Major League Baseball announced the American League and National League rosters for the July 12th All-Star game from Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona.
Plenty of regulars are making their return the mid-summers classic including Alex Rodriguez (now an All-Star 14 times), Derek Jeter (12), David Ortiz (seven), Brian McCann (six straight), Lance Berkman (six), Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Hamilton and Ryan Braun (four straight each).
However, there are also a number of all-stars making their first time appearances including Gonzalez, McCann, Curtis Granderson, Alex Avila, Matt Kemp, Rickie Weeks and Jose Bautista.
Albert Pujols and Joe Mauer, who accumulated the most votes last season are absent from this years all-star game.
Here are the rosters for this year…
American League
• Catcher: Alex Avila
• First base: Adrian Gonzalez (Red Sox)
• Second base: Robinson Cano (Yankess)
• Third base: Alex Rodriguez (Yankees)
• Shortstop: Derek Jeter (Yankees)
• Outfield: Jose Bautista (Blue Jays), Curtis Granderson (Yankees) and Josh Hamilton (Rangers)
• DH: David Ortiz (Red Sox)
The AL pitching staff consists of: starters Josh Beckett (Red Sox), Gio Gonzalez (Athletics), Felix Hernandez (Mariners), David Price (Rays), James Shields (Rays), Justin Verlander (Tigers), Jered Weaver (Angels) and C.J. Wilson (Rangers); and relievers Aaron Crow (Royals), Brandon League (Mariners), Chris Perez (Indians), Mariano Rivera (Yankees) and Jose Valverde (Tigers).
And the backup position players are: catchers Russel Martin (Yankees) and Matt Wieters (Orioles); infielders Adrian Beltre (Rangers), Asdrubal Cabrera (Indians), Miguel Cabrera (Tigers) and Howard Kendrick (Angels); outfielders Michael Cuddyer (Twins), Jacoby Ellsbury (Red Sox), Matt Joyce (Rays) and Carlos Quentin (White Sox); and DH Michael Young (Rangers).
National League
• Catcher: Brian McCann (Braves)
• First base: Prince Fielder (Brewers)
• Second base: Rickie Weeks (Brewers)
• Third base: Placido Polanco (Phillies)
• Shortstop: Jose Reyes (Mets)
• Outfield: Ryan Braun (Brewers), Matt Kemp (Dodgers) and Lance Berkman (Cardinals)
The NL pitching staff consists of: starters Matt Cain (Giants), Roy Halladay (Phillies), Cole Hamels (Phillies), Jair Jurrjens (Braves), Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers), Cliff Lee (Phillies), Tim Lincecum (Giants) and Ryan Vogelsong (Giants); and relievers Heath Bell (Padres), Tyler Clippard (Nationals), Joel Hanrahan (Pirates), Jonny Venters (Braves) and Brian Wilson (Giants).
The NL’s bench will include: catcher Yadier Molina (Cardinals); infielders Starlin Castro (Cubs), Chipper Jones (Braves), Phillips, Gaby Sanchez (Marlins), Tulowitzki and Votto; outfielders Carlos Beltran (Mets), Jay Bruce (Reds), Matt Holliday (Cardinals), Hunter Pence (Astros) and Justin Upton (D-backs).
The Final Vote is now underway to decide the last couple roster spots on both squads. Final voting will come down to Alex Gordon of the Royals, Adam Jones of the Orioles, Paul Konerko of the White Sox, Victor Martinez of the Tigers and Ben Zobrist of the Rays in the AL; and Andre Ethier of the Dodgers, Todd Helton of the Rockies, Ian Kennedy of the D-backs, Michael Morse of the Nationals and Shane Victorino of the Phillies in the NL.
You can vote for Final Vote by clicking here.
There is also the decision of who will be the starting pitcher for the all-star game. This decision comes down to the manager of each team. However MLB rules state that no pitcher who starts next Sunday will be eligible to pitch in the Midsummer Classic.
Source: MLB.com