July 2 -- HEY NOW, YOU'RE AN ALL-STAR

HOUSTON -- Here we are, y'all, deep in the heart of Texas for a three-game series between the Phils and Astros. But, before we get to that, let's review yesterday's All-Star announcement.

Aaron Rowand had planned to spend his All-Star break by taking his family to Las Vegas, where they have a house they've barely seen since he signed with the Phils before last season. That plan has changed. Rowand will be headed to San Francisco to play in his first All-Star Game. Considering he was 20th among NL outfielders in the fan balloting, he wasn't expecting to be picked, even though he's having the best season of his seven-year career. And he wasn't selected in the player balloting, either. But, clearly, Cardinals manager Tony La Russa has been paying attention. Rowand was one of seven players tabbed by La Russa for the team, and judging by his reaction, he was touched by the recognition.

"I never expected to make an All-Star team, never got my hopes up for it," said Rowand, who ranks third among NL outfielders in batting average (.312) and on-base percentage (.390) and is tied for fourth in hits (94) and runs (50). "To be able to be a part of it is a blessing. Look at what we get to do every day. Then, I was lucky enough to win a World Series [with the White Sox in 2005], and I want to win another. I couldn't ask for anything better in my life."

It's refreshing to hear an athlete say that, isn't it?

*
Cole Hamels and Chase Utley also made the All-Star team. Utley's selection hardly was a surprise. Not only is he the best second baseman in the NL (by far), he also was leading the fan balloting by a wide margin. A few weeks ago, Hamels looked like a lock. But three straight subpar outings made him sweat it out. "I definitely thought I blew it this past month," he said. "I haven't been pitching up to par."

*
Kyle Kendrick came up huge yesterday, didn't he? Say what you want, but this kid has some guts. He's been pitching through a groin injury that caused him to work from the stretch without runners on base in the seventh inning.

*
Landed in Houston about two hours ago and heard from the Phillies that lefty reliever Matt Smith will miss the rest of the season (and half of next season) because he needs Tommy John elbow surgery. Here's a look at how Smith was pitching at triple-A Ottawa.