Published: July 05, 2009 10:23 pm      

Bucs’ Sanchez selected for All-Star game

The All-Star game is becoming part of Freddy Sanchez’s yearly schedule.

The Pirates second baseman was selected to the Midsummer Classic for the third time in the last four years Sunday. He will be a reserve for the National League in the July 14 game at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

Sanchez was one of the players added to the roster by Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel, whose coaching staff will include St. Louis manager Tony La Russa and Los Angeles Dodgers manager Joe Torre.

Sanchez was also a reserve in the 2006 and 2007 games.

Versatility was a key to Sanchez’s selection as he is the only player in All-Star game history to play second base, third base and shortstop. Manuel was looking for someone on his bench who could play multiple positions and be used in possible double switches, since the designed hitter rule will not be in effect with the game being played in an NL park.

Sanchez, 31, is hitting

.316 with six home runs and

33 RBIs in 74 games this season.