MVP catcher Mauer gets most All-Star votes

In the year of the pitcher, no-hit aces Ubaldo Jimenez and Roy Halladay lead a formidable National League All-Star staff. Rookie sensation Stephen Strasburg will have to wait at least another season.

American League MVP catcher Joe Mauer was announced yesterday by Major League Baseball as the fans' top choice for the July 13 All-Star Game in Anaheim, Calif. Albert Pujols earned the most votes in the National League.

In the closest voting, the Mets' David Wright overtook the Phillies' Placido Polanco in the final week to win the NL starting third base spot.

Each squad still has one more spot to fill in their 34-man rosters. Fans will make the decision, choosing from a list of five candidates in each league in an Internet runoff.

Strasburg's 100-mph fastball has captivated fans around baseball since the Washington Nationals called up the righthander June 8, but NL manager Charlie Manuel would like to see the 21-year-old settle into his role as an ace before making the Midsummer Classic.

"I looked there and I felt like, in my opinion, and I'm not his manager, but at the same time, he's a young kid," Manuel said. "I say let him pitch and let him get his feet on the ground in the major leagues and kind of let him earn his way."

Strasburg watched the selection show on a clubhouse TV but was called away by Nationals management after the first couple of pitchers were selected.

"I thought he had a pretty good shot," Nationals closer and All-Star pick Matt Capps said. "He's one of the top pitchers in baseball right now."

Halladay pitched a perfect game in his first season with the Phillies. Jimenez had one of the four no-hitters this year and is off to a remarkable 14-1 start with a 2.27 ERA for the Colorado Rockies.

Halladay's teammate, Chase Utley, was voted the starting second baseman for the NL, but he is out with an injured right thumb. He will be replaced in the lineup by Atlanta's Martin Prado. Colorado's injured shortstop, Troy Tulowitzki, was chosen as a reserve by his peers. His spot will be taken by the Mets' Jose Reyes.

The other starters who will try to help the NL win the All-Star Game for the first time since 1996 are Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina, Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez and outfielders Ryan Braun of the Brewers, Andre Ethier of the Dodgers and Jason Heyward of the Braves.

In the American League, Mauer is joined by Minnesota Twins teammate Justin Morneau, the first baseman.

The other AL starters: Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano and shortstop Derek Jeter, Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria, Texas designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero, and Texas' Josh Hamilton, Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki and Tampa Bay's Carl Crawford in the outfield.

The Yankees and Red Sox have a leading six All-Stars each, but Boston second baseman Dustin Pedroia and catcher Victor Martinez are out with injuries.