Turns out All-Star game wasn’t really the trip Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal had in mind

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Rafael Furcal had a nice little family trip planned for his three-day All-Star break.

They were headed for Florida and an amusement park. Had a neat itinerary all scheduled. His two young children were excited.

Except there was a call Saturday evening. Mets shortstop Jose Reyes was injured and they wanted Furcal to take his place on the National League All-Star team.

Then remember how excited he was to change his family plans and head to Anaheim for the All-Star game?

Well, as it turns out, not exactly. Not immediately, anyway.

When Dodgers General Manager Ned Colletti first told Furcal the news, his initial reaction was: Thanks, but no thanks.

‘I don’t want to come, and then I sit down with Ned, he talked to me, and Joe (Torre) talked to me and I got to come because I got to represent the L.A. Dodgers,’ Furcal said. ‘I know the L.A. Dodgers fans are going to be happy to see me play.’

It’s not that Furcal didn’t appreciate coming back to the NL All-Star team for the first time since 2003.

‘I’m young that time,’ he said.

Once Furcal agreed to forgo his family trip and join the All-Star game, he seemed to embrace it.

Furcal said he’s enjoying his second time through the experience more than in 2003.

‘For me, it’s a little better,’ he said. ‘It’s special. Before when I’m there, I don’t have kids. Now I have two kids and they can enjoy the home run derby and be around me.’

-- Steve Dilbeck