For Howard, it's a homecoming. He grew up just outside the city. For Utley, it's his fourth straight start. For Ibanez, it's his first All-Star appearance at age 37. Victorino and Werth are also newcomers.
Here's a look at how each Phillies player viewed the hoopla and what he can expect when the 80th edition of the Midsummer Classic is played tonight:
Ibanez: He'll start in leftfield and bat fifth but, because he is just off the disabled list with a strained groin, isn't likely to get more than one plate appearance.
"He's swinging the bat good," Manuel said. "The timing is still there. I'll watch him. He's felt pretty good the last couple days, but if I can get him off his feet pretty quickly, I'll probably do that."
Ibanez said he was so focused on his rehab and trying to get back into the lineup over the last few weeks that he hadn't really had much time to think about the All-Star Game.
"It's starting to hit me now," he said yesterday. "Now that it's here, I'm really grateful [to have recovered in time to play]. It's definitely a blessing. I'm humbled. It's awesome. I'm not going to the Hall of Fame. But making an All-Star team and winning a world championship, those are forever."
Ibanez joked that he's leaning on Utley to show him the way. "I follow Chase around," he kidded. "I ask him, 'What are we doing now? What time is this? What are we wearing?' We're all wearing Chase out."
Utley: He'll bat second and said he's happy to give any advice he can and that he's thrilled to have so many teammates around this trip.
"The more Phillies here, the better," he said. "It's good to see. I think it means we're going in the right direction."
Utley said he was especially happy for Ibanez, Victorino and Werth. "To experience your first All-Star Game, there's nothing like it," he said.
