The 2012 MLB All-Star game is right around the corner and the Detroit Tigers are certainly well-represented. Justin Verlander has been one of the best pitchers in the game over the last couple years, earning multiple awards and an appearance on the cover of a video game, and now he's going to play in his fifth All-Star Game.
More than that, it's now official that Verlander will be starting for the American League, according to Jon Morosi on Twitter:
Justin Verlander and Matt Cain are on the dais. Official.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 9, 2012
As noted by Rick Thompson on Twitter, Verlander is the seventh pitcher in Tigers history to start the All-Star Game, and he's joining some excellent company. Kenny Rogers (2006), Jack Morris (1981, '85), Mark Fidrych (1976), Denny McLain (1966), Jim Bunning (1957) and Hal Newhouser (1947) are those other pitchers.
Also of particular note is that another Tigers player, Prince Fielder, will bat No. 5 in the lineup for the American League, as noted by Jason Beck on Twitter.
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