>>Bautista, Braun Lead AL And NL All-Stars
(New York, NY) -- Major League Baseball revealed the rosters for the 2011
All-Star Game on Sunday. The 82nd Midsummer Classic will be played July 12th
at Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Toronto Blue Jays outfielder
Jose Bautista was the top overall vote-getter, while Milwaukee Brewers' outfielder
Ryan Braun claimed the number-one spot in the National League. Bautista's nearly
seven-and-a-half-million votes broke Ken Griffey Junior's record of over six-million
votes set in 1994. The rest of the NL infield starters include Atlanta Braves catcher
Brian McCann, Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder, his teammate Rickie Weeks
at second base, New York Mets shortstop Jose Reyes and Philadelphia Phillies
third baseman Placido Polanco. Joining Braun in the NL outfield will be Matt
Kemp of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Lance Berkman of the St. Louis Cardinals.
Headlining the NL pitching staff is a trio of Phillies starters in Roy Halladay, Cliff
Lee and Cole Hamels.
The American League's starting infield is Detroit Tigers catcher Alex Avila, Red
Sox first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and the Yankees' Robinson Cano, Derek Jeter
and Alex Rodriguez at second base, shortstop and third base, respectively. Curtis
Granderson of the Yankees and Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers join Bautista
in the AL outfield, with Boston's David Ortiz in the DH role. Reigning AL Cy
Young award winner Felix Hernandez of the Seattle Mariners highlights the AL
pitching staff. Each team will have one additional player added by fan vote. The
National League choices are Andre Ethier of the Dodgers, Todd Helton of the
Rockies, Ian Kennedy of the D'backs, Michael Morse of the Nationals and Shane
Victorino of the Phillies. The American League candidates are Alex Gordon of the
Royals, Adam Jones of the Orioles, Paul Konerko of the White Sox, Victor
Martinez of the Tigers and Ben Zobrist of the Rays.
>>Quentin, Castro Named All-Stars
(Phoenix, AZ) -- White Sox outfielder Carlos Quentin and Cubs shortstop Starlin
Castro were both named All-Stars on Sunday. Quentin was named a reserve for
the American League, while Castro is a reserve for the National League.
Meantime, Sox slugger Paul Konerko is one of five AL players who can be voted
on to the team by virtue of the league's "Final Vote". Fans can vote online at
MLB.com.
>>Trio Of Cards Selected As All-Stars
(St. Petersburg, FL) -- Lance Berkman leads a trio of Cardinals as selections for
the 2011 Major League All-Star game. Berkman, a six time all-star, will be a
starter next week in Phoenix, and will be joined by catcher Yadier Molina and
outfielder Matt Holliday, who were selected in reserve roles for the National
League. Injured first baseman Albert Pujols fell to the third in the voting in the final
weeks of voting. Molina will be making his third All-Star appearance while
Holliday will mark his fifth. The game is set for next Tuesday night, July 12th.