For the first time in nearly 90 years, the Chicago Cubs will have two outfielders in the starting lineup at the All-Star Game.
Center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong and right fielder Kyle Tucker earned enough votes in the second phase of the process, which ran from Monday until 11 a.m. Wednesday, to be named National League starters for the Midsummer Classic on July 15 at Truist Park in Atlanta.
The last pair of Cubs outfielders to earn that honor was Frank Demaree and Augie Galan in 1936 — the fourth edition of the All-Star Game. This is the first time the Cubs have had two starters, regardless of position, since 2019 with catcher Willson Contreras and shortstop Javier Báez.
“Obviously they’ve performed in a way that they deserve that kind of recognition,” Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson said Wednesday about Crow-Armstrong and Tucker. “Two guys that are mainstays in our lineup, and it’s just really cool to see them get the appreciation that they deserve.”
Crow-Armstrong, 23, entered Wednesday night’s game against the Cleveland Guardians with 21 home runs, 62 RBIs, 25 stolen bases and a 136 OPS+ in his first full major-league season. He finished second in outfield voting (20% in the second phase) to the Atlanta Braves’ Ronald Acuña Jr. (21%).
Tucker, who was third in outfield voting (19%), had 17 homers, 52 RBIs, 20 steals and a 165 OPS+ entering Wednesday. It’s the fourth consecutive All-Star appearance — and first in the NL — for Tucker, 28, whom the Cubs acquired in an offseason trade with the Houston Astros.
Kosuke Fukudome in 2008 was the last Cubs outfielder to start in the All-Star Game; Dexter Fowler was voted as a starter in 2016, but an injury prevented him from playing.
Cubs catcher Carson Kelly also was a finalist to start but finished second to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Will Smith, who got 65% of the second-phase votes to Kelly’s 35%.
The Cubs could have additional All-Stars when reserves and pitchers are announced Sunday.