2010 All-Star Game News

Modifications in place for All-Star Game
New DH rule among four changes to Midsummer Classic

By John Schlegel / MLB.com

04/29/10 12:45 AM ET

Changes to the All-Star Game, based on recommendations by the Special Committee for On-Field Matters, were announced by Major League Baseball on Wednesday, furthering efforts to sharpen the competitive edge in baseball's annual Midsummer Classic.

Starting with the 81st All-Star Game on July 13 in Anaheim, the changes include:

• The contest always will include a designated hitter no matter where it's played.
• No pitcher who competes for his team on the previous Sunday will be allowed to pitch in the game.
• Rosters have been increased to 34 players, by one slot designated for a position player.
• A rule will allow one position player re-entry into the game if necessitated by injury.

The procedural changes, agreed upon by Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association, come as the most significant alterations to the sport recommended by the Special Committee to date.

Chaired by Commissioner Bud Selig and composed of longtime managers, executives and observers of the game, the committee was formed in December. It previously recommended an off-day be removed from the League Championship rounds to tighten the playoff schedule, and the Commissioner's Office announced that change in March.

These also are the first significant alterations to the All-Star Game format since 2003, when the game was declared the deciding factor for which league hosts the World Series. That change, along with a roster bump from 30 to 32 players, was made in the wake of the 7-7 tie at the 2002 game in Milwaukee.

"The last thing you want to do is get in the situation they had a few years ago where there's a tie," said Yankees manager Joe Girardi, who will manage the American League club this July against Phillies manager Charlie Manuel's National League squad. "You don't want to get in a bind where, to me, the fans aren't seeing the best product. I like the re-entry rule and the extra player because it gives you flexibility on your roster."

Perhaps the most significant rule announced Wednesday affects those starting pitchers who are scheduled to start the Sunday before the All-Star Game, a situation that has caused much discussion the past several years.

Previously, those pitchers could be used in the game but generally would be available only for one inning, or even less, because they're only two days removed from their start. Now, a starter whose final outing before the All-Star Game falls on that Sunday will be part of the All-Star team but ineligible to pitch, and replaced on the roster.

"It makes sense," Girardi said. "If you play a game on Sunday, I know as a manager I wouldn't want that guy to pitch on Tuesday. I'd want him to maybe throw a light bullpen, but that would be it. I think that makes a lot of sense. It's unfortunate because you might see a (pitcher) deserving of the All-Star Game pitching that day, but games are important during the regular season."

Cardinals skipper Tony La Russa, who has managed five All-Star Games, is a member of the committee.

"I believe they're serious about it being a true competition, and to do that, if the game goes extra innings, you have to be able to compete," La Russa said. "You get that problem where guys are excited about being there and they don't participate, so you want to have them play. That's where the extra guy you get to protect. You always have a problem with the Sunday pitcher. No matter what they say, Tuesday is not a good day for them to pitch."

This year's squads will include 34 players, increasing the number of position players to 21 and keeping the pitching staffs at 13. Roster sizes were increased to 33 a year ago, adding the 13th pitcher spot.

One of those position players will be determined by the team's manager to be eligible to re-enter the game in the event the last position player is injured. Already, a rule is in place that allows a catcher to re-enter the game if the team's other catcher is injured.

The designated hitter rule also stipulates that the National League's DH will be chosen by the manager, while the Junior Circuit's DH will continue to be chosen by fans.

"I think it's a great idea," La Russa said. "You go through a lot of needless scorecard work if you're in the National League. Unnecessary."

John Schlegel is a reporter for MLB.com. MLB.com reporter Bailey Stephens contributed to this article. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Leyland likes All-Star rules changes

By Jason Beck / MLB.com

04/29/10 1:53 PM ET

DETROIT -- Tigers manager Jim Leyland won't take credit for the rules change that will allow both leagues to use the designated hitter in the All-Star Game, regardless of the home site. Still, it's an idea he vocally supported well before it came up in the special committee that Commissioner Bud Selig organized.

The idea, Leyland said, had widespread support. It was an issue he encountered when he managed the American League All-Stars in 2007, when the Midsummer Classic was in San Francisco. It ended up being one of the most stressful games he ever managed, in part because of all the moves Leyland had to make and the players he used up pinch-hitting for the pitcher's spot.

"[It] makes it better," Leyland said of the change. "It's common sense."

It's one of a series of rules changes to come out of the Special Committee for On-Field Matters, consisting of managers, general managers and other officials. It's a group Leyland is glad he joined and is honored he was invited to join. The conference calls have been long, he said, but the discussions and the ideas have been enlightening.

"It's very interesting to talk about some things that you think would be good," Leyland said, "and then it's very interesting to talk about the counterpart of that as far as why you can't do a certain thing, the reason you don't do it.

"It's been really interesting. I really give the Commissioner credit, because he said there'd be no sacred cows, and he's been great about that. He's let us talk about whatever we want, throw out ideas. It's been really very interesting. I like this All-Star thing. I'm glad they came out with it. I think it's really good for the game.

"The good part about it is nobody is trying to be a rocket scientist. We're trying to share some thoughts and ideas that we think will make the game better for our fans. That's what we're trying to do. I really am enjoying it."

Modifications in place for All-Star Game
New DH rule among four changes to Midsummer Classic

By John Schlegel / MLB.com

04/29/10 12:45 AM ET

Changes to the All-Star Game, based on recommendations by the Special Committee for On-Field Matters, were announced by Major League Baseball on Wednesday, furthering efforts to sharpen the competitive edge in baseball's annual Midsummer Classic.

Starting with the 81st All-Star Game on July 13 in Anaheim, the changes include:

• The contest always will include a designated hitter no matter where it's played.
• No starting pitcher who competes for his team on the previous Sunday will be allowed to pitch in the game.
• Rosters have been increased to 34 players, by one slot designated for a position player.
• A rule will allow one position player re-entry into the game if necessitated by injury.

The procedural changes, agreed upon by Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association, come as the most significant alterations to the sport recommended by the Special Committee to date.

Chaired by Commissioner Bud Selig and composed of longtime managers, executives and observers of the game, the committee was formed in December. It previously recommended an off-day be removed from the League Championship rounds to tighten the playoff schedule, and the Commissioner's Office announced that change in March.

These also are the first significant alterations to the All-Star Game format since 2003, when the game was declared the deciding factor for which league hosts the World Series. That change, along with a roster bump from 30 to 32 players, was made in the wake of the 7-7 tie at the 2002 game in Milwaukee.

"The last thing you want to do is get in the situation they had a few years ago where there's a tie," said Yankees manager Joe Girardi, who will manage the American League club this July against Phillies manager Charlie Manuel's National League squad. "You don't want to get in a bind where, to me, the fans aren't seeing the best product. I like the re-entry rule and the extra player because it gives you flexibility on your roster."

Perhaps the most significant rule announced Wednesday affects those starting pitchers who are scheduled to start the Sunday before the All-Star Game, a situation that has caused much discussion the past several years.

Previously, those pitchers could be used in the game but generally would be available only for one inning, or even less, because they're only two days removed from their start. Now, a starter whose final outing before the All-Star Game falls on that Sunday will be part of the All-Star team but ineligible to pitch, and replaced on the roster.

"It makes sense," Girardi said. "If you play a game on Sunday, I know as a manager I wouldn't want that guy to pitch on Tuesday. I'd want him to maybe throw a light bullpen, but that would be it. I think that makes a lot of sense. It's unfortunate because you might see a (pitcher) deserving of the All-Star Game pitching that day, but games are important during the regular season."

Cardinals skipper Tony La Russa, who has managed five All-Star Games, is a member of the committee.

"I believe they're serious about it being a true competition, and to do that, if the game goes extra innings, you have to be able to compete," La Russa said. "You get that problem where guys are excited about being there and they don't participate, so you want to have them play. That's where the extra guy you get to protect. You always have a problem with the Sunday pitcher. No matter what they say, Tuesday is not a good day for them to pitch."

This year's squads will include 34 players, increasing the number of position players to 21 and keeping the pitching staffs at 13. Roster sizes were increased to 33 a year ago, adding the 13th pitcher spot.

One of those position players will be determined by the team's manager to be eligible to re-enter the game in the event the last position player is injured. Already, a rule is in place that allows a catcher to re-enter the game if the team's other catcher is injured.

The designated hitter rule also stipulates that the National League's DH will be chosen by the manager, while the Junior Circuit's (AL) DH will continue to be chosen by fans.

"I think it's a great idea," La Russa said. "You go through a lot of needless scorecard work if you're in the National League. Unnecessary."

John Schlegel is a reporter for MLB.com. MLB.com reporter Bailey Stephens contributed to this article. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Ballot launched for 2010 All-Star Game

By Mark Newman / MLB.com

04/20/10 4:30 PM ET

There is nothing like Major League Baseball's All-Star Game.

It was first played at Comiskey Park in 1933, in the same century as the National League's last victory over the American League, and along the way it has brought us such indelible memories as Ted Williams' walk-off homer, Pete Rose bowling over Ray Fosse at home, Reggie Jackson clearing the roof of the old Tiger Stadium, Ichiro Suzuki's inside-the-park homer at AT&T Park and Carl Crawford going over the wall to rob Brad Hawpe last year at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

The 81st All-Star Game is coming to Anaheim on July 13, and now fans everywhere are being reminded that we also love the event because we play the lead role in deciding who participates. The 2010 All-Star Game MLB.com ballot Sponsored by Sprint is live, and the MLB All-Star Game balloting program -- the largest of its kind in professional sports, with a record 23 million overall ballots cast last year -- is being formally launched on Tuesday with an on-field ceremony before the Tigers-Angels game at Angel Stadium.

"The launch of All-Star balloting today in Anaheim is the first of many events that will be a part of a memorable All-Star summer for all of the passionate and loyal baseball fans who fill Angel Stadium each day," Commissioner Bud Selig said. "Major League Baseball is thrilled that the 81st Midsummer Classic is coming to Anaheim, which already has two classic All-Star Games to its credit. We are looking forward to the third marvelous Midsummer Classic hosted by the Angels on July 13."

Fans can cast up to 25 ballots per e-mail address to help choose 17 starters -- eight position players for the NL and nine (including a designated hitter) for the AL. Though it has been around longer, this is the 10th year for online All-Star balloting as we know it, and history shows that you will waste no time getting started. This is where it all begins, and traditionally, fans are a big part of the story themselves by demolishing online voting records.

Will the Yankees, the reigning World Series champions, have their usual heavy representation? Will Nelson Cruz's hot start as the home run leader extend into weeks and months of serious candidacy? Will sudden sensation Jason Heyward have a chance to lead a new generation of NL players to that elusive victory? Who will be the spotlight player who inevitably gets that late bump into a starting position after the weekly voting updates are announced?

"It's good, because that's a little bit more motivation to play better," Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano said on Monday at Citi Field. Soriano's seven-year run of All-Star berths ended last year, and he hopes to return. "You play better, you put up some good numbers in the first half, you have a chance to make the All-Star Game if people vote for you."

Just ask Mets shortstop Jose Reyes what it means. In 2007, leading off for the NL, he singled, stole second, scored on Junior Griffey's hit and wound up 3-for-4 in addition to catching Willie Mays' ceremonial first pitch and getting a jacket signed by the Say-Hey Kid.

"It means a lot for me -- just to be there in the same room with so many great players," said Reyes, a selection in 2006 and '07. "It's a story you can tell your kids one day when they grow up. It's a magnificent experience just to be around players like Albert Pujols. In the second one, I was around Barry Bonds, Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez ... What else can you ask for? That's a beautiful feeling from my playing career so far. The fans like to come to the ballpark to watch every player, and they know. It's great to the ballplayer to see their opinion."

Oh, you have an opinion, all right.

In last year's election of starting position players, fans submitted 223.5 million votes and 17.8 million ballots online -- both the largest figures recorded in the nine years of online balloting at MLB.com, surpassing the previous records set in 2008. Then, as the annual coup de grace, you obliterated Final Vote records by casting 68.6 million votes at MLB.com, sending Shane Victorino of the Phillies and Brandon Inge of the Tigers -- "BranTorino" -- to St. Louis as the final players on their respective All-Star rosters.

Firestone is the new official sponsor of in-stadium balloting, another of our favorite traditions. We think about all those times the ushers distributed paper ballots through the aisles, and how we eagerly punched the little holes with any available means, often a car key. Then we would turn our attention back to the field and watch the guys whose names we just punched. That's back. More than 20 million Firestone All-Star ballots will be distributed at the 30 Major League ballparks, each of which will have 23 home dates for balloting. Ballots also will be distributed in approximately 100 Minor League ballparks.

Every Major League club will have begun its in-stadium balloting no later than May 10. When this phase of balloting concludes on June 23, fans will have the opportunity to cast their ballots in the Final Vote exclusively online at MLB.com and club sites until 11:59 p.m. ET on Thursday, July 1. In addition, Banco BHD will sponsor All-Star balloting in the Dominican Republic, making Spanish-language ballots available online at www.bhd.com.do and at All-Star balloting terminals across more than 80 branches through July 1.

Firestone has also teamed up with MLB for the Firestone/MLB All-Star Sweepstakes. Each in-stadium ballot will include a sweepstakes entry form to be completed by fans along with their votes for the All-Star Game starters. At the completion of the balloting period, one lucky fan will be randomly selected to win a new set of Firestone tires, as well as an all-expenses-paid trip to Anaheim to throw a ceremonial first pitch before the All-Star Game.

In addition, Scotts is the official sponsor of the 2010 Retail All-Star Balloting Program, which begins on May 10 exclusively at approximately 1,700 Lowe's stores across the country. As they cast their votes, fans will have the opportunity to enter to win the VIP All-Star Week Experience, courtesy of Scotts.

For the second consecutive year, the ballot also will feature the State Farm Home Run Derby Fan Poll. Fans will have the opportunity to select three players from each league whom they would most like to see participate in the State Farm Home Run Derby. The 2010 State Farm Home Run Derby, part of Gatorade All-Star Workout Day, will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN HD, ESPN Deportes and ESPN Radio in the U.S. beginning at 8 p.m. ET on July 12.

The 10 NL candidates are Adam Dunn of the Nationals, Andre Ethier of the Dodgers, 2009 winner Prince Fielder of the Brewers, Adrian Gonzalez of the Padres, Ryan Howard of the Phillies, Derrek Lee of the Cubs, Albert Pujols of the Cardinals, Mark Reynolds of the D-backs, Troy Tulowitzki of the Rockies and David Wright of the Mets.

The 10 AL candidates are Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers, 2009 runner-up Cruz of the Rangers, Aaron Hill of the Blue Jays, Torii Hunter of the Angels, Joe Mauer of the Twins, Carlos Peña of the Rays, Grady Sizemore of the Indians, Suzuki of the Mariners, Mark Teixeira of the Yankees and Kevin Youkilis of the Red Sox.

The 2010 All-Star teams will be unveiled on the Fourth of July during the 2010 MLB All-Star Game Selection Show, televised nationally on TBS. The pitchers and reserves for both squads -- totaling 25 for the NL and 24 for the AL -- will be determined through a combination of player ballot choices and selections made by the two All-Star managers -- Joe Girardi of the Yankees (AL) and Charlie Manuel of the Phillies (NL) -- in conjunction with MLB.

Immediately following the announcement of the All-Star rosters, fans will begin voting to select the final player for each league's 34-man roster through the 2010 All-Star Game MLB.com Final Vote sponsored by Sprint, now in its sixth year. Fans will choose from a list of five players from each league over a four-day period, and the winners will be announced after the voting concludes on July 10. Fans again will be able to make their Final Vote selections on their mobile phones, exclusive to Sprint subscribers.

The final phase of All-Star Game voting will have fans again participating in the official voting for the All-Star Game Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet through the 2010 All-Star Game MLB.com MVP Vote sponsored by Sprint. Crawford won it in 2009.

"It's cool how everyone is involved in the whole process," said Lee, who cited his start at Detroit in 2005 as his best All-Star memory. "Now, with the Internet, you're seeing voting go through the roof. Global voting for the All-Star Game is pretty cool. It just generates more excitement, brings more to the game and creates more fans. It's a great thing."

The online ballot will offer English- and Spanish-language versions as well as audio CAPTCHA functionality for visually impaired fans.

The NL has not beaten the AL since Mike Piazza led the way in 1996, and that means the NL never has had World Series home-field advantage since the 2003 implementation of the rule giving that honor to the league that wins that year's All-Star Game. Though baseball is in a pattern of each league winning the World Series in alternate years -- 2005 was the last league repeat -- it would be tough to convince a Phillies fan that their chances were worse when they had to go to Yankee Stadium for Game 6 last fall.

Will anything change in 2010? This is where you come in.

The 81st Major League Baseball All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports; in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet, Sportsnet HD and Le Reseau de Sport; and around the world by Major League Baseball International, with pregame ceremonies beginning at 8 p.m. ET. ESPN Radio will provide exclusive national radio coverage. MLB Network, MLB.com and Sirius XM also will provide comprehensive All-Star Game coverage.

Mark Newman is enterprise editor of MLB.com. Follow him @MLB on Twitter. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

All-Star Red Carpet Show details set
MLB Network to air July 13 parade through Anaheim, Disneyland

By Mark Newman / MLB.com

05/20/10 11:00 AM ET

It is an endless parade that started appropriately enough in the Motor City, crossed the Clemente Bridge outside Pittsburgh's PNC Park, wound through the piers alongside San Francisco Bay, steamrolled through the Big Apple's busiest avenues and careened alongside the Arch.

Next stop, Disneyland.

Major League Baseball on Thursday announced the details of its sixth annual MLB All-Star Red Carpet Show presented by Chevy, giving fans the opportunity to see their favorite All-Stars up close on the streets of Anaheim and on television nationally via MLB Network.

On July 13, fans can watch the procession of players, family members and coaching staffs for the 81st All-Star Game as they make their way down an approximately 6,000-square-yard red carpet stretching three-quarters of a mile from the corner of South Harbor Boulevard at Convention Way to Disney Way, where the public portion concludes.

The parade then will continue through Disneyland to Main Street U.S.A. for guests in the park. Besides Mickey, Donald, Goofy, Cinderella and the whole gang, Disney guests will be treated to a parade that might feature names like Miguel, Albert and Chase.

The event is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. ET/11:30 a.m. PT and is expected to feature all of the MLB All-Stars and the All-Star managers, all riding in Chevrolet Silverados. It has become the traditional way that players get to the ballpark for the Midsummer Classic, ever since the first such parade outside Comerica Park in Detroit in 2005. MLB Network will telecast the event nationally at 4 p.m. ET and air an abbreviated version at 7:30 p.m. ET.

"The All-Star Game Red Carpet Show presented by Chevy gives fans the opportunity to see their favorite MLB stars in a unique way and brings fans closer to the game," said Tim Brosnan, executive vice president, business, for MLB. "In addition to the people of Anaheim, we are thrilled to bring the event into the Disneyland Resort to share this celebration of Major League Baseball with their guests from across America and around the world."

"Disneyland Resort is thrilled to participate in the MLB All-Star Game festivities, and help shine the spotlight on the entire Anaheim Resort Area," said George Kalogridis, president of Disneyland Resort. "With the Midsummer Classic here in our own backyard, I can't imagine a more perfect All-Star Game parade route than one that concludes on Main Street U.S.A. in Disneyland park and allows our guests to join in the celebration."

With the outcome of the All-Star Game again determining which league will have home-field advantage in the World Series -- and the National League is still trying to win this event for the first time since 1996 -- the World Series Trophy, crafted by Tiffany & Company, will be on display as part of the MLB All-Star Red Carpet Show presented by Chevy. The trophy is traditionally placed on the last vehicle, like Santa Claus in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

"We are glad the MLB All-Stars will ride in style in Chevrolets for the sixth year in a row," said Jim Campbell, U.S. vice president for Chevrolet Marketing. "Watching the MLB stars will be a memorable experience for baseball fans around the world who catch the All-Star Red Carpet Show."

"We look forward to hosting the 2010 MLB All-Star Game, and in particular the All-Star Game Red Carpet Show," said City of Anaheim mayor Curt Pringle. "This is a wonderful opportunity for fans to enjoy the All-Star Summer and see their favorite players up close as they travel down Harbor Boulevard. Anaheim stands ready to welcome the players and the fans."

As part of the ongoing commitment by Major League Baseball to environmental sustainability, MLB is again working with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), implementing measures to reduce the event's environmental footprint. For this parade, the players will be traveling on a red carpet made with 100-percent recycled fiber and produced by electricity created by 100-percent renewable wind and solar power. Chevy will be providing the Silverado vehicles with E85 ethanol capability for the players and their families.

As an added treat at last year's parade in St. Louis, the 30 All-Stars Among Us winners representing each club were seated in several parade vehicles. There are usually legends involved as well, such as Ozzie Smith last year and Yogi Berra the year before in New York.

Building up to the excitement of the All-Star Game, MLB will conduct a wide variety of special events and charitable activities for fans both inside and outside of Angel Stadium. At the ballpark, the events will include Taco Bell All-Star Sunday on July 11, featuring the XM All-Star Futures Game and the Taco Bell All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game, and Gatorade All-Star Workout Day on July 12 featuring the State Farm Home Run Derby on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN Radio.

Outside of the ballpark, fans will have an opportunity to experience All-Star Summer through a variety of special events including All-Star FanFest, the five-day interactive fan festival; the All-Star Game Charity 5K and Fun Run, a charity run/walk on a baseball-themed route to benefit four cancer organizations; and the parade.

As part of the theme involving Disney in this year's event, fans in the Southern California will be able to find large Mickey Mouse statues all over the region, each representing different clubs and themes as per previous All-Star Weeks. Forever Collectibles replicas of the 7 1/2-foot-tall statues are now available at the MLB.com Shop, and you can collect all 36 of them.
The 81st Major League Baseball All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and Sportsnet HD and Le Reseau de Sport, and around the world by Major League Baseball International, with pregame ceremonies beginning at 8 p.m. ET. ESPN Radio will provide exclusive national radio coverage. MLB Network, MLB.com and Sirius XM also will provide comprehensive All-Star Game coverage.

Mark Newman is enterprise editor of MLB.com. Follow @MLB on Twitter. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Mauer leads AL in early All-Star voting
Longoria holds edge on A-Rod to prevent all-Yankees infield

By Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com

05/24/10 3:00 PM ET

One thing was evident when the first batch of American League voting results for the 81st All-Star Game were made public Monday: Winning yields votes.

If the voting ended today, the nine starting position players in the AL would be Joe Mauer, Mark Teixeira, Robinson Cano, Derek Jeter, Evan Longoria, Ichiro Suzuki, Carl Crawford, Nelson Cruz and Vladimir Guerrero. If the season ended today, eight of those players -- all except Ichiro -- would be on teams headed to the playoffs.

By the time the Midsummer Classic at Angel Stadium in Anaheim rolls around on July 13, the Yankees could end up ruling most of the infield. But it's Mauer who rules all voting thus far.

The reigning American League Most Valuable Player and the face of the Twins checked in as the leading AL vote-getter in the year's first ballot update, sporting 644,533 votes to easily lead the position of catcher and put him on pace to make his third consecutive Midsummer Classic start.

Through his first 36 games, Mauer ranks third in the AL with a .346 batting average and fifth with a .414 on-base percentage. In the voting, he holds the second-biggest gap between first and second place among position players in the AL, as the Yankees' Jorge Posada comes in second among AL catchers with 287,486 votes.

The biggest lead belongs to "The Captain," Jeter, who has the second-highest vote total at 639,227 and holds a lead of more than 400,000 votes over the second-place shortstop, Rangers youngster Elvis Andrus.

Jeter, batting .276 with four homers and 27 RBIs, is looking to make his 11th All-Star Game appearance and start for the fifth consecutive time.

If he pulls that off, he may have some familiar faces around the diamond.

The Yankees' Teixeira leads at first base with 396,034 votes so far, which puts him nearly 138,000 votes ahead of the Twins' Justin Morneau. And one of the hottest players at the start of the season, Cano, holds a lead of more than 200,000 votes over Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia.

Pedroia has appeared in back-to-back All-Star Games and started in 2008. But Cano is batting .335 with nine homers and 28 RBIs and is gunning for his second All-Star Game appearance -- and first since '06.

There is one man currently preventing an all-Yankees infield, however, and he's pacing the best team in the Major Leagues thus far.

Longoria -- with a .319 batting average, nine homers and 38 RBIs for the 32-12 Rays -- has captured 541,253 votes to lead the Yankees' Alex Rodriguez by a little less than 130,000, which is the smallest discrepancy between first and second place in the AL infield.

This would be Longoria's third All-Star Game in as many years in the big leagues.

In the bunched-up outfield, the Mariners' Suzuki (366,903 votes) leads the way, followed by the Rays' Carl Crawford (319,953) and the Rangers' Nelson Cruz (307,928).

For Suzuki -- batting .352 with a .395 on-base percentage and 11 stolen bases in his first 44 games -- it would be his 10th consecutive All-Star Game appearance in as many years in the big leagues.

But it's close in the AL outfield, where the Rangers' Josh Hamilton (265,896), the Yankees' Curtis Granderson (264,572), the Angels' Torii Hunter (230,036) and the Yankees' Nick Swisher (229,944) are creeping close with plenty of time left.

Guerrero's knees no longer have him patrolling right field. But the eight-time All-Star is swinging a hot bat in his first year as the Rangers' designated hitter, batting .339 with 10 homers and 37 RBIs in his first 44 games and leading balloting at his new position.

The 35-year-old Guerrero has captured 374,333 votes in the DH category, while Hideki Matsui ranks second at 298,487 and the Mariners' Ken Griffey Jr. is third, with 213,658 votes.

Fans can cast their votes for starters up to 25 times at MLB.com and all 30 club sites using the 2010 All-Star Game MLB.com Ballot Sponsored by Sprint until July 1 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Sprint subscribers can now vote on the go with select Sprint devices. They can learn more about how to vote on their smart phones at MLB.com/Sprint.

Starting rosters will be announced during the 2010 All-Star Game Selection Show on July 4 on TBS. Baseball fans around the world will then be able to select the final player on each team via the 2010 All-Star Game Final Vote Sponsored by Sprint.

And the voting doesn't end there. Fans will have the opportunity to participate in the official voting for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet at the Midsummer Classic via the 2010 All-Star Game MVP Vote Sponsored by Sprint.

The All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX and around the world by Major League Baseball International. ESPN Radio will provide exclusive national radio play-by-play, while MLB.com will offer extensive online coverage.

2010 MLB All-Star Balloting : American League

1st Base RANK	__PLAYER NAME__	AL TEAM__	TOTAL VOTES
1.	Mark Teixeira	Yankees	396,034
2.	Justin Morneau	Twins	258,225
3.	Miguel Cabrera	Tigers	242,039
4.	Carlos Pena	Rays	159,452
5.	Kevin Youkilis	Red Sox	150,702
2nd Base RANK	PLAYER NAME	AL TEAM	TOTAL VOTES
1.	Robison Cano	Yankees	491,188
2.	Dustin Pedroia	Red Sox	279,452
3.	Ian Kinsler	Rangers	229,601
4.	Ben Zobrist	Rays	137,870
5.	Orlando Hudson	Twins	128,649
3rd Base RANK	PLAYER NAME	AL TEAM	TOTAL VOTES
1.	Evan Longoria	Rays	541,253
2.	Alex Rodriguez	Yankees	411,655
3.	Michael Young	Rangers	213,528
4.	Adrian Beltre	Red Sox	93,304
5.	Brandon Inge	Tigers	81,621
Shortstop RANK	PLAYER NAME	AL TEAM	TOTAL VOTES
1.	Derek Jeter	Yankees	639,227
2.	Elvis Andrus	Rangers	239,091
3.	Jason Bartlett	Rays	154,014
4.	J.J. Hardy	Twins	134,840
5.	Alex Gonzalez	Blue Jays	109,793
Catcher RANK	PLAYER NAME	AL TEAM	TOTAL VOTES
1.	Joe Mauer	Twins	644,533
2.	Jorge Posada	Yankees	287,486
3.	Victor Martinez	Red Sox	119,997
4.	Taylor Teagarden	Rangers	108,191
5.	Dioner Navarro	Rays	77,180
Designated Hitter RANK	PLAYER NAME	AL TEAM	TOTAL VOTES
1.	Vladimir Guerrero	Rangers	374,333
2.	Hideki Matsui	Angels	298,487
3.	Ken Griffey Jr.	Mariners	213,658
4.	Pat Burrell	Rays	130,265
5.	David Ortiz	Red Sox	108,755
Outfield RANK	PLAYER NAME	AL TEAM	TOTAL VOTES
1.	Ichiro Suzuki	Mariners	366,903
2.	Carl Crawford	Rays	319,953
3.	Nelson Cruz	Rangers	307,928
4.	Josh Hamilton	Rangers	265,896
5.	Curtis Granderson	Yankees	264,572
6.	Torii Hunter	Angels	230,036
7.	Nick Swisher	Yankees	229,944
8.	Brett Gardner	Yankees	224,167
9.	B.J. Upton	Rays	218,686
10.	Bobby Abreu	Angels	194,998
11.	Vernon Wells	Blue Jays	188,728
12.	Julio Borbon	Rangers	139,029
13.	Magglio Ordonez	Tigers	133,097
14.	Shin-Soo Choo	Indians	127,042
15.	Johnny Damon	Tigers	125,450
Results updated: Monday, May 24, 2010

Alden Gonzalez is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Schedule of Events

1 - July 9-13 - Major League Baseball All-Star FanFest at Anaheim Convention Center


2 - July 11 - Taco Bell All-Star Sunday at Angel Stadium featuring:

a - XM All-Star Futures Game &

b - Taco Bell All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game

c - All-Star Game Charity 5K & Fun Run


3 - July 12 - Gatorade All-Star Workout Day at Angel Stadium featuring:

a - State Farm Home Run Derby


4 - July 13 - 81st MLB All-Star Game at Angel Stadium

2010 MLB All-Star Balloting : American League

RANK_	1ST BASE PLAYER NAME_	AL TEAM_____	TOTAL VOTES
1.	Justin Morneau	Twins	1,402,496
2.	Mark Teixeira	Yankees	1,221,457
3.	Miguel Cabrera	Tigers	1,009,822
4.	Kevin Youkilis	Red Sox	642,407
5.	Carlos Pena	Rays	457,476
RANK	2ND BASE PLAYER NAME	AL TEAM	TOTAL VOTES
1.	Robinson Cano	Yankees	1,784,896
2.	Dustin Pedroia	Red Sox	983,716
3.	Ian Kinsler	Rangers	827,920
4.	Orlando Hudson	Twins	718,183
5.	Ben Zobrist	Rays	472,755
RANK	3RD BASE PLAYER NAME	AL TEAM	TOTAL VOTES
1.	Evan Longoria	Rays	1,958,855
2.	Alex Rodriguez	Yankees	1,271,831
3.	Michael Young	Rangers	762,266
4.	Adrian Beltre	Red Sox	462,136
5.	Nick Punto	Twins	412,268
RANK	SS PLAYER NAME	AL TEAM	TOTAL VOTES
1.	Derek Jeter	Yankees	2,108,659
2.	Elvis Andrus	Rangers	999,455
3.	J.J. Hardy	Twins	647,891
4.	Jason Bartlett	Rays	483,383
5.	Alex Gonzalez	Blue Jays	446,570
RANK	CATCHER PLAYER NAME	AL TEAM	TOTAL VOTES
1.	Joe Mauer	Twins	2,617,822
2.	Jorge Posada	Yankees	822,865
3.	Victor Martinez	Red Sox	518,608
4.	Taylor Teagarden	Rangers	341,492
5.	Gerald Laird	Tigers	258,112
RANK	DH PLAYER NAME	AL TEAM	TOTAL VOTES
1.	Vladimir Guerrero	Rangers	1,743,946
2.	Hideki Matsui	Angels	825,752
3.	Ken Griffey Jr.	Mariners	603,820
4.	David Ortiz	Red Sox	583,852
5.	Jason Kubel	Twins	543,115
RANK	OUTFIELD PLAYER NAME	AL TEAM	TOTAL VOTES
1.	Ichiro Suzuki	Mariners	1,231,950
2.	Carl Crawford	Rays	1,123,132
3.	Nelson Cruz	Rangers	1,093,099
4.	Josh Hamilton	Rangers	1,006,364
5.	Nick Swisher	Yankees	808,871
6.	Curtis Granderson	Yankees	766,088
7.	Torii Hunter	Angels	765,023
8.	Brett Gardner	Yankees	743,795
9.	Vernon Wells	Blue Jays	681,795
10.	Michael Cuddyer	Twins	644,679
11.	B.J. Upton	Rays	639,606
12.	Magglio Ordonez	Tigers	627,433
13.	Denard Span	Twins	590,205
14.	Bobby Abreu	Angels	567,326
15.	Austin Jackson	Tigers	554,046
Results updated: Monday, June 14, 2010

COME ON TIGERS FANS, VOTE YOUR FAVORITE TIGERS ONTO THE ALL STAR TEAM! You can vote 25 times per name and e-mail address so have everybody in your family cast their 25 votes! Boesch can be a write in vote for out field.

Cabrera, Valverde are Tigers' All-Stars
Closer first from Detroit to be honored in 10 seasons

By Jason Beck / MLB.com

07/04/10 12:55 PM ET

DETROIT -- The Tigers missed out on an All-Star starter, but they didn't miss out on All-Star firepower. While first baseman Miguel Cabrera earned his first All-Star selection as a member of the Tigers, Jose Valverde became the first Detroit closer to make the Midsummer Classic in 10 years.

Both were named to the AL All-Stars thanks to player balloting, which determines many of the reserve spots as well as much of the pitching staff.

It marks the fifth All-Star selection for Cabrera, who is just 27 years old. He made four consecutive NL All-Star rosters with the Florida Marlins but had been left out the past two years with the Tigers. His midseason shift from third to first base in 2008 hurt him in the balloting, as did a rough start at the plate that year. He had a case for selection last year but was the odd man out in a stacked group of AL first basemen.

Cabrera's numbers this year, though, have been impossible to ignore. He entered Sunday ranked second in the Majors with 20 home runs and 68 RBIs, and his 1.047 OPS ranked second among AL hitters behind Justin Morneau.

Cabrera fell about 347,000 votes shy of Morneau in fan balloting for the starting nod at first base, but a late rally of online ballots pushed him past Mark Teixeira for second place. His 2,586,207 votes was by far the highest of any Tigers player.

Valverde was an All-Star in 2007 in Arizona, when he saved 47 games for the D-backs. His 18 saves for the Tigers entering Sunday ranked fifth in the American League, but his surrounding numbers have made the real impression. Opponents have managed just two earned runs 11 hits off him in 35 innings, good for a 0.51 ERA. One of those runs came on a homer. He has walked 14 and struck out 33.

Not since Todd Jones in 2000 had the Tigers put a closer into the All-Star Game.

Among the All-Star snubs was Brennan Boesch, who was vying to become the first Tigers rookie to get into the Midsummer Classic since Matt Nokes in 1997. His .342 batting average would tie him with Morneau for second in the Majors in batting average if Boesch had enough at-bats to qualify, while his .991 OPS would rank fourth.

Fans, having already decided the starters and this week the final player on each team, once again will have the opportunity to participate in the official voting for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player presented by Chevy via the 2010 All-Star Game MVP Vote sponsored by Sprint on MLB.com during the All-Star Game.

The 81st Major League Baseball All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and Sportsnet HD and Le Reseau des Sports, and around the world by Major League Baseball International, with pregame ceremonies beginning at 8 p.m. ET. ESPN Radio will provide exclusive national radio coverage. MLB Network, MLB.com and Sirius XM also will provide comprehensive All-Star Game coverage.


2010 All-Stars
AL starters
C: J. Mauer, MIN
1B: J. Morneau, MIN
2B: R. Cano, NYY
SS: D. Jeter, NYY
3B: E. Longoria, TB
OF: J. Hamilton, TEX
OF: I. Suzuki, SEA
OF: C. Crawford, TB
DH: V. Guerrero, TEX

NL starters
C: Y. Molina, STL
1B: A. Pujols, STL
2B: C. Utley, PHI
SS: H. Ramirez, FLA
3B: D. Wright, NYM
OF: R. Braun, MIL
OF: A. Ethier, LA
OF: J. Heyward, ATL

AL Final Vote
• P. Konerko, CWS |
• N. Swisher, NYY |
• D. Young, MIN |
• M. Young, TEX |
• K. Youkilis, BOS |

NL Final Vote
• H. Bell, SD |
• C. Gonzalez, COL |
• J. Votto, CIN |
• B. Wagner, ATL |
• R. Zimmerman, WAS |


• CAST FINAL VOTE
• Campaign Manager
• All-Star FanFest
• All-Star Sunday
• All-Star Game shop

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Last Updated: July 08. 2010 1:00AM
Tony Paul: Baseball Insider
AL pitching schedules might put Justin Verlander in All-Star Game

The All-Star rosters could still get a significant shakeup in the coming days.

A new rule this year states any starter who pitches Sunday is prohibited from pitching in Tuesday's All-Star Game, and there are a handful who fall into the category -- including CC Sabathia of the Yankees and Trevor Cahill of the Athletics.

That leaves at least two vacancies on the AL's pitching staff.

The obvious addition, after New York's Andy Pettitte replaced Boston's Clay Buchholz on Monday, would be Los Angeles' Jered Weaver. Problem is, Weaver, MLB's strikeout leader, is scheduled to pitch Sunday, too, and his manager, Mike Scioscia, has no plans to alter the rotation.

Weaver likely will be picked by AL manager Joe Girardi anyway, thus giving Weaver credit as an All-Star -- and the $50,000 bonus he's due for making the team -- before Girardi turns to yet another replacement.

This could provide an opening for Detroit's Justin Verlander (10-5) to make his third AL team in four years. As for Cahill, Oakland's only rep, Girardi might want to replace him with another Athletics pitcher, so stud closer Andrew Bailey (1.59 ERA, 17 saves in 20 chances) would be wise to keep his phone charged.

No roster switches can be announced until Sunday's probables actually throw a pitch Sunday.

In more All-Star roster news:

• Yankees closer Mariano Rivera (knee) pulled out, and was replaced by another big AL East bullpen arm, Rays closer Rafael Soriano, certainly a fine choice. My pick, though, would have been Minnesota's Jon Rauch, who, with a 2.45 ERA and 19 saves in 23 chances, has been a savior of sorts for the contending Twins since closer Joe Nathan (Tommy John surgery) was lost for the season in spring training.

• The NL lost Brewers starter Yovani Gallardo (oblique) on Tuesday and manager Charlie Manuel replaced him Wednesday with Padres closer Heath Bell, who's 23 saves are tied for the most in the NL. It sure makes sense for a Padres pitcher to be on the team -- Mat Latos (9-4, 2.62) was deserving, too -- as they have the best record in the NL mostly because of their lights-out staff. But Manuel's move takes a bit of suspense out of the final ballot, which Bell was on (although Reds first baseman Joey Votto, this year's biggest reserve snub, almost certainly will be named the winner Thursday afternoon).

...


From The Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/article/20100708/OPINION03/7080418/1129/SPORTS0104/AL-pitching-schedules-might-put-Justin-Verlander-in-All-Star-Game#ixzz0t8cIAfVW

• Sunday, July 11 - XM All-Star Futures Game (MLB.TV, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD at 6 p.m. ET)
• Sunday, July 11 - Taco Bell All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game

• Monday, Jul. 12 - State Farm Home Run Derby (ESPN, ESPN HD, ESPN Deportes, ESPN 3D and ESPN Radio in the United States beginning at 8 p.m. ET)

• Tuesday, Jul. 13 - 81st All-Star Game, in Anaheim (FOX, 8:00 p.m. ET)

American League

Starters

Pos	Player
C	Joe Mauer, MIN
1B	Miguel Cabrera, DET
2B	Robinson Cano, NYY
SS	Derek Jeter, NYY
3B	Evan Longoria, TB
OF	Josh Hamilton, TEX
OF	Ichiro Suzuki, SEA
OF	Carl Crawford, TB
DH	Vladimir Guerrero, TEX

Pitchers

Pos	Player
P	Clay Buchholz, BOS*
P	Trevor Cahill, OAK
P	Fausto Carmona, CLE
P	Neftali Feliz, TEX
P	Phil Hughes, NYY
P	Cliff Lee, TEX
P	Jon Lester, BOS
P	Andy Pettitte, NYY@
P	David Price, TB
P	Mariano Rivera, NYY*
P	CC Sabathia, NYY
P	Joakim Soria, KC
P	Rafael Soriano, TB@
P	Matt Thornton, CWS
P	Jose Valverde, DET

Reserves

Pos	Player
C	John Buck, TOR@
C	Victor Martinez, BOS*
1B	Paul Konerko, CWS >
1B	Justin Morneau, MIN*
2B	Dustin Pedroia, BOS*
2B	Ian Kinsler, TEX@
2B	Ty Wigginton, BAL
SS	Elvis Andrus, TEX
3B	Adrian Beltre, BOS
3B	Alex Rodriguez, NYY
OF	Jose Bautista, TOR
OF	Torii Hunter, LAA
OF	Nick Swisher, NYY#
OF	Vernon Wells, TOR
DH	David Ortiz, BOS

National League

Starters

Pos	Player
C	Yadier Molina, STL
1B	Albert Pujols, STL
2B	Chase Utley, PHI>
SS	Hanley Ramirez, FLA
3B	David Wright, NYM
OF	Ryan Braun, MIL
OF	Andre Ethier, LAD
OF	Jason Heyward, ATL

Pitchers

Pos	Player
P	Heath Bell, SD@
P	Jonathan Broxton, LAD
P	Matt Capps, WAS
P	Chris Carpenter, STL
P	Yovani Gallardo, MIL*
P	Roy Halladay, PHI
P	Tim Hudson, ATL
P	Ubaldo Jimenez, COL
P	Josh Johnson, FLA
P	Tim Lincecum, SF
P	Evan Meek, PIT
P	Arthur Rhodes, CIN
P	Adam Wainwright, STL
P	Brian Wilson, SF

Reserves

Pos	Player
C	Brian McCann, ATL
1B	Adrian Gonzalez, SD
1B	Ryan Howard, PHI
1B	Joey Votto, CIN#
2B	Brandon Phillips, CIN
2B	Martin Prado, ATL$
SS	Jose Reyes, NYM@
SS	Troy Tulowitzki, COL*
3B	Omar Infante, ATL
3B	Scott Rolen, CIN
OF	Michael Bourn, HOU
OF	Marlon Byrd, CHC
OF	Corey Hart, MIL
OF	Matt Holliday, STL
OF	Chris Young, ARI

Notes:


* Chosen on Player Ballot, on the DL
> Chosen by fans, on the DL
@ Injury replacement

$ Named as reserve, will start as injury replacement
# Final Vote winner

Verlander gets All-Star call
Tigers ace excited to play in his third Midsummer Classic

By Alex DiFilippo / MLB.com

07/11/10 4:55 PM ET

DETROIT -- Because of the new rule implemented by Major League Baseball this year, Tigers ace Justin Verlander will make the trip to Anaheim to participate in Tuesday's All-Star Game.

The Yankees' CC Sabathia and Athletics' Trevor Cahill both started for their respective teams on Sunday, making them ineligible to pitch in the Midsummer Classic. Thus, American League All-Star manager Joe Girardi elected to choose Verlander and Athletics pitcher Andrew Bailey to attend in their absence.

Verlander owns an 11-5 record with a 3.82 ERA and 110 strikeouts in 115 1/3 innings pitched. But when it was time for the players to vote for their All-Star selections, Verlander didn't vote for himself. At that point, he didn't think he was having a good enough season to be an All-Star.

"The All-Star Game is the All-Star Game, no matter how you get there," Verlander said before the official announcement was made. "Like I said earlier, when the time came for voting and stuff, I didn't feel like I was warranted to go. But since then, I think I've thrown the ball pretty well. I wouldn't be out of place there. It's always an honor to go and represent your team and represent your city. I'd definitely be excited."

Verlander, who will play in his third All-Star Game in four years, said he looks forward to seeing how fellow Tigers, Miguel Cabrera and Jose Valverde, fare in Anaheim.

"That's always the most excited about it for me, seeing my teammates," Verlander said. "If I get to go out there, it would be exciting to watch the Home Run Derby and watch Miggy put on a show like he does everyday here for us at batting practice."

Alex DiFilippo is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.