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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.


      "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.
      

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Sports

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.

Mauer top vote-getter for All-Star game

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