2018 and 2019. He will join Gabby Hartnett (1934, 1936-37) as the only catchers in Cubs history to make three All-Star Game starts. Contreras will be the 10th player in Cubs history to make at least three starts in an All-Star Game along with Ernie Banks, Andre Dawson, Stan Hack, Hartnett, Billy Herman, Don Kessinger, Ryne Sandberg, Ron Santo and Sammy Sosa. In 2018-19, Contreras became the fourth N.L. catcher to start the game in consecutive seasons in the last 25 years, joining Buster Posey (2015-17), Yadier Molina (2009-10) and Mike Piazza (1994-99, 2001-02, 2004-05). Contreras remains only the fourth Cubs catcher to make the squad in the last 40 years, joining Geovany Soto (starter in 2008), Joe Girardi (2000) and Jody Davis (1984, 1986). This season through games of July 7, Contreras leads N.L. catchers in hits (71), runs (46), doubles (17), walks (35), average (.274), on-base percentage (.392), slugging percentage (.498) and OPS (.890), while his 13 homers are tied for the most and his 35 RBI are tied for third. His .392 OBP is the third-highest among all National League players and his .890 OPS ranks eighth. The remainder of the National League All-Star team will be announced on Sunday, July 10, at 4:30 p.m. CT.
