Two years ago, Shane Victorino trailed with 24 Red Sox Carl Crawford Jersey hours to go. One year ago, Paul Konerko trailed with 24 hours to go. Now both players enter the homestretch with the lead Adrian Gonzalez Jersey and a chance for a rare double wire-to-wire finish in the 10th annual All-Star Game Final Vote Sponsored by Sprint.
Fans worldwide are deciding the 34th and final spots for Tuesday’s 82nd All-Star Game at Chase Field in Phoenix. Balloting closes at 4 p.m. ET Thursday Phillies Cole Hamels Jersey and winners will Phillies Roy Halladay Jersey be announced shortly thereafter Authentic Roy Halladay Jersey on MLB.com. Millions of votes are still to come, so no margin may be safe amid robust campaigning that includes social-media mayhem and an unprecedented five club-and-club alliances.
Victorino, the Phillies outfielder bidding to become the first two-time Final Vote winner, maintained his National League lead over Dodgers right fielder Andre Carl Crawford Jersey Ethier, Rockies first baseman Todd Helton, Nationals left fielder Michael Morse and D-backs pitcher Ian Kennedy. Will Ryan Howard Jersey fans keep backing a player whose availability for Tuesday is in question? Victorino is out with a mild thumb sprain and will be re-evaluated on Friday, when it will be determined if he’s OK or goes on the disabled list.
Konerko, the White Sox first baseman who matched Billy Wagner as the only three-time Final Vote candidate, continued to be followed in the American League ballot standings by Tigers DH/catcher Victor Martinez, Royals left fielder Alex Gordon, Orioles Red Sox Adrian Gonzalez Jersey center fielder Adam Jones and Rays second baseman Ben Zobrist. Last year, Konerko was in the third place with 24 hours to go, as Yankees outfielder Nick Swisher survived a see-saw battle with Kevin Youkilis of the Red Phillies Ryan Howard Jersey Sox.
Balloting commenced at Red Sox Carlton Fisk Jersey 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, following the announcement of 66 All-Star starters and reserves. There is no limit on the number of times you can vote.
For those voting by mobile device: U.S. residents can send “VOTE” to 89269 to receive the 2011 All-Star Game Sprint Final Vote ballot, and in Canada, text “VOTE” to Authentic Ryan Howard Jersey 65246.
During the voting, campaign endorsements have come Cole Hamels Jersey via Twitter from some of the players’ most famous fans, including Arizona Sen. John McCain endorsing a Kennedy (from the Authentic Carl Crawford Jersey Midsummer Classic host D-backs); Shaquille O’Neal boosting support for Victorino; John Wall backing fellow DC star Morse; and American Idol winner David Cook and Cliff Lee Jersey actress Alyssa Milano rallying Authentic Cole Hamels Jersey for Gordon and Ethier, respectively.
Alliances include Morse and Jones (Beltway Ballot); Kennedy and Zobrist (1998 expansion brethren); Martinez and Authentic Adrian Gonzalez Jersey Victorino (Victor-Victorino); Ethier and Konerko (Camelback Ranch Spring cohabs); and Helton and Gordon (Rox & Royals). Each club also is campaigning for its respective ally.
Fans are doing their own grassroots work at MLB.com Roy Halladay Jersey with the All-Star Campaign Manager program. It allows fans to tally points by getting friends, family and co-workers to vote through social networking, and competing to be recognized as an “official” Final Vote Campaign Manager for any player they helped support.
