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Merrifield considers himself 2018 All-Star: 'Altuve took my spot'

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Kansas City Royals super-utility man Whit Merrifield was not an All-Star in 2018, and he believes the Houston Astros' illegal sign-stealing operation cost him a spot.

"I'm going to consider myself an All-Star with all this stuff that's come out (about the Astros) because Jose Altuve took my spot that game," Merrifield told Clubhouse Conversation. "So we'll put an asterisk by 2018, and on top of it, we'll go ahead and throw in a Silver Slugger (which Altuve won) for good measure."

In 2018, Altuve started for the American League All-Star team at second base. Merrifield, who played the majority of his games at second that season, missed out on the contest entirely despite posting strong numbers.

2018 first-half stats

Player G H 2B HR SB OPS
Whit Merrifield 91 109 30 5 17 .812
Jose Altuve 99 129 23 9 14 .865

Merrifield did get his All-Star Game wish in 2019, appearing in the exhibition for the first time.

The Astros were recently penalized for their illegal sign-stealing by Major League Baseball, although the punishment was specifically for actions during the 2017 campaign.

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