There’s an interesting quote from former WWE superstar and now well-known actor, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. “Success isn’t always about greatness. It’s about consistency. Consistent hard work leads to success. Greatness will come.” Late Sunday afternoon, two Rangers found out that their consistent hard work in 2019 led to a spot on the American League All-Star roster. It’s official; Mike Minor and Joey Gallo are All-Stars.

Gallo finished 5th in the player voting among OFers. …. Minor was a commissioner's pick. The 5 starters voted on by players: Verlander, Giolito, Morton, Odorizzi and Cole.

— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) June 30, 2019

Joey Gallo

For Joey Gallo, questions surround the “process” and how it could benefit Joey. Gallo started the “swing and decision” aspect by becoming less aggressive at the plate and waiting for his pitches. Immediately out the gate, it worked to near perfection. A month into the season, Gallo led the league in slugging percentage and OPS while he was second in walks. Back in April, Gallo talked about focusing on the task at hand rather than trying to make the situation bigger than it needs to be. He earned the honors of the American League player of the week for his performance between April 15th and April 21st.

Joey Gallo is your AL leader in OPS and SLG %.

Rangers Twitter: He doesn’t bunt and he has more than 0 strikeouts so he’s a bum. pic.twitter.com/xqTMMiKqeL

— Alex Plinck (@aplinckTX) May 9, 2019

Gallo suffered an injured oblique on the first of June and missed a little more than weeks. After coming back, Joey showed very little rust. Since coming back, Gallo is five for seventeen with three home runs and four walks. All five of those hits resulted in extra bases. At this point, Gallo is unranked in MLB in OPS due to not enough plate appearances. However, if he had enough, he’d be ranked third in baseball. Gallo is also a presence defensively with six outfield assists, three in center field and three in left field. He’s only committed two errors (both throwing) in 430 innings. It’s certainly a deserving spot for the Las Vegas native.

Mike Minor

I’ll be honest; I showed a lot of curiosity in the response of Mike Minor’s success from last year. I think the fear all Rangers fans and the organization had was that 2018 was a one-hit (or in this case “pitch”) wonder and Minor’s success would limit to a four or five starter, or even a long reliever. Minor immediately proved everyone wrong. After a semi-okay start on Opening Day, Mike’s been mowing down hitter like teens mowing down grass after letting it grow for six months.

What else can you say about Minor, he’s leading the American League in ERA, third in MLB. Minor is sixth in baseball in innings, fourteenth in batting average against, and one of three pitchers in MLB with two complete games. Minor’s gone eight innings five times this season, only one pitcher in baseball pitched in more eight-inning outings, Corey Kluber (all season, we still have three months to go). The one question that arises in all minds is if American League All-Star manager Alex Cora gives Minor the nod to start in Cleveland on July 9th.

Mike Minor's alma mater (Vanderbilt) is currently winning in the College World Series.

Pair that with his second complete game of the season and that's a pretty good night for no. 23.@Rangers | #TogetherWe pic.twitter.com/77rCwzWGeb

— FOX Sports Southwest (@FOXSportsSW) June 27, 2019

As a spectator, it’s a great privilege to witness Joey Gallo on the field daily and Mike Minor every fifth day. 2019 is the first All-Star selection for both guys, and they will join their teammate and buddy Hunter Pence next week in Cleveland. It’ll be the first time in six years that the Rangers have three players represent in the Mid-Summer classic. Congratulations to both Mike Minor and Joey Gallo.

Ready to rock in Cleveland!#TogetherWe pic.twitter.com/f24wV0ePxJ

— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) June 30, 2019