Rockies first baseman Justin Morneau lost out to Anthony Rizzo of the Cubs in the National League All-Star Final Vote, Major League Baseball announced on Thursday, but the veteran slugger will participate in the Home Run Derby after being selected by teammate Troy Tulowitzki.
Morneau finished shy of the 8.8 million votes garnered by Rizzo despite some seriously strong tweeting by the Rockies, their public relations staff and fans. While the 33-year-old Canadian won't be an All-Star unless he winds up as an injury replacement, he will partake in the festivities held in the city he called home for a decade thanks to the captain of the NL's derby squad.
The Rockies' public relations staff earlier today released a quick statement from Morneau on Twitter:
"I just want to say thank you to all of the Rockies, Twins and Morneau fans who spent so much time voting. It was a very humbling experience. Thank you. See you at the derby."
Morneau finished ahead of Justin Upton, Anthony Rendon and Casey McGehee in the voting. He'll join Tulowitzki, Giancarlo Stanton, Yasiel Puig and Todd Frazier on the NL Home Run Derby team.