NEW YORK --- Albert Pujols will be in a familiar spot when St. Louis plays host to the 80th All-Star Game. Boston knuckleballer Tim Wakefield is headed for a brand new situation.
Pujols was the leading vote- getter in balloting for the Midsummer Classic announced Sunday by Major League Baseball, giving the Cardinals first baseman the start in his home ballpark.
The NL MVP is well on his way to another amazing year, leading the majors with 31 homers and 82 RBI. It's his eighth All-Star selection in nine seasons and fifth start.
Wakefield, a former Augusta Pirate, made his first All-Star roster in his 17th season, one of a major league-high six Red Sox headed to Busch Stadium for the July 14 game. The 42-year-old right-hander is tied for the big league lead with 10 wins.
The injury-riddled Mets led the NL with four selections. Center fielder Carlos Beltran and third baseman David Wright were both elected by the fans, but Beltran has been out with a bruised right knee and likely won't play. New York ace Johan Santana and closer Francisco Rodriguez also were selected.
The league that wins the All-Star Game will get home-field advantage in the World Series.
There is still one spot to be determined on each 33-man roster via Internet voting, which was increased by one from last year.
ALL-STAR GAME ROSTERS
July 14 at Busch Stadium, St. Louis
s-starter, elected by fans; m-managers pick; p-players' selection
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Pitchers: m-Andrew Bailey, Oakland; m-Mark Buerhle, Chicago White Sox; p-Josh Beckett, Boston; m-Brian Fuentes, L.A. Angels; p-Zack Greinke, Kansas City; p-Roy Halladay, Toronto; m-Felix Hernandez, Seattle; p-Edwin Jackson, Detroit; p-Joe Nathan, Minnesota; p-Jonathan Papelbon, Boston; p-Mariano Rivera, N.Y. Yankees; p-Justin Verlander, Detroit; m-Tim Wakefield, Boston.
Catchers: p-Victor Martinez, Cleveland; s-Joe Mauer, Minnesota.
Infielders: p-Jason Bartlett, Tampa Bay; p-Aaron Hill, Toronto; s-Derek Jeter, N.Y. Yankees; s-Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay; p-Justin Morneau, Minnesota; s-Dustin Pedroia, Boston; s-Mark Teixeira, N.Y. Yankees; m-Kevin Youkilis, Boston; p-Michael Young, Texas; m-Ben Zobrist, Tampa Bay.
Outfielders: s-Jason Bay, Boston; p-Carl Crawford, Tampa Bay; p-Curtis Granderson, Detroit; s-Josh Hamilton, Texas; p-Torii Hunter, LA Angels; m-Adam Jones, Baltimore; s-Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle.
Final man: (one selected by Internet voting) -- Adam Lind, Toronto; Ian Kinsler, Texas; Chone Figgins, L.A. Angels; Carlos Pena, Tampa Bay; Brandon Inge, Detroit.
To vote for the final man, go to www.mlb.com. Voting ends Thursday.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Pitchers: p-Heath Bell, San Diego; p-Chad Billingsley, L.A. Dodgers; p-Jonathan Broxton, L.A. Dodgers; p-Matt Cain, San Francisco; m-Francisco Cordero, Cincinnati; m-Ryan Franklin, St. Louis; m-Dan Haren, Arizona; p-Josh Johnson, Florida; m-Ted Lilly, Chicago Cubs; m-Jason Marquis, Colorado; p-Tim Lincecum, San Francisco; p-Francisco Rodriguez, N.Y. Mets; p-Johan Santana, N.Y. Mets.
Catchers: p-Brian McCann, Atlanta; s-Yadier Molina, St. Louis.
Infielders: m-Prince Fielder, Milwaukee; p-Adrian Gonzalez, San Diego; m-Ryan Howard, Philadelphia; p-Orlando Hudson, L.A. Dodgers; s-Albert Pujols, St. Louis; s-Hanley Ramirez, Florida; m-Freddy Sanchez, Pittsburgh; p-Miguel Tejada, Houston; s-Chase Utley, Philadelphia; s-David Wright, N.Y. Mets; p-Ryan Zimmerman, Washington.
Outfielders: s-Carlos Beltran, N.Y. Mets; s-Ryan Braun, Milwaukee; p-Brad Hawpe, Colorado; s-Raul Ibanez, Philadelphia; p-Hunter Pence, Houston; p-Justin Upton, Arizona.
Final man: (one selected by Internet voting) -- Mark Reynolds, Arizona; Matt Kemp, L.A. Dodgers; Shane Victorino, Philadelphia; Pablo Sandoval, San Francisco; Cristian Guzman, Washington.
