Rolen Top Votegetter And Pujols, Renteria Also Will Start
By R.B. Fallstrom/AP Sports Writer
July 06, 2004
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- For the first time in 22 years, the All-Star Game will have three infield starters from the same team. All of them are Cardinals.
Third baseman Scott Rolen was the top NL votegetter in fan balloting announced Sunday, and first baseman Albert Pujols and shortstop Edgar Renteria also will start the July 13 game. All three started last year's game, although Pujols played left field.
"It's really well-deserved," manager Tony La Russa said. "These three guys are complete players."
The last time a team had three of the four infield starters was 1982 when the Phillies were represented by third baseman Mike Schmidt, first baseman Pete Rose and second baseman Manny Trillo.
Rolen, elected as the starter for the third straight year, leads the major leagues with 78 RBIs and is among the league leaders with a .344 average. Pujols, the NL MVP runner-up the last two seasons, is batting .303 with 21 homers and 57 RBIs.
"What can you say about our corner guys?" center fielder Jim Edmonds said. "They're the best in baseball."
After a slow start, Renteria is batting .283 with four homers and 34 RBIs. He had a 10-game hitting streak stopped on Sunday and edged Adam Everett of the Astros by 214,000 votes.
"It's perfect for celebration: the Fourth of July and getting voted to the All-Star Game," Renteria said.
Rolen received 3,187,710 votes to lead all NL players. He's the fourth Cardinals player since 1970 to lead the NL balloting, following Ozzie Smith (1987-88, 1994), Mark McGwire (1998) and Pujols (2003).
"You're representing the National League and your city and the fans who put you there," Rolen said. "That's a big honor."
He's also the first third baseman to lead the NL in voting.
"I'm glad I'm not an outfielder," Rolen said. "I think that has a lot to do with it."
Rolen has been playing with a sore left knee, but intends to play.
"It's an honor and I'm going to run out there and play that game whether I get one at-bat, two at-bats or three at-bats," Rolen said. "If I need to cut it a little short, that's what's going to happen. But I'm fine."
Pujols made his third All-Star team in four seasons.
"There's a lot of first baseman having a great year and I got voted in," Pujols said. "So I'm pretty happy and real excited."
Renteria is starting for the second straight season and will be making his fourth appearance overall. Last year he became the first Colombian-born All-Star.
The Cardinals' rotation will not be represented. Chris Carpenter, making a comeback after missing last year due to shoulder surgery, has been the most impressive of the team's three eight-game winners.
"It would have been a great honor," La Russa said. "But at the same time, if he stays healthy he's going to pitch in his share of them."
Last year the Cardinals had five All-Stars: Pujols, Rolen, Renteria, Edmonds and pitcher Woody Williams.
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