"Driving to Tropicana Field on Sunday morning, James Shields was fairly confident he would be named to the American League team for next week's All-Star Game. David Price had heard enough chatter in the past few days to have a pretty good sense he would be joining him.

But Matt Joyce? "Wasn't even on my mind," the Tampa native said. Instead, Joyce was deep in thought working out the details to spend the All-Star break with fiancee Randi Jones at a buddy's beachfront condo, maybe snagging an invite for an afternoon on teammate John Jaso's boat.

But Joyce has other plans now, elected to make his first All-Star appearance since his days in the North Brandon Little League.

"I'm so pumped," Joyce said. "This is probably the most exciting news I've heard in a really long time. It's unbelievable. A great feeling."

The Rays were feeling pretty good overall Sunday with three players named to the team: Shields and Joyce voted in by the players; Price selected by AL/Texas manager Ron Washington.

"That's pretty impressive," manager Joe Maddon said. "All three make sense; all three are deserving."

This is the fourth consecutive year the Rays have had at least three players selected, and they could have more company in Phoenix for the July 12 game. Infielder/outfielder Ben Zobrist is on the five-man "Final Vote" online ballot for the 34th roster spot, and Maddon believes closer Kyle Farnsworth has a good chance to be added as a replacement.

Shields has been among the AL's best all season, bouncing back from an admittedly disappointing 2010 season (13-15, 5.18), and seemed likely to be rewarded with his first major-league All-Star appearance. But he was still touched when he got the official word from Maddon that he was elected by the players, the fifth and final starter voted in, ahead of New York's CC Sabathia.

"It's a humble moment for me," Shields said. "I'm feeling very grateful."

His satisfaction was measured in several ways, especially given his daily walk to the trainer's room where the 26 jerseys of the previous Rays All-Stars are mounted. "Every single day," Shields said. "And I never saw my name up there, so it's definitely one of the things I wanted to do is put my jersey up on that wall.""