Three Phillies Look To Help NL All-Star Squad Tonight

By Matt Leon

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – The National League will be looking for a third straight win and to give their World Series representative home-field advantage in October as they battle the American League in tonight's All-Star Game in Kansas City.

Three Phillies are on the National League squad - catcher Carlos Ruiz, left-hander Cole Hamels and closer Jonathan Papelbon.  None of the three will start the game, but Ruiz is expected to enter to catch Mets knuckleballer R.A. Dickey when he comes in to pitch.

Some interesting facts to keep in mind as you watch tonight's game:

- The last Phillie to hit a home run in the MLB All-Star Game was Mike Schmidt back in 1981 when the game was held in Cleveland.

- The last Phillies pitcher to earn a win in the MLB All-Star Game was Heathcliff Slocumb in 1995 when the game was played in Texas.

- The only Phillie to be names the MVP of the MLB All-Star Game was OF Johnny Callison in 1964.  He hit a game-winning 3-run home run in the bottom of the 9th that year to give the NL a 7-4 win.

KYW's Matt Leon spoke with Ryan Lawrence, Phillies beat writer for the Delaware County Times, about the All-Star game and the Phillies at midseason.  Lawrence is in Kansas City covering the game tonight.

You can follow Matt on Twitter @mattleonkyw.