LOS ANGELES —- Don’t get Huston Street wrong: he certainly wanted to pitch Tuesday to help commemorate his first selection to an All-Star game.
But National League manager Tony La Russa didn’t call his name out of the bullpen in an 8-0 win over the American League in Kansas City, and that’s just fine with the Padres’ first-year closer.
“Of course, I wanted to pitch, but I still enjoyed myself,” Street said before Friday’s game at Dodger Stadium. “I’m not going to sit here and complain about not pitching. I had a blast. now I have to sit here and figure out a way to get back so I can pitch.
“You look for things to be a motivate you, and that can be a motivator.”
Street was reportedly among the pitchers that La Russa was holding in reserve for a potential extra-inning contest, which was news to Street. he threw 25 pitches in a scoreless inning Sunday, the second-most he’s thrown in an appearance all season, but said he wasn’t told that he was unavailable for the game —- by La Russa or the Padres.
Either way, Street wasn’t stressing the day off. Instead, he was enjoying the media day sessions, the home run derby and the meet-and-greets with guys he rarely sees up close. Among his highlights were delivering a congratulations to the Cardinals’ David Freese, last year’s World Series MVP, and partaking in what’s likely Chipper Jones’ final All-Star game.
Then there’s the All-Star bonus he said he ran through quickly while picking up souvenirs for family, friends and teammates back with the Padres.
“I bought everything,” Street said. “I got hats and shirts and fleeces and everything —- extra jerseys for some friends who might want some. That’s what it’s all about to me —- sharing it.”
A batting practice jersey signed by the National League squad, another signed by most of the American League players and a team bat and ball. Collecting isn’t his thing at the moment, but he does stow items away from time to time —- like the 100th save ball he has wrapped in a plastic bag and buried in his closet back home in Austin, Texas.
“I’m don’t collect a lot of things,” Street said. “I do know where my 100th save ball is and the only reason for that is during the All-Star break, my boy came running out of the closet with it.”