| MLB: Nomar, A.J. named Final Vote winners
CHICAGO -- White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski edged out Minnesota rookie pitcher Francisco Liriano for the final AL All-Star spot, while NL batting leader Nomar Garciaparra earned the last NL slot Thursday in fan voting on the Internet.
AL manager Ozzie Guillen will now have seven of his own Chicago players on the roster.
Pierzynski, a catalyst as the White Sox won the World Series last year, is hitting .326 with five home runs and 28 RBI. Liriano also got strong support after going 9-1 with a 1.99 ERA.
Pierzynski finished ahead of Liriano, the Indians' Travis Hafner, the Tigers' Justin Verlander and the Orioles' Ramon Hernandez.
Garciaparra tops the NL in hitting at .359, with 10 home runs and 49 RBI. In his first year with the Los Angeles Dodgers, he's playing first base.
Garciaparra finished ahead of the Brewers' Chris Capuano, 2004 Final Vote winner Bobby Abreu of the Phillies, the Mets' Billy Wagner and the Padres' Chris Young.
The All-Star Game will be Tuesday night in Pittsburgh. The rosters were announced Sunday, except for the last two players to be picked in fan voting on the Internet. |