News
Gonzalez slugs way into All-Star contention
Fan vote reflects Friars first baseman's prodigious numbers
By Corey Brock / MLB.com
06/08/09 12:51 PM ET
SAN DIEGO - The fans have spoken -- Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, who leads the Major Leagues in home runs, has made a late push and worked his way into the top five at his position in the latest results of the National League All-Star ballot polling.Gonzalez ranks fourth among National League first baseman in the latest balloting results for the July 14 All-Star Game in St. Louis with 473,060 votes. Gonzalez trails first-place leader Albert Pujols (1,751,945), Ryan Howard (876,149) and Prince Fielder (697,456).
Gonzalez, an All-Star for the first time last season, has shown steady power this season, hitting nine home runs in April, 11 in May and two so far in June.
"Personally, I can't complain," Gonzalez said last week. "I'm feeling good at the plate. I can always do a better job of not chasing pitches out of the zone, but I can't take away from my aggressiveness, either."
Last week, Gonzalez and Philadelphia's Ryan Howard shared National League Player of the Week honors. Gonzalez homered in four consecutive games, putting him on pace to well exceed the career-best 36 home runs he hit last season.
"In the last year or so, he has emerged as one of the top offensive and defensive players in this league," San Diego general manager Kevin Towers said, noting Gonzalez has done so with a home park known to be tough on hitters. "He has shown he can win games with his bat and his glove."
Fans can cast their votes for starters up to 25 times with the 2009 All-Star Game Sprint Online Ballot at MLB.com and all 30 club sites until July 2 at 8:59 p.m. PT.
Starting rosters will be announced during the 2009 All-Star Game Selection Show presented by Chevrolet on TBS on July 5. Baseball fans around the world will then be able to select the final player on each team via the 2009 All-Star Game Sprint Final Vote at MLB.com.
The other Padres on the All-Star ballot are catcher Nick Hundley, shortstop Luis Rodriguez, second baseman David Eckstein, third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff and outfielders Chase Headley and Brian Giles.
And the voting doesn't end there. Fans will have the opportunity to participate in the official voting for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet at the Midsummer Classic via the 2009 All-Star Game Sprint MVP Vote at MLB.com.
The All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX and around the world by Major League Baseball International. ESPN Radio will provide exclusive national radio play-by-play, while MLB.com will offer extensive online coverage.
Corey Brock is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
