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Pujols leads in voting for All-Star

ALBERT Pujols will be in a familiar spot when St Louis hosts the 80th All-Star game. Boston knuckleballer Tim Wakefield is headed for a brand new situation.

Pujols was the leading vote-getter in balloting for the Midsummer Classic announced on Sunday by Major League Baseball, giving the Cardinals' first baseman the start in his home ballpark.

The National League MVP is well on his way to another amazing year, leading the majors with 31 homers and 82 RBIs. He collected 5,397,374 votes to finish with the second-highest total in major league history, trailing only Ken Griffey Jr's six million votes in 1994.

Wakefield made his first All-Star roster in his 17th season, one of a major league-high six Red Sox headed to Busch Stadium for the July 14 game. The 42-year-old right-hander is tied for the big league lead with 10 wins.

Teammate Dustin Pedroia, the reigning American League MVP, passed Texas' Ian Kinsler in a close vote at second base and left fielder Jason Bay also won a spot in the lineup.

The injury-riddled Mets lead the NL with four selections. Center fielder Carlos Beltran and third baseman David Wright were elected by the fans, but Beltran has been out with a bruised right knee and likely won't play.

New York ace Johan Santana and closer Francisco Rodriguez were selected by the players.

Starting for the NL: Pujols at first, Philadelphia second baseman Chase Utley, Florida shortstop Hanley Ramirez, Wright at third, Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina and Beltran, Milwaukee's Ryan Braun and Philadelphia's Raul Ibanez in the outfield. Ibanez has been sidelined by a groin injury and could sit out.

The AL starting lineup: Teixeira at first, Pedroia at second, Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria, outfielders Bay, Josh Hamilton of Texas and Ichiro Suzuki of Seattle, and Minnesota catcher Joe Mauer.





 

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