GaryMrMets
07-03-2005, 11:37 PM
Eleven first-time starters selected for All-Star Game
SportsTicker
NEW YORK (Ticker) - The 76th All-Star Game will have a bit of a new feel.
David Ortiz, Johnny Damon and Jason Varitek of the world champion Boston Red Sox make up half of the six first-time starters for the American League in the All-Star Game on July 12 in Detroit.
First baseman Mark Teixeira of the Texas Rangers, second baseman Brian Roberts and shortstop Miguel Tejada of the Baltimore Orioles also were named starters for the first time.
The National League will feature five first-time starters in first baseman Derrek Lee of the Chicago Cubs, shortstop David Eckstein and outfielder Jim Edmonds of the St. Louis Cardinals, and outfielders Carlos Beltran of the New York Mets and Bobby Abreu of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Last season, the NL had a historic outfield of Barry Bonds, Ken Griffey Jr. and Sammy Sosa, who all have hit 500 career homers. None of those players were selected this year.
Showing that what you do on the field matters, Rangers pitcher Kenny Rogers and Gary Sheffield of the New York Yankees were selected as reserves for the AL. Sheffield was selected on a player ballot.
Rogers was suspended 20 games and fined an undisclosed amount Friday by Commissioner Bud Selig for shoving two cameramen. However, the choice of Rogers was an easy one as the veteran lefthander is 9-4 with a 2.46 ERA, third in the AL.
Selig talked to Sporting News radio Sunday night about Rogers being named an All-Star, saying, "That's just an issue that we'll deal with later."
Sheffield, the subject of trade rumors, made it known earlier this week that he would make "trouble" for any team that acquired him. The veteran is appealing a two-game suspension for verbal abuse of an umpire and is hitting .297 with 13 homers and 58 RBI in 77 games.
The best designated hitter in the game, Ortiz led all players with 4,138,141 votes. He is batting .310 with 19 homers and 68 RBI in 78 games for the AL East-leading Red Sox. The Red Sox and Rangers each had four players selected.
The Chicago White Sox, who have baseball's best record, do not have any starters but have reserves in first baseman Paul Konerko and pitchers Mark Buehrle and Jon Garland, who is tied with Florida's Dontrelle Willis for the major league lead with 13 wins.
In the NL, the Cardinals, who are running away with the Central Division, had the most representatives with six, including three starters. In addition to Eckstein and Edmonds, Scott Rolen won the voting at third base. First baseman Albert Pujols and pitchers Chris Carpenter and Jason Isringhausen also are on the team.
"That's as many rookies as we had in the lineup last night," Colorado Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said.
Lee, who leads the league in average (.383) and is second in homers (25) and RBI (67) was the NL's top vote-getter with 3,560,316, edging Pujols (3,455,017) in the voting.
"To be voted on the team by the fans and get the most votes in the National League is a great honor," Lee said. "It shows that (the fans) have been paying attention. I've had a pretty good first half. I'm looking forward to the experience and so is my family."
Jeff Kent of the Los Angeles Dodgers garnered his second straight start at second base for the NL. He finished less than 300,000 votes ahead of Mark Grudzielanek of the Cardinals.
Mike Piazza of the New York Mets was selected as a starter at catcher for a record 11th time. The 1996 All-Star Game MVP, Piazza surpassed Johnny Bench and Ivan Rodriguez, both elected as starters 10 times.
NL manager Tony La Russa of the Cardinals looks to have a loaded pitching staff headed by seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens of the Houston Astros and three-time Cy Young Award winner Pedro Martinez of the Mets.
The 42-year-old Clemens has showed no signs of slowing down this season, posting a 7-3 record with a major league-leading 1.41 ERA.
"It's very flattering. Everything that has happened in the last couple years has been icing on the cake because I never expected to be here," said Clemens, named an All-Star for the 11th time. "To have your peers vote you in that game is very spec
ial."
Back in the NL where he started his career, Martinez has been the anchor of the Mets' staff, going 9-2 with a 2.74 ERA while leading the league with 123 strikeouts.
Willis, who tied Garland for the major league lead in wins Sunday, also is part of the staff. The lefthander will be joined by starters Carpenter and Livan Hernandez of the surprising Washington Nationals.
The bullpen of the NL consists of Isringhausen, Houston's Brad Lidge and Washington's Chad Cordero, who leads the majors with 29 saves.
"That's a real honor to have the players vote you in like that, it means that they recognize what I've been doing," said Cordero, who had a string of 26 straight successful save conversions snapped Sunday. "To have them vote me on the team is a great compliment. I'm excited about being selected and look forward to the game."
Selected as a result of voting by major league players, coaches and managers for the NL were catcher Paul Lo Duca and second baseman Luis Castillo of the Marlins, shortstop Cesar Izturis of the Los Angeles Dodgers, third baseman Aramis Ramirez of the Cubs, and outfielders Andruw Jones of the Atlanta Braves, Miguel Cabrera of the Marlins and Carlos Lee of the Brewers.
The reserves named by La Russa are shortstop Felipe Lopez of the Cincinnati Reds, outfielders Moises Alou of the San Francisco Giants, Jason Bay of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Luis Gonzalez of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Pitchers are Brian Fuentes of the Colorado Rockies, Jake Peavy of the San Diego Padres and John Smoltz of the Braves.
Alex Rodriguez of the Yankees garnered his ninth All-Star selection and will start at third base for the second straight year for the AL.
Damon will be joined in the outfield by teammate Manny Ramirez and reigning AL MVP Vladimir Guerrero of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. It is Ramirez's seventh straight selection as a starter.
AL manager Terry Francona of the Red Sox has a staff that includes Toronto's Roy Halladay, Buehrle, Garland and reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana of the Minnesota Twins.
The AL's bullpen consists of B.J. Ryan of the Orioles, Mariano Rivera of the Yankees and Joe Nathan of the Twins.
Selected as a result of voting by major league players, coaches and managers are catcher Ivan Rodriguez of the Detroit Tigers, second baseman Alfonso Soriano of the Texas Rangers, third baseman Melvin Mora of the Orioles, shortstop Michael Young of the Rangers, outfielder Ichiro Suzuki of the Seattle Mariners and designated hitter Shea Hillenbrand of the Toronto Blue Jays.
Francona's reserves include first baseman Mike Sweeney of the Kansas City Royals and pitchers Danys Baez of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Bartolo Colon of the Angels, Justin Duchscherer of the Oakland Athletics and Bob Wickman of the Cleveland Indians.
Fans can vote online through Wednesday for the final addition in the both leagues. The AL candidates are Devil Rays outfielder Carl Crawford, Twins outfielder Torii Hunter, White Sox outfielder Scott Podsednik and Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter and outfielder Hideki Matsui.
NL candidates are Padres closer Trevor Hoffman, Diamondbacks pitcher Brandon Webb, Astros pitcher Roy Oswalt and Phillies pitchers Billy Wagner and Brett Myers.
For the third consecutive season, the outcome of the game will determine which league gets home-field advantage in the World Series. The AL has won the last two games.
07-03-05 21:17 ET
SportsTicker
NEW YORK (Ticker) - The 76th All-Star Game will have a bit of a new feel.
David Ortiz, Johnny Damon and Jason Varitek of the world champion Boston Red Sox make up half of the six first-time starters for the American League in the All-Star Game on July 12 in Detroit.
First baseman Mark Teixeira of the Texas Rangers, second baseman Brian Roberts and shortstop Miguel Tejada of the Baltimore Orioles also were named starters for the first time.
The National League will feature five first-time starters in first baseman Derrek Lee of the Chicago Cubs, shortstop David Eckstein and outfielder Jim Edmonds of the St. Louis Cardinals, and outfielders Carlos Beltran of the New York Mets and Bobby Abreu of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Last season, the NL had a historic outfield of Barry Bonds, Ken Griffey Jr. and Sammy Sosa, who all have hit 500 career homers. None of those players were selected this year.
Showing that what you do on the field matters, Rangers pitcher Kenny Rogers and Gary Sheffield of the New York Yankees were selected as reserves for the AL. Sheffield was selected on a player ballot.
Rogers was suspended 20 games and fined an undisclosed amount Friday by Commissioner Bud Selig for shoving two cameramen. However, the choice of Rogers was an easy one as the veteran lefthander is 9-4 with a 2.46 ERA, third in the AL.
Selig talked to Sporting News radio Sunday night about Rogers being named an All-Star, saying, "That's just an issue that we'll deal with later."
Sheffield, the subject of trade rumors, made it known earlier this week that he would make "trouble" for any team that acquired him. The veteran is appealing a two-game suspension for verbal abuse of an umpire and is hitting .297 with 13 homers and 58 RBI in 77 games.
The best designated hitter in the game, Ortiz led all players with 4,138,141 votes. He is batting .310 with 19 homers and 68 RBI in 78 games for the AL East-leading Red Sox. The Red Sox and Rangers each had four players selected.
The Chicago White Sox, who have baseball's best record, do not have any starters but have reserves in first baseman Paul Konerko and pitchers Mark Buehrle and Jon Garland, who is tied with Florida's Dontrelle Willis for the major league lead with 13 wins.
In the NL, the Cardinals, who are running away with the Central Division, had the most representatives with six, including three starters. In addition to Eckstein and Edmonds, Scott Rolen won the voting at third base. First baseman Albert Pujols and pitchers Chris Carpenter and Jason Isringhausen also are on the team.
"That's as many rookies as we had in the lineup last night," Colorado Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said.
Lee, who leads the league in average (.383) and is second in homers (25) and RBI (67) was the NL's top vote-getter with 3,560,316, edging Pujols (3,455,017) in the voting.
"To be voted on the team by the fans and get the most votes in the National League is a great honor," Lee said. "It shows that (the fans) have been paying attention. I've had a pretty good first half. I'm looking forward to the experience and so is my family."
Jeff Kent of the Los Angeles Dodgers garnered his second straight start at second base for the NL. He finished less than 300,000 votes ahead of Mark Grudzielanek of the Cardinals.
Mike Piazza of the New York Mets was selected as a starter at catcher for a record 11th time. The 1996 All-Star Game MVP, Piazza surpassed Johnny Bench and Ivan Rodriguez, both elected as starters 10 times.
NL manager Tony La Russa of the Cardinals looks to have a loaded pitching staff headed by seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens of the Houston Astros and three-time Cy Young Award winner Pedro Martinez of the Mets.
The 42-year-old Clemens has showed no signs of slowing down this season, posting a 7-3 record with a major league-leading 1.41 ERA.
"It's very flattering. Everything that has happened in the last couple years has been icing on the cake because I never expected to be here," said Clemens, named an All-Star for the 11th time. "To have your peers vote you in that game is very spec
ial."
Back in the NL where he started his career, Martinez has been the anchor of the Mets' staff, going 9-2 with a 2.74 ERA while leading the league with 123 strikeouts.
Willis, who tied Garland for the major league lead in wins Sunday, also is part of the staff. The lefthander will be joined by starters Carpenter and Livan Hernandez of the surprising Washington Nationals.
The bullpen of the NL consists of Isringhausen, Houston's Brad Lidge and Washington's Chad Cordero, who leads the majors with 29 saves.
"That's a real honor to have the players vote you in like that, it means that they recognize what I've been doing," said Cordero, who had a string of 26 straight successful save conversions snapped Sunday. "To have them vote me on the team is a great compliment. I'm excited about being selected and look forward to the game."
Selected as a result of voting by major league players, coaches and managers for the NL were catcher Paul Lo Duca and second baseman Luis Castillo of the Marlins, shortstop Cesar Izturis of the Los Angeles Dodgers, third baseman Aramis Ramirez of the Cubs, and outfielders Andruw Jones of the Atlanta Braves, Miguel Cabrera of the Marlins and Carlos Lee of the Brewers.
The reserves named by La Russa are shortstop Felipe Lopez of the Cincinnati Reds, outfielders Moises Alou of the San Francisco Giants, Jason Bay of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Luis Gonzalez of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Pitchers are Brian Fuentes of the Colorado Rockies, Jake Peavy of the San Diego Padres and John Smoltz of the Braves.
Alex Rodriguez of the Yankees garnered his ninth All-Star selection and will start at third base for the second straight year for the AL.
Damon will be joined in the outfield by teammate Manny Ramirez and reigning AL MVP Vladimir Guerrero of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. It is Ramirez's seventh straight selection as a starter.
AL manager Terry Francona of the Red Sox has a staff that includes Toronto's Roy Halladay, Buehrle, Garland and reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana of the Minnesota Twins.
The AL's bullpen consists of B.J. Ryan of the Orioles, Mariano Rivera of the Yankees and Joe Nathan of the Twins.
Selected as a result of voting by major league players, coaches and managers are catcher Ivan Rodriguez of the Detroit Tigers, second baseman Alfonso Soriano of the Texas Rangers, third baseman Melvin Mora of the Orioles, shortstop Michael Young of the Rangers, outfielder Ichiro Suzuki of the Seattle Mariners and designated hitter Shea Hillenbrand of the Toronto Blue Jays.
Francona's reserves include first baseman Mike Sweeney of the Kansas City Royals and pitchers Danys Baez of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Bartolo Colon of the Angels, Justin Duchscherer of the Oakland Athletics and Bob Wickman of the Cleveland Indians.
Fans can vote online through Wednesday for the final addition in the both leagues. The AL candidates are Devil Rays outfielder Carl Crawford, Twins outfielder Torii Hunter, White Sox outfielder Scott Podsednik and Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter and outfielder Hideki Matsui.
NL candidates are Padres closer Trevor Hoffman, Diamondbacks pitcher Brandon Webb, Astros pitcher Roy Oswalt and Phillies pitchers Billy Wagner and Brett Myers.
For the third consecutive season, the outcome of the game will determine which league gets home-field advantage in the World Series. The AL has won the last two games.
07-03-05 21:17 ET