Photo by Cheryl Nichols/Nationals News Network

Reliever Matt Capps will be representing the Washington Nationals in the 2010 MLB All-Star game in Anaheim. This will be his first All-Star Game.

“You work your whole life for it,” Capps told The Washington Post’s Adam Kilgore. “To be voted on by the players, your peers and people you compete against, that makes it all the more special.”

The selection of Capps to the All-Star team is quite emotional for the pitcher having lost his father to a heart attack last October.

“It kind of hit me this morning when they told me,” Capps told Kilgore. “I wish he could see it. He’ll be with me.”

Capps is second in the major leagues with 22 saves this year.

The right-hander might not be the sole National representing Washington in sunny California for the mid-summer classic. The 2009 Gold Glove and Silver Slugger winner Ryan Zimmerman could be added to the roster at third base pending fan votes. National League team manager Charlie Manuel added Zimmerman to the Final Vote fan ballot along with Heath Bell (Padres), Carlos Gonzalez (Rockies), Joey Votto (Reds), Billy Wagner (Braves).

To vote, visit the MLB website before Thursday at 4 p.m.

Rachel Levitin

Rachel moved to DC in the fall of 2005 to study Journalism and Music at American University. When she’s not keeping up with the latest Major League Baseball news, she works on making music as an accomplished singer-songwriter and was even a featured performer/speaker at TEDxDupont Circle in 2012. Rachel has also contributed to The Washington Examiner and MASN Sports’ Nationals Buzz as a guest blogger. See why she loves DC. E-Mail: rachel@welovedc.com.