Alumni Athletics

July 7, 2017 | Athletic Communications

Former Husky to Start in MLB All-Star Game

George Springer is the third alum named to Mid-Summer Classic, following Walt Dropo of the Boston Red Sox in 1950 and Charles Nagy of the Cleveland Indians in 1996.

Former Husky George Springer.

Former Husky George Springer.

Former University of Connecticut baseball standout George Springer, now of the Houston Astros, was elected by fans as a starting outfielder for the American League in Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 11 at Marlins Park in Miami at 7:30 p.m. The game will be televised by Fox and heard on ESPN Radio.

Houston Astros right fielder George Springer in the dugout before a game against the Kansas City Royals game. (Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)
Houston Astros right fielder George Springer in the dugout before a game against the Kansas City Royals game. (Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)

Springer is joined in the American League starting outfield by Mike Trout of the Los Angles Angels of Anaheim and Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees.

Springer becomes the third former Husky to get a starting nod in an MLB All-Star game, joining first baseman Walt Dropo of the Boston Red Sox as a rookie in 1950 and pitcher Charles Nagy of the Cleveland Indians in 1996. Nagy also was on the 1992 and ’99 AL all-star teams.

“We are beyond proud of George, he has been an all-star in life for a long time now,” said head coach Jim Penders. “We are thrilled that the fans have selected him, he is well deserving of what we hope to be the first of many All-Star Game appearances for him. Next Tuesday night in Miami will be a great night for him, his family and for all of UConn nation. I can’t wait to see him perform on the biggest stage.”

Springer is currently batting .287 with 24 home runs and 52 RBI for the American League West-leading Astros. He is in his fourth major league season, breaking in with the Astros in 2014.

He was a first-round draft pick of the Astros in 2011 and was selected 11th overall as the Huskies were playing an NCAA tournament game in Clemson. UConn went on to win the Clemson Regional that year, and appeared in the NCAA Super Regionals for the first time in school history.

Springer was a first team All-American for the Huskies as a junior, and led the Huskies to two NCAA tournament appearances. He was the Big East Player of the Year in 2011.