Nationals Third Baseman Ryan Zimmerman Is Selected to First All-Star Team

When Manager Manny Acta got word of Ryan Zimmerman's honor, he summoned Washington's third baseman to his office. For a moment, though, Zimmerman worried.

"I didn't even know, to tell you the truth, that they did the stuff today," he said. "I thought I was in trouble when I went into his office."

Zimmerman, instead, received word about his selection to play in this year's All-Star Game, scheduled for July 14 in St. Louis. Acta, and others in Washington's front office, shared an immediate awareness of what Zimmerman's selection meant. The 24-year-old will represent, for the first time, the franchise that drafted him.

For several years now -- but especially since he signed a five-year, $45 million contract extension in April -- Zimmerman has stood as the central piece of the Nationals' rebuilding plan. Zimmerman's status as an all-star, the organization feels, helps validate his worthiness of that role.

"The kid has been recognized now, and I hope this is the start of a stretch of maybe 10, 15 years for him," Acta said.

Though Washington had just one player selected, it had several marginal candidates, each with drawbacks.

Zimmerman had his 30-game hitting streak, but since May 13 he's batting .240, and he's also among the league leaders in errors. Adam Dunn has 22 homers, with a better-than-expected .265 batting average, but he's also a liability in the field. Cristian Guzmán has maintained a steady offensive pace, with a .318 average, but his game is built on lots of singles and few walks.

"The year [Zimmerman] is having, he should be recognized for it," Dunn said.

Zimmerman, who finished third in fan voting at his position, is one of just two third basemen on the National League squad. New York's David Wright will start. Zimmerman earned his spot on the roster by way of the player ballot, an assemblage of votes from players, managers and coaches.

"That's almost the ultimate amount of respect from the people you play against, for them to vote you in," Zimmerman said.

Guzmán is among five players who still can be voted in as part of Major League Baseball's "final vote," chosen exclusively by online fan voting. Five players from each league are competing for the final roster spot.

Guzmán is on a ballot with Matt Kemp (Dodgers), Mark Reynolds (Diamondbacks), Pablo Sandoval (Giants) and Shane Victorino (Phillies). Guzmán, last year's Washington representative, felt no burning desire to win the vote.

"I don't care if I go or not go," he said. "I've gone twice already I want to take my three days off and have a very good second half."