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Astros upgrade A's SP Paul Blackburn's flight to All-Star Game
Jul 13, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Paul Blackburn (58) walks off the field after the fourth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Astros upgrade A's SP Paul Blackburn's flight to All-Star Game

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports  |  By Larry Brown  |  Last updated 7/19/22

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.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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