Gleyber Torres has done something that Derek Jeter has never done. Neither Alex Rodriguez. Ditto Nomar Garciaparra, Jose Reyes, Troy Tulowitzki. Not even Cal Ripken Jr. did it.

By starting his career with back-to-back All-Star Game selections, Torres has a leg up on each of those legendary shortstops.

However, Torres' path to the 2019 MLB All-Star Game did not come so easy.

Although the 22-year-old middle infielder has put up better numbers this year than last, when he made the All-Star team while on the disabled list, Torres did not initially make the cut this season, which elicited an outcry from fans and teammates alike.

Even Torres' manager, Aaron Boone, weighed in, calling his snub "a joke."

Due to a rash of injuries to American League shortstops and second basemen, Torres was ultimately named to the team on July 4. On Monday, speaking from Progressive Field as a two-time All-Star, Torres couldn't be happier to spend his mini-vacation playing baseball in Cleveland.

"I'm so happy right now," Torres said. "I'm proud for the opportunity to be here, happy with the fans for supporting me, and just excited."
Even if it took him longer to get there than expected, Torres knew he belonged all along.

"Yeah, for sure," Torres said. "I'm playing really well. I know the rules. I can't control that, I can't control the votes. But, I feel like I've done a really good job. I've hit really well, I've put up really good numbers to be here, and now I'm here."

He wasn't the only one who thought he deserved to be there from the start. Although Boone's outburst was a bit out of character for the usually soft-spoken manager, it didn't surprise Torres, who raved about Boone's assist.

"It felt really good," Torres said. "Booney's personality is really good, always with the players he's got really good communication, but after that interview I felt really proud because he supported me."

After he got the news he'd been waiting to hear for a week, Torres immediately called his parents, who he said were "almost crying" after he told them. Torres' parents, along with his wife, have made the trip with him to Cleveland.

They'll have to wait until Tuesday night to see him in action, as Torres will not be participating in Monday's Home Run Derby. However, Torres and his family will still have somebody to cheer on - fellow Venezuelan, Ronald Acuña Jr.

"Acuña's got really good power," Torres said. "He is from my country. I believe he can win, so he's got all my support, and we'll see what happens tonight."

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