Braves' Markakis: My kids would appreciate 1st All-Star nod most

Atlanta Braves outfielder Nick Markakis is playing in his 13th major-league season. He has never been an All-Star despite a respectable career line of .289/.359/.425 with 173 home runs and 450 doubles in 1,904 games entering Tuesday.

After the first update of All-Star voting, Markakis trails only Washington Nationals slugger Bryce Harper among National League outfielders on the public ballot. If voting was over now, he'd finally be on his way to the Midsummer Classic.

Markakis says it'd be a good experience to share the All-Star stage with teammate - and NL-leading vote-getter - Freddie Freeman, but his children would be more excited.

"Yeah, it'd be nice," the 34-year-old said, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution's David O'Brien. "I think for the most part it'd be best for my kids. My kids would appreciate it more than anybody. We'll see what happens. I don't like to talk about that stuff, but it is what it is. Just got to continue doing what you're doing."

Markakis is in the midst of what could be the best season of his career. Through 65 games, he's batting .327/.388/.492 (141 OPS+) with eight home runs and an NL-best 19 doubles.