Harper replaces Stanton on NL All-Star roster

Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper has been named by 2012 National League All-Star manager Tony La Russa to replace Miami Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton on the N.L.'s active roster for the 83rd All-Star Game, Major League Baseball announced today. Stanton, a first-time All-Star, will be inactive for the All-Star Game due to a right knee injury. Harper entered Saturday with a .283 batting average, eight home runs, 25 RBI and 42 runs scored in his 61 games played. The 19-year-old Harper, who was born on October 16, 1992, becomes the third youngest Major League All-Star ever and the youngest All-Star position player in history. The only two players in baseball history who were younger in a Midsummer Classic were Dwight Gooden (the youngest All-Star ever; born 11/16/64; 1984 All-Star Game was 7/10/84) and Hall of Famer Bob Feller (born 11/3/18; 1938 ASG was 7/6/38). Previously, the youngest position player in a Midsummer Classic was Minnesota Twins catcher Butch Wynegar (born 3/14/56; 1976 ASG was 7/13/76). The American League now has three rookies on its roster (Ryan Cook, Yu Darvish and Mike Trout), while Harper joins Wade Miley as rookies on the N.L. roster. Combined, the five rookies set a single-year All-Star Game record, eclipsing the previous mark of four, set in 2001 (Albert Pujols, Jimmy Rollins, Ben Sheets and Ichiro Suzuki) and again in 2003 (Lance Carter, Mike MacDougal, Hideki Matsui and Dontrelle Willis). At 20 years and 11+ months old, Angels rookie Trout is the seventh-youngest A.L. position player in All-Star history behind Wynegar (20 years, 4 months in 1976); Ken Griffey, Jr. (20 years, 7.6 months in 1990); Ivan Rodriguez (20 years, 7.6 months in 1992); Mickey Mantle (20 years, 8.6 months in 1952); Al Kaline (20 years, 9.7 months in 1955); and Claudell Washington (20 years, 10.5 months in 1975). Other announcements regarding the All-Star rosters will be made as they become available. The current American League and National League All-Star rosters accompany this press release. The 2012 All-Star Game will be played at Kauffman Stadium on Tuesday, July 10th. The 83rd All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports; in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS; and worldwide by partners in more than 200 countries via MLB International's independent feed. Pregame ceremonies will begin at 8:00 p.m. (EDT)/7:00 p.m. (local). ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide exclusive national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network, MLB.com and SiriusXM also will provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com or royals.com/2012.