The Houston Astros had a nice gesture for the Oakland A’s lone All-Star.
The A’s are 32-61 and the worst team in the American League this season. So they only had one selection for the Midsummer Classic: Paul Blackburn. The team was going to send Blackburn to the All-Star Game in Los Angeles on a commercial flight, but the Astros decided to step in and help.
Houston offered to give Blackburn a lift to L.A. on their chartered flight. The idea worked naturally since the A’s were in Houston for a series against the Astros that ended Sunday. Plus, Houston had five players elected to the game, and their coaching staff went too.
“It was just brought to me and asked if I wanted to fly with them. And I said ‘yeah, if Dusty [Baker] would allow that, then yes, of course,'” Blackburn told FOX 26’s Mark Berman.
Blackburn appreciated the gesture from Houston.
“It’s awesome. It just kind of shows that within baseball, it’s kind of like a brotherhood,” Blackburn said.
Blackburn, 28, is in his sixth season in MLB and by far having his best year. He’s 6-5 with a 3.62 ERA this season.
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