Philadelphia Phillies reliever Craig Kimbrel became the eighth player in Major League Baseball history with 400 saves on May 26. The MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday night will put the Huntsville native near the top of baseball’s all-time leaderboard again.

Kimbrel was named to the National League All-Star roster to replace Milwaukee Brewers reliever Devin Williams on Sunday. Williams and the Brewers decided he would not pitch on Tuesday night due to recent heavy usage out of the Milwaukee bullpen.

That opened the way for Kimbrel to go to the All-Star Game for the ninth time in his career. Eight pitchers have been selected for more than nine All-Star games – Warren Spahn with 14 selections, Mariano Rivera with 13, Tom Seaver with 12, Roger Clemens with 11 and Steve Carlton, Tom Glavine, Randy Johnson and Clayton Kershaw with 10 apiece. Goose Gossage, Carl Hubbell, Juan Marichal and Justin Verlander also have nine All-Star Game selections each.

“It’s a crazy list to be on,” Kimbrel said. “I try not to focus on accomplishments too much or what I’ve been able to do. I try to focus on what I want to continue to do. But it’s one of those pinch-yourself-to-see-if-things-are-real type stuff.”

Kimbrel also was picked for the All-Star Game in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 with the Atlanta Braves, 2016, 2017 and 2018 with the Boston Red Sox and 2021 with the Chicago Cubs.

This season, Kimbrel has a 5-1 record with a 3.41 earned-run average and 14 saves in 39 relief appearances. In 37 innings, he has struck out 57 while yielding 22 hits and 14 walks. Kimbrel won the National League Reliever of the Month Award for June.

In consecutive games against the Los Angeles Dodgers in May, Kimbrel gave up at total of six runs while recording three outs.

In his 25 games since, Kimbrel has a 4-0 record with a 1.08 ERA and 11 saves. In 25 innings, he has struck out 40 and yielded 10 hits and five walks.

“I had two rough outings in L.A.,” Kimbrel said. “Coming into that time period, I was throwing the ball pretty well. It’s easy to look back on, but I’ve been able to turn it around. I’ve had a lot of support around me. These guys around me, ever since I showed up, they’ve wanted me to do well. That’s always nice to have and feel around you.”

On his way to the big leagues, Kimbrel pitched at Lee High School in Huntsville and Wallace State in Hanceville.

Only two players with Alabama baseball roots have been chosen for more All-Star games – Hank Aaron, who had 21 All-Star seasons, and Willie Mays, who had 20.

The 93rd MLB All-Star Game is set for 7 p.m. CDT Tuesday at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. FOX will televise the game.

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.