NewsDye, Konerko looking for All-Star push
Sox sluggers heating up as Midsummer Classic nears
By Scott Merkin / MLB.com
06/30/09 1:00 PM ET
CHICAGO -- Jermaine Dye and Paul Konerko are starting to heat up with the bats, which stands as bad news for the rest of the American League Central or any upcoming White Sox opponent.
The hot streak for these two middle-of-the-order run-producers also could become good news for their respective All-Star candidacies. But for Dye and/or Konerko to get voted into a chance to play in St. Louis at the Midsummer Classic on July 14, they are going to need a last-week rush from White Sox supporters.
As of the last round of voting, the second-to-last overall, Dye continues to sit outside the top 15 among AL outfielders, and the same holds true for Konerko's standing outside the top five at first base.
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 10:59 p.m. CT.
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.
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.
Over his last five games, Dye has 10 hits in 19 at-bats, with four doubles, two home runs and five RBIs. Dye, who has been bothered recently by left calf soreness, raised his average to .285 with a team-high 17 home runs and 44 RBIs.
Konerko hit in 10 straight, a streak ending in this past weekend's series opener against the Cubs. He also homered in three straight games during the six-game homestand and has reached base safely in 17 of his last 18 games. Konerko has a .292 average, with 12 home runs, and leads the White Sox with 46 RBIs.
That .292 mark would sit at the top among White Sox starters, if not for Scott Podsednik's amazing .319 average. Podsednik, who also deserves strong All-Star consideration, had four hits in Saturday's 8-7 victory over the Cubs at U.S. Cellular Field. He is hitting .346 with six doubles, one triple, three home runs, 17 RBIs and 20 runs scored in his last 31 games.
To get Podsednik to St. Louis, though, White Sox fans will have to write him in.
Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
