Pujols, Renteria In Tight Races
Rolen running away with vote at third base
By Matthew Leach / MLB.com
June 14, 2004
Cardinals fans have had to sit back and watch -- or sit at their computers and click -- while Astros fans have kept Adam Everett and Jeff Bagwell neck-and-neck with Edgar Renteria and Albert Pujols in balloting for the 2004 All-Star Game.
Now the "best fans in baseball" get their in-stadium shot at making those races look a little bit different. With the Redbirds beginning a nine-game homestand on Tuesday, perhaps Pujols will stretch out his lead the way Scott Rolen already has, and Renteria can regain his advantage.
If things break just right for the boys with the "birds on the bat," the Cardinals could have three of the four starting infielders on July 13 at Minute Maid Park.
"It would be perfect, like last year when we were all there," Renteria said.
Pujols holds an edge of 85,039 votes over the Astros' Jeff Bagwell at first base, while Rolen is a runaway leader at third base. Rolen has 998,851 votes, while second-place Aramis Ramirez has 450,421. Renteria-Everett has been the closest race in the NL all along, and Renteria now trails the Houston shortstop by 79,358 votes.
Renteria, Rolen and Pujols all started for the NL at U.S. Cellular Field in 2003, though Pujols made it as an outfielder. Jim Edmonds, who was named as a reserve to the National League team last year, ranks eighth among outfielders, but distantly trails third-place Sammy Sosa.
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, and has established himself as a leading MVP candidate in the early-going.
Pujols is a two-time All-Star, but last season brought his first start. It's been an up-and-down year for the slugger. He started the season slow, but came on to enjoy one of his typical hot streaks before going down with a hamstring injury. He returned to the lineup as a designated hitter over the weekend.
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.
"You work a lot of years to be in the All-Star Game," Renteria said. "You always want to be in it, every year.
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