Kyle Schwarber’s topsy-turvy summer continued on Sunday with a significant career milestone.
The lefty slugger became the first former Hoosier to be named a Major League Baseball All-Star since Mickey Morandini in 1995.
Schwarber crushed 16 home runs during the month of June, leading the Majors and earning June National League player of the month honors. Twelve of those homers came in a 10-game span from June 19-29, tying Albert Belle in 1995 for the most home runs in any 10-game span in MLB history.
All 16 of his home runs in June came in an 18-game span, tying the record set by Sammy Sosa in 1998 and matched by Barry Bonds in 2001. On the season Schwarber is hitting .253 with 25 home runs and 53 runs batted in. His June surge largely corresponded to a move by Nationals manager Davey Martinez to place Schwarber at the top of the batting order.
But Schwarber is unlikely to participate in the All-Star game on July 13 at slugger’s paradise Coors Field in Denver. He suffered what has been characterized as a serious hamstring strain on Friday that is expected to keep him out of action for a while. He is currently on the 10-day injured list.
Overall Schwarber is the fourth former IU player to be named an All-Star. Along with Morandini, Ted Kluszewski achieved the honor four times and most recently in 1956, and Pinky May was a 1940 All-Star. Schwarber’s 146 career home runs are second most by a former Hoosier. He trails Kluzewski who clubbed 279.
After the most powerful month in Nats history…
… Kyle Schwarber earns his 1st All-Star selection!#NATITUDE pic.twitter.com/YAVhqInSSG
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) July 4, 2021
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