Holliday, Peralta elected by fans to start in All-Star Game for first time in careers

Matt Holliday and Jhonny Peralta have a long list of major-league accomplishments.

But the St. Louis Cardinals players each enjoyed a first Sunday when they were selected to start for the National League in the All-Star Game on July 14 in Cincinnati.

It will be the seventh All-Star Game for the 35-year-old Holliday, including his fourth with the Cardinals. Peralta, 33, is an All-Star for the third time, his first with the Cardinals.

Joining Holliday as starters in the NL outfield were Washington’s Bryce Harper and Miami’s Giancarlo Stanton. Stanton, however, is injured and will not play in the game. Pittsburgh’s Andrew McCutchen is a leading candidate to replace Stanton.

Holliday, batting .303 with three home runs and 26 RBIs in 52 games, has been on the disabled list since June 9 with a strained right quadriceps. But he is expected to return to action this week during the series in Pittsburgh and plans to play in the All-Star Game.

“It’s quite an honor to be voted in by the fans,” Holliday said Sunday after the Cardinals defeated San Diego 3-1 at Busch Stadium. “I’m extremely grateful and excited about it. I’m thankful for all the fans that voted for me. It’s very humbling and honoring that the fans would vote me in. It’s new and it’s great.”

Regarding his return, Holliday said: “I’m getting there.”

“I’ve got a few more hurdles to clear with my running,” he said. “But I feel like I’m getting pretty close.”

Holliday reached base safely in 45 consecutive games to start the season, setting an NL record.

“That great streak he was on, the kind of start he’s had, it’s just a great compliment to a great start of the season,” Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. “It’s been an extra motivation for Matt to continue to hurry up and get back in there. The All-Star Game means a lot to him. He was as excited as a guy that’s never been there before.”

Holliday said he knew finishing in the top three was a possibility for him since the vote totals were updated on a regular basis. He didn’t track them closely, but he had a support staff.

“My two boys (paid attention) and they kept me up to date on what was going on,” Holliday said, referring to Jackson, 11, and Ethan, 8. “I don’t think anybody was more excited them. They’re ready. They love this kind of thing. They’re at the age where it’s really fun for them.”

Peralta is batting .297 with 19 doubles, 11 home runs and 42 RBIs in 79 games.

“I feel pretty proud to be a selection to represent the National League. I want to say thank you to the fans,” Peralta said. “Right now, I feel really happy. When Mike (Matheny) told me this morning, I felt pretty excited. Every guy congratulated me. This is a moment where you feel pretty good. I’m excited to go (to Cincinnati).”

Peralta said he didn’t follow the vote totals as they were released.

“I don’t try to pay attention to a lot of that because I tried to be focused on the games here,” Peralta said. “It feels pretty good to be in this situation.”

Matheny said Peralta’s consistency stands out in a season in which the Cardinals have reached the halfway point with the best record in the major leagues at 53-28.

“He’s put together so much like a Carlos Beltran,” Matheny said. “You just know what you’re going to get every day. The consistency in his approach, the production and the way he goes about his business, he’s an absolute pro. He’s been a joy to watch and a joy to have on our club.”

Peralta was satisfied with his first season in St. Louis last year, when he batted .263 with 38 doubles, 21 homers and 75 RBIs in 157 games. But he said during the winter and again in spring training that he believed he could improve on that performance.

Peralta has realized that goal.

“So far, yeah,” he said. “From the beginning, how I started, I’ve been feeling pretty good. I’ve tried to be ready every day in the field and do my job.”

Holliday said Peralta’s selection by the fans was “awesome.”

“He’s had a great season,” Holliday said. “He was pretty much a no-doubter. Whether he was voted in or not, he was going to be in it.”

Peralta’s career was tarnished in 2013 when he served a 50-game suspension for PED use while playing with the Detroit Tigers. But he has been a quiet leader and a consistent performer since signing a four-year, $53 million contract with the Cardinals on Nov. 24, 2013.

“He still, every once in a while, takes a shot for that,” Matheny said. “We all live with decisions that we make. Jhonny has handled that situation probably as well as anybody possibly could. He’s just gone about his business and really tried to find a new home here and start over. I think he’s done that. The guys appreciate everything he does and how he goes about it, and I think our fans do, too.”

Remaining All-Stars will be announced at 6 p.m. Monday, and Matheny expects the Cardinals to have at least a couple more representatives. Closer Trevor Rosenthal, catcher Yadier Molina and right-hander Michael Wacha could earn a spot on the NL team.

Third baseman Matt Carpenter and right-handers Lance Lynn and Carlos Martinez also could merit consideration.

This story was originally published July 5, 2015 at 7:09 PM with the headline "Holliday, Peralta elected by fans to start in All-Star Game for first time in careers."