Mauer top vote-getter for All-Star game
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In the year of the pitcher, no-hit aces Ubaldo Jimenez and Roy Halladay lead a formidable National League All-Star staff. Rookie sensation Stephen Strasburg will have to wait at least another season before he gets the nod.
AL MVP catcher Joe Mauer was announced Sunday by Major League baseball as the fans' top choice for the July 13th All-Star game in Anaheim, Calif. Albert Pujols earned the most votes in the National League.
In the closest voting, the Mets' David Wright overtook the Phillies' Placido Polanco in the final week to win the NL starting third baseman spot.
Strasburg's 100 mph fastball has captivated fans around baseball since the Washington Nationals called the right-hander up June 8, but NL manager Charlie Manuel would like to see 21-year-old settle into his role as an ace before making the Midsummer Classic.
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"He got quite a bit of consideration," Philadelphia's Manuel told TBS during the selection show. "He is going be an All-Star for a long time. What does he have, five starts? I just felt there are other guys who have started 18 to 20 games. I just felt leave him alone and let him get used to the major league level."
Strasburg watched the selection show on a clubhouse TV, but was called away by Nationals management after the first couple of pitchers were selected.
"I thought he had a pretty good shot," Nationals closer and All-Star pick Matt Capps said. "He's one of the top pitchers in baseball right now."
Halladay pitched a perfect game in his first season with the Phillies, and Jimenez had one of the four no-hitters this year and is off to a remarkable 14-1 start with a 2.27 ERA for the Colorado Rockies.
Halladay's teammate Chase Utley was voted as the starting second baseman for the NL, but he is out with an injured right thumb. He will be replaced in the lineup by Atlanta's Martin Prado.
The other NL starters are: Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina; Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez; and Milwaukee's Ryan Braun, Los Angeles' Andre Ethier and Atlanta's Jayson Heyward in the outfield.
In the American League, Mauer is joined by Minnesota Twins teammate Justin Morneau, the first baseman.
The other AL starters: Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano and shortstop Derek Jeter; Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria; Texas designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero; and Texas' Josh Hamilton, Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki and Tampa Bay's Carl Crawford in the outfield.
The World Series champion New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox have a leading six All-Stars each, but Boston second baseman Dustin Pedroia and catcher Victor Martinez are out with injuries.
Yankees manager Joe Girardi made several difficult decisions in finalizing the AL squad. He left off Andy Pettitte and took teammate CC Sabathia, both 10-game winners, and selected slugger Alex Rodriguez, who only has 12 homers but 61 RBIs.
Among the other players having strong seasons who got left off are Kansas City's David DeJesus (.325) and Billy Butler (.320), Mets pitcher Mike Pelfrey (10-2) and San Diego pitcher Mat Latos (9-2).
All-Star rosters were increased by one player to 34 this year, but there are always complaints about who's absent. Blame that on all the factors that go into picking the squad - every team must be represented, managers must deal with their own players, the need to have enough players at each position, nagging injuries and more.
The Braves and Cardinals each had five All-Stars to lead the NL. Atlanta's 20-year-old rookie Heyward made the squad, but might not be able to play because of an injury.
The host Los Angeles Angels have one All-Star, center fielder Torii Hunter.
Ken Griffey Jr., who retired in Seattle last month, received more than 1 million votes. The 13-time All-Star drew over 50 million votes during his 22-year career.
Fans have the final say on the one remaining roster spot in an Internet runoff between five players for each league.
The NL candidates: San Diego's Heath Bell, Colorado's Carlos Gonzalez, Cincinnati's Joey Votto, Atlanta's Billy Wagner and Washington's Ryan Zimmerman.
The AL candidates: Chicago's Paul Konerko, New York's Nick Swisher, Minnesota's Delmon Young, Texas' Michael Young and Boston's Kevin Youkilis.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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