Renteria Leads All-Star Voting
Pujols, Rolen also on track for starting nods
By Matthew Leach / MLB.com
June 07, 2004
Just as the Cardinals passed the Astros in the NL Central standings this week, St. Louis' shortstop nosed past Houston's shortstop in All-Star balloting.
Edgar Renteria passed Adam Everett to take over first place among NL shortstops after trailing Everett in the first round of results.
Still, it's an extremely close race. Renteria, last year's starter at shortstop, has 367,301 votes to Everett's 365,056. That is the narrowest margin between first and second of any NL race.
Should Renteria hold on, he could give the Cardinals three of the four starting infielders on July 13 at Minute Maid Park. Albert Pujols holds an edge of just under 41,000 votes over the Astros' Jeff Bagwell at first base, while Scott Rolen is a runaway leader at third base. Rolen has over 596,000 votes, while in second place, Aramis Ramirez is a bit shy of 340,000.
"Any time you're named to the All-Star Game, in itself it's an honor and a thrill," said Rolen. "But to be down there with your teammates, just like last year, makes it a special experience.
"But my main concern right now is to get these guys back on the field and win some ballgames."
Renteria, Rolen and Pujols all started for the NL at U.S. Cellular Field in 2003, though Pujols made it as an outfielder that year. Jim Edmonds, who was named as a reserve to the National League team last year, ranks eighth among outfielders but has barely half as many votes as third-place Ken Griffey Jr.
Pujols is a two-time All-Star, but last season marked his first start. He has bounced back from a bit of a slow start -- by his standards -- to enjoy a torrid couple of weeks. However, a hamstring injury may sideline Pujols for a few days or more.
Rolen has started at third base for the NL the past two years -- as a Phillie in 2002 and a Cardinal in '03. He's the Major League leader in RBIs while playing his usual Gold Glove-caliber defense.
Renteria is having a down year at the plate, but the two-time Gold Glover is still regarded by many as the league's best all-around shortstop. Last year was his third All-Star Game, but his first as a starter. He became the first player from Colombia to be voted an All-Star starter.
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