Seven Stars each for Cubs, Red Sox
NEW YORK – Maybe Manny Ramirez, Alfonso Soriano and the rest of the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs should just play their own All-Star game.
A charmed season for the Cubs got even better Sunday when they put a team-record seven players on the N.L. roster. The World Series champion Red Sox also will send seven to Yankee Stadium on July 15.
“They love me everywhere, what can I tell you?” Ramirez said. “That’s why I’m here. I guess I’m not stealing money.”
Said New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez: “It’s going to be weird having them in our locker room.”
The Tampa Bay Rays, with the best record in the majors, did not have a single player elected to start. Pitcher Scott Kazmir and catcher Dioner Navarro were added to the A.L. squad as reserves.
The Yankees will be well represented, too, on a night showcasing Hall of Famers and a famed ballpark in its final year. Rodriguez will be joined by Yankees captain Derek Jeter and closer Mariano Rivera.
There was only one change in the last week of fan voting for starters – Milwaukee outfielder Ryan Braun overtook Ken Griffey Jr. in the N.L. outfield. Griffey finished fourth and was left off the team.
Rodriguez was the top overall vote-getter for the second straight year at 3,934,518 and became a 12-time All-Star, as did Ramirez. Philadelphia second baseman Chase Utley led the N.L. voting with 3,889,602.
Outfielders Kosuke Fukudome and Soriano and rookie catcher Geovany Soto were chosen to start for the Cubs, who own the best record in the league. Soriano has been out with a broken left hand, but may return in time to play.
Cubs pitchers Kerry Wood and Ryan Dempster and third baseman Aramis Ramirez were chosen by N.L. players, and pitcher Carlos Zambrano was picked by N.L. manager Clint Hurdle of Colorado.
Ramirez, David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis of the Red Sox were elected by fans. Ortiz is on the disabled list with an injured wrist but will attend; Francona said Texas’ Milton Bradley would become the designated hitter.
Boston outfielder J.D. Drew, catcher Jason Varitek and closer Jonathan Papelbon were picked by a vote of A.L. players.
The A.L. starting lineup: Youkilis at first base, Pedroia at second base, Jeter at shortstop, Rodriguez at third base, outfielders Josh Hamilton of Texas, Ichiro Suzuki of Seattle and Ramirez, and Minnesota catcher Joe Mauer.
Starting for the NL: Houston first baseman Lance Berkman, Utley at second base, Florida shortstop Hanley Ramirez and Atlanta third baseman Chipper Jones, with Soriano, Fukudome and Braun in the outfield. Soto will become the first rookie catcher to start for the N.L.
The A.L. candidates for the last spot in Internet voting: outfielders Jermaine Dye and Jose Guillen, first baseman Jason Giambi, second baseman Brian Roberts and third baseman Evan Longoria.
The N.L. candidates: outfielders Pat Burrell, Corey Hart, Carlos Lee and Aaron Rowand and third baseman David Wright.