mlb.com
July 1, 2002

Morris to Return to All-Star Game

By Jared Hoffman

ST. LOUIS -- Matt Morris is honored to be selected as one of the National League All-Stars but he wishes he wasn't making the trip from St. Louis to Milwaukee by himself.

"I don't think I'm the only one that should be going that's for sure," said Morris. "I think Jimmy (Edmonds) deserves to go. I think Albert (Pujols) deserves to go. I think even Edgar (Renteria) and (Fernando) Viña should have had a chance to go but all of those guys had a lot to do with me being selected so this is more of a team thing, but unfortunately I'm the only one who is going to represent us.

Morris is coming off a bad start Sunday in which he was given a 6-0 lead in the first inning but was only able to go five innings and he allowed five runs.

Despite the rough start, Morris is 10-5 with a 3.27 ERA and is fifth in the NL with 106 strikeouts.

Manager Tony LaRussa said Morris' selection is well-deserved. "He has risen to the occasion over and over and over again," said LaRussa. He's on par with the rest of the good pitchers in the league. He's high quality."

Morris doesn't see making the All-Star team as one of his goals for the season but it could be a signpost that he is on his way to achieving some of his other goals.

"I'm trying to measure myself with consistency," said Morris. "Last year, I had a bunch of wins and I'm not trying to duplicate that so much but I want to be up around that same level and set the bar there and keep it there."

As a pitcher, Morris was not selected by the fans but rather by Arizona manager Bob Brenly, who also receives input from around the league -- something that makes it a true honor for Morris.

"The ultimate is having guys you play with or against that choose you as one of the elite in the league," said Morris. "It doesn't count in the standings but it's an honor to be up there and be around those guys."

This will be Morris' second career All-Star selection and the second consecutive year he has been chosen to represent the NL. He pitched one scoreless inning last year at Seattle. Morris' biggest memory wasn't pitching in the game, but rather standing next to honorary All-Star Tony Gwynn during the pregame introductions.

"Just to be around that guy and how respectful and generous he is to people (was great)," said Morris. "A lot of attention was on him in the last one and to stand next to him and be a part of it -- so to speak -- it was fun."

For Morris, the excitement of going to the All-Star Game is still there but some of the butterflies will be gone this time.
Commissioner Bud Selig's online chat from FanFest in Milwaukee

"To go back to my second All-Star Game is definitely an honor," said Morris. "It's a bit more casual. It's baseball still, but it's not as intense as winning or losing right now. It should be a fun atmosphere. I'm a little more comfortable. Last year, I was really nervous because I didn't know what to expect or do so this year should be fun."

LaRussa was hoping the Cardinals would be sending at least one more All-Star. "When I was doing the math, I thought we had a shot to put on another guy at least," said LaRussa, who emphasized he was not being critical in any way of Brenly. "I don't want to sound like sour grapes because believe me it's a tough process."

There's a still a chance Morris won't be the only Cardinal going to Milwaukee. Outfielder/third baseman Albert Pujols is one of five NL players fans can vote for on MLB.com as the 30th man. Voting ends at 5 p.m. CT on Tuesday and the winner will be announced 30 minutes later.