PHILADELPHIA -- Nationals outfielder Jose Guillen said he was not surprised that he did not make the National League All-Star team this year, but he said the snub reminded him how he was overlooked from the squad in 2003, when he was a member of the Reds. Teammate Aaron Boone received the invite to Chicago instead.
At the break that year, Guillen was hitting .337 with 18 home runs and 49 RBIs, while his teammate was hitting .261 with 16 home runs and 56 RBIs.
"Two years ago, everybody congratulated me," Guillen said. "I had some of the best numbers on the team. They took the guy who hit around .260. I have a lot of respect for this game; I just don't think they treat people fairly."
Entering Saturday's action, Guillen was hitting .313 with 17 home runs and 49 RBIs for the Nationals. He said he wanted to be selected to the All-Star squad, but he understands that there are other outfielders in the National League who have better numbers and that every team must have a representative.
"Unfortunately, it happened again. Look at the numbers and tell me I don't deserve to be at the All-Star Game," Guillen said. "I have to keep battling and keep playing the way I'm playing. One day people are going to recognize that I'm the real deal."