NewsTime running out to help Braun, Brewers
Fielder, Hardy need boost in All-Star voting, ending Thursday
By Adam McCalvy / MLB.com
06/29/09 1:00 PM ET
MILWAUKEE -- With only a few days of online voting remaining, Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun remained in position to start his second consecutive All-Star Game. A number of his teammates still needed help.
Braun was in second place among National League outfielders for the fourth straight week, trailing Philadelphia's Raul Ibanez and ranking just ahead of New York's Carlos Beltran. The top three vote-getters will form the starting outfield for the NL at Busch Stadium on July 14.
Only the top vote-getter at the five other defensive positions will start in the All-Star Game, and first baseman Prince Fielder and shortstop J.J. Hardy were within striking distance. They ranked third at their respective positions in the latest update. Injured Brewers leadoff hitter Rickie Weeks ranked fourth among NL second basemen, Jason Kendall was running fifth among catchers and Bill Hall was fifth among third baseman. In the outfield, Mike Cameron ranked ninth and Corey Hart was 11th. In-stadium voting has ended, but fans can still vote online for starters up to 25 times with the 2009 All-Star Game Sprint Online Ballot at MLB.com and all 30 club sites until Thursday at 10:59 p.m. CT. Starting rosters will be announced during the 2009 All-Star Game Selection Show presented by Pepsi 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.Adam McCalvy is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
