Could Orioles have two players at All-Star Game?

Phase 1 of the All-Star voting concludes this afternoon at 4 p.m., which leads into Phase 2 and eventually the big reveal.

The smoke will be black and orange if Cedric Mullins is chosen.

The Orioles aren't expected to have a starter unless it's due to an injury. However, Mullins would be a massive snub if he isn't a reserve for the American League.

Heading into last night's game against the Astros, Mullins was slashing .310/.379/.538 with 18 doubles, three triples, 13 home runs and 12 stolen bases. His 86 hits ranked second in the American League, and he was robbed of one Tuesday night on Myles Straw's diving catch that resulted in a sacrifice fly.

No center fielder in the majors had more hits or a higher average than Mullins, and his 18 doubles and .917 OPS ranked second.

The 87th hit and 19th double arrived last night in the first inning. Mullins was 1-for-3 before Austin Hays replaced him in a 13-0 loss.

"I hope he keeps doing what he's doing," manager Brandon Hyde said yesterday during batting practice. "He's playing at an All-Star level, and to come as far as he's come in two years is amazing. It just shows you the work ethic that he has and how much time he's put in, the adversity he's dealt with. He's playing with a ton of confidence right now and I just want him to keep his confidence up and continue playing the way he's playing."

The top nine outfielders move on to the second round and Mullins has slipped into the ninth spot.

"Incredible, incredible. Just unbelievable what he's been able to do," outfielder Anthony Santander said via interpreter Ramón Alarcón.

"At the same time, I'm not (surprised) because I remember when I first joined the organization I was able to see him firsthand and I saw the talent that he had and I joke with him all the time that he, (Austin) Hays and me, we're going to be the future of this organization. So just so happy for him. Great guy. And he's doing extremely well and helping us."

An All-Star?

Santander tilted back his head, laughed and didn't wait for the translation.

"Oh, easy!" he said.

Much harder is having two representatives from a team that holds the second-worst record in baseball.

Trey Mancini fell to sixth in voting for first basemen, and the top three advance to the next round. He's also deserving of the honor and there wouldn't be a better story than the inclusion of a player who beat Stage 3 colon cancer, who wondered a year ago if he'd live, let alone play baseball again, let alone lead the team with 14 home runs, 52 RBIs and 41 runs and rank second in several other categories.

"We've got a couple guys who are playing at an All-Star level," Hyde said this week, "and it would be great to see a couple Orioles in Denver."

ESPN sent a crew to Camden Yards yesterday to do a piece on Mancini's candidacy and comeback, including interviews with Hyde and a few teammates.

Every team has to be represented, which is supposed to increase fan interest. Tune in to watch your one guy get introduced to the crowd and sit on the bench or in the bullpen. But it also robs more deserving players.

This isn't 2010 Ty Wigginton in Anaheim - a common and, for him, unfortunate example often used in this type of discussion. At age 32 and playing in his fifth organization, traded and cut twice, Wigginton batted .248/.312/.415 with 29 doubles, 22 home runs and 76 RBIs in 154 games. He had a .252 average, .768 OPS and 14 home runs in the first half.

There certainly have been more dubious selections, but Wigginton, who played for three more teams over the next three years, doesn't make it without the rule.

John Means earned it in 2019, though he didn't pitch, and Mancini should have gone, too. Manny Machado was the starting shortstop in 2018 and second baseman Jonathan Schoop was a reserve in 2017.

The last multi-player year for the Orioles was 2016 with Machado (third base), reserves Mark Trumbo and Matt Wieters and relievers Zack Britton and Brad Brach.

The last year that the Orioles had exactly two representatives was 2000 with starter Cal Ripken Jr. and reserve Mike Bordick. Ripken didn't attend due to a back injury.

You'd have to go back to 1993 to find the last time that two Orioles were chosen and able to attend - Ripken and pitcher Mike Mussina at Camden Yards. Mussina warmed on his own and didn't pitch, and fans never forgave manager Cito Gaston, who, in turn, was mad at Mussina for throwing and showing him up.

Ripken and reliever Gregg Olson were sent to the 1990 All-Star Game at Wrigley Field. Ripken, of course, started at shortstop. Olson stayed in the bullpen until it was time to dress and go home. And no longer would be confused with Braves catcher Greg Olson, who also was in Chicago for the festivities.

Which brings us to the last time that two Orioles were selected, able to attend AND participated. Since I'm milking this subject so much, I should put a bucket underneath it.

Ripken was voted into the 1989 All-Star Game in Anaheim and catcher Mickey Tettleton was a reserve. And I ask, why not?

The future Hall of Famer went 1-for-3 with a double before Tony Fernandez pinch-ran for him. Tettleton struck out in his only at-bat after replacing Terry Steinbach, but his biceps won a car.