The Official Site of Hanley Ramirez

Wed, Jul 14th 2010, 09:50

JJ, Hanley enjoy this All-Star Game the most

Marlins right-hander Josh Johnson was able to participate in the All-Star festivities for the second consecutive year, but he calls this year the best for two reasons.

He was able to watch teammate Hanley Ramirez finish second behind Red Sox slugger David Ortiz in the State Farm Home Run Derby on Monday. During the contest, Johnson’s wife wanted to leave because their son was getting restless, but the pitcher stuck around until the end.

“I said, ‘We have to stay here,’” Johnson said. “My son was getting a little restless — running around and going crazy — but it was good that Hanley did a great job for the organization.”

The second reason was that Johnson also was able to pitch in the Midsummer Classic, the first time he was able to make an appearance. He pitched two perfect innings as the National League defeated the American League, 3-1, at Angel Stadium. The victory broke the NL’s 13-game losing streak against the AL. Braves catcher Brian McCann highlighted the scoring with a three-run double in the seventh.

“He has been doing it all year,” Johnson said about McCann. “I’ve seen him do it a lot of times to us. It’s good to be on this side and have him do it for our team.”

Johnson wasn’t able to pitch in last year’s All-Star Game because he pitched the Sunday before the game.

“Last year, they told me pretty much that I wasn’t going in,” Johnson said. “The coaching staff told me that if something crazy happened — like the game going 15 innings — [that was the only way I was going to play]. I knew going in I wouldn’t pitch.

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