By Drew Olson Special to OnMilwaukee.com Published Jul 09, 2006 at 12:02 PM
Brewers left-hander Chris Capuano has been added to the National League all-star team as a replacement for New York Mets lefty Tom Glavine, Major League Baseball announced today.

Capuano finished second in fan balloting for the final spot on the squad, then was passed over for Houston pitcher Roy Oswalt when Mets righty Pedro Martinez backed out with an injury.

Here is an excerpt from the Brewers' press release announcing the news:

"Capuano has put together one of the finest seasons of any pitcher in the Major Leagues this year, going 10-4 with a 3.21 ERA in 19 starts.  He leads the majors with 17 quality starts, including 11 in a row to begin the season, and entered today’s games ranked among the National League leaders in innings pitched (2nd, 129.0), wins (T3rd) and strikeouts (4th, 112).

Capuano’s 2006 highlights include being named National League Player of the Week for April 24-30 and being selected Brewers Pitcher of the Month in each of the first three months of the season.  On April 30 at Wrigley Field, Capuano recorded the first complete game and shutout of his career as he surrendered just five hits in the Brewers’ 9-0 victory (0bb, 6k).  He duplicated the feat in his last start on July 6 vs. Chicago, tossing a six-hit shutout in the Brewers’ 2-0 victory (0bb, 6k).

Capuano joins outfielder Carlos Lee and closer Derrick Turnbow as National League All-Stars, marking the first time since 1983 that the Brewers have had at least three representatives in the All-Star Game.  First baseman Cecil Cooper, outfielder Ben Oglivie, catcher Ted Simmons and shortstop Robin Yount represented the club in the Midsummer Classic in 1983.

One of five candidates in the Monster 2006 All-Star Final Vote, Capuano seemingly missed out on this opportunity as he finished second in the voting to Dodgers first-baseman Nomar Garciaparra.  Also on the ballot were outfielder Bobby Abreu (Phillies), left-handed closer Billy Wagner (Mets) and right-handed starter Chris Young (Padres).  He missed his second chance at an All-Star spot when Astros right-handed starter Roy Oswalt was selected to replace Mets right-handed starter Pedro Martinez on Friday."

 
Drew Olson Special to OnMilwaukee.com

Host of “The Drew Olson Show,” which airs 1-3 p.m. weekdays on The Big 902. Sidekick on “The Mike Heller Show,” airing weekdays on The Big 920 and a statewide network including stations in Madison, Appleton and Wausau. Co-author of Bill Schroeder’s “If These Walls Could Talk: Milwaukee Brewers” on Triumph Books. Co-host of “Big 12 Sports Saturday,” which airs Saturdays during football season on WISN-12. Former senior editor at OnMilwaukee.com. Former reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.