Gwinnett Daily Post

No matter the final results, Atlanta Braves catcher Brian McCann will have more memories like the ones he brought back from four previous trips to the All-Star Game after Tuesday's Midsummer Classic in Anaheim, Calif.

"It's always an honor to share a locker room with the best players in the game," the Duluth grad said when reached late Monday night. "Every time I come, it's very humbling. ... Just hanging out with guys you're competing with on a daily basis and to be able to step back and enjoy it is something you always remember."

After being the Braves' lone representative in last year's All-Star Game in St. Louis, McCann was also happy to have some of his Atlanta teammates along with him this time around.

And while he was pleased to have three-time All-Star Tim Hudson joining him this season, he was especially happy for the other Atlanta representatives Martin Prado, Omar Infante and Jason Heyward, all of whom were making their first All-Star appearances, though Heyward did not play while still recovering from a thumb injury.

"A lot of our guys were deserving," McCann said of his teammates, who have helped the Braves take a four-game lead in the National League's East Division heading into the All-Star break. "It was great to come out here with a bunch of my teammates and enjoy (the festivities)."

McCann also admitted Monday he was also hoping to take back more tangible memories from Anaheim.

Mostly, he was hoping for his first hit in his fifth All-Star appearance.

"I'm 0-for-3 (in the All-Star Game), so it would be nice," McCann said.

McCann did dramatically end the 0-fer stretch with a three-run double in the seventh inning that gave the National League a 3-1 lead.