The starting lineups for the 2012 All-Star Game have been revealed. The American League starters consists of Rangers' outfielder Josh Hamilton, catcher Mike Napoli and third baseman Adrian Beltre along with Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano, shortstop Derek Jeter and outfielder Curtis Granderson. Also selected to start for the AL were Detroit first baseman Prince Fielder, Toronto outfielder Jose Bautista and Boston designated hitter David Ortiz. Hamilton, the 2010 AL MVP, received a record 11,073,744 votes in fan balloting and was elected to start for a fifth straight year.
Reserves for the AL include Angels outfielders Mike Trout and Mark Trumbo, Texas infielders Ian Kinsler and Elvis Andrus and Baltimore's Matt Wieters and Adam Jones. Paul Konerko and Adam Dunn of the White Sox also made the team along with Twins catcher Joe Mauer, Detroit's Miguel Cabrera, Cleveland's Asdrubal Cabrera and Billy Butler of the Royals.
The American League pitching staff includes Jered Weaver and C.J. Wilson of the Angels and David Price and Fernando Rodney of the Rays. Reigning AL Cy Young and MVP winner Justin Verlander is on the staff along with White Sox lefty Chris Sale. CC Sabathia of the Yankees was named to the team but won't pitch due to an injury. Also included are Felix Hernandez of Seattle, Oakland's Ryan Cook, Matt Harrison and Joe Nathan of the Rangers, Chris Perez of Cleveland and Orioles closer Jim Johnson.
Giants catcher Buster Posey, third baseman Pablo Sandoval and outfielder Melky Cabrera will start for the National League. It's the first time three Giants have been voted into the contest by fans since 2001. Cincinnati's Joey Votto will start at first base and will be joined in the NL infield by Atlanta second baseman Dan Uggla and St. Louis shortstop Rafael Furcal. In addition to Cabrera, the outfield will consist of Matt Kemp of the Dodgers and Carlos Beltran of the Cardinals.
National League Reserves include Starlin Castro and Bryan LaHair of the Cubs, Giancarlo Stanton of the Marlins, Mets third baseman David Wright, Carlos Ruiz of the Phillies and Yadier Molina of the Cardinals. Andrew McCutchen of the Pirates is also slated to be on the bench alongside Colorado's Carlos Gonzalez, Ian Desmond of the Nationals, Jay Bruce of the Reds, Houston's Jose Altuve and last year's NL MVP Ryan Braun of the Brewers.
The NL pitching staff is powered by Mets knuckleballer R.A. Dickey as well as Washington's Stephen Strasburg and Gio Gonzalez, Wade Miley of Arizona, Dodgers hurler Clayton Kershaw and Matt Cain who threw a perfect game earlier this year for the Giants. Also pitching for the Senior Circuit will be Padres closer Huston Street, Lance Lynn of the Cardinals, Phillies arms Jonathan Papelbon and Cole Hamels, Crag Kimbrel of the Braves, Joel Hanrahan of Pittsburgh and Reds flame-thrower Aroldis Chapman.
(Copyright WBGZ Radio/ www.AltonDailyNews.com)
