Brewers' Knebel named to MLB All-Star roster for first time
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}MILWAUKEE -- Brewers closer Corey Knebel had quite a day without even taking the mound.
In the morning, he learned he and his wife, Danielle, would be having a baby girl through a unique unveiling. Then, just before the Brewers played the Miami Marlins on Sunday, he was informed he'd been chosen for his first All-Star Game.
"What a day," Knebel said. "I don't know how it could get any better."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Knebels learned they'd be having a girl, due Nov. 23, when the team created a special `baseball' that Danielle pitched to Corey, who was in an unfamiliar position of holding a bat.
When Corey hit the pitch, the ball exploded in a puff of pink chalk. When he rejoined his teammates, he learned he was going to Miami for the All-Star Game festivities.
"Danielle is happy, excited because we're having a girl and then we find out 30 minutes later that I'm going to be an All-Star. I've been saying all day I'm on cloud nine, but I don't know where I am now. I'm really excited."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Knebel has had a meteoric rise from the minor leagues to All-Star.
"This time last year, I got sent down to Triple-A. It was kind of a reality check," Knebel said. "I didn't have a year that I wanted to. I went into the offseason and told myself this isn't going to happen."
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After Milwaukee traded Tyler Thornburg to Boston, Knebel decided to dedicate himself to winning the closer role, which initially went to Nefatli Feliz, who is no longer with the team.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"Thorny got traded and in my mind, I decided I was going to take that closer role. I didn't want to mess around anymore, Knebel said. "I knew this is where I needed to be and everything else worked out."
He is 0-1 with a 1.13 ERA and 13 saves in 16 chances. He has at least one strikeout in each of his 40 appearances this season, setting the major league single-season record for most consecutive games with a strikeout in Friday night's win over Miami.
When counting Knebel's final appearance of 2016, he has 41 consecutive games with a strikeout and trails only Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman's record of 49 consecutive appearances set over 2013-14.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"This kind of came out of nowhere. I've been feeling good," Knebel said. "Throwing the ball over the plate and everything works out. Funny how it works out."