Rosters are set for the 77th annual MLB All-Star Game in Pittsburgh; home field advantage in World Series at stake.

By Brendan Smith
brendansmith@transworldnews.com

The addition of Chicago White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski and L.A. Dodger first baseman Nomar Garciaparra via fan ballot has set the rosters for the midsummer classic to be played July 11 at PNC Park, home of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Pierzynski heads into the all star game after receiving more fan votes than fellow American Leaguer Francisco Liriano of the Minnesota Twins. Despite a 9-1 record and a 1.99 ERA the rookie left hander for the Twins was left off an American League side that includes his battery mate Joe Mauer and fellow southpaw Johan Santana. Pierzynski, hitting .326 with 5 HR’s and 28 RBI’s, will be joining six of his White Sox teammates on a side led by manager Ozzie Guillen.

For Nomar Garciaparra, his sixth all star appearance will be his first in a National League uniform. Recurring injuries had left many people doubting whether the former Boston Red Sox would ever return to the form that landed him five all star appearances from 1997-2003. The Dodger first baseman seems to have found new life on the west coast where he leads the National League with a .358 batting average and his 10 HR’s and 50 RBI’s lead his club. Garciaparra could share the field with teammate Brad Penny, the right handed pitcher for the Dodger’s will be making his first all star appearance after compiling a 10-2 record with a 2.92 ERA.

If the game were based on all star experience the American League would seemingly handle their greener counterparts. Ivan Rodriguez of the Detroit Tigers will be making his 13th appearance while fellow starters Manny Ramirez of the Boston Red Sox and Alex Rodriguez of the N.Y. Yankees enter their 10th classic. LA Angels right fielder Vladimir Guerrero and Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter have both been voted to start in their 7th all star appearance. Fan favorite Ichiro Suzuki makes his 6th trip representing the Seattle Mariners. Rounding out the A.L. starting lineup are a pair of Red Sox, second baseman Mark Loretta and first baseman David Ortiz, playing in their second and third all star game respectively.

The National League, headed up by Phil Garner of the Houston Astros, features a starting lineup that finds three players entering their first all star game. The New York Mets are responsible for two of these players, David Wright and Jose Reyes. The Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Chase Utley completes the trio of new born stars. The National League may be looking to their more experienced starters, first baseman Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals and Washington National Alfonso Soriano both make their 5th appearance, Soriano will be making his first appearance as a National Leaguer. The New York Mets provide an additional two pieces to the starting lineup with centerfielder Carlos Beltran and catcher Paul Lo Duca. They will be making their third and fourth appearance respectively. Hometown hero Jason Bay of the Pittsburgh Pirates was voted in as a starter in right field and will be making his second appearance.

Among American League pitchers, five will be making their all star debut, Jose Contreras and Bobby Jenks from the White Sox, Scott Kazmir of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Mark Redman of the Kansas City Royals, and Jonathan Papelbon of the Red Sox . Filling out the pitching roster will be B.J. Ryan of the Toronto Blue Jays and Johan Santana of the Twins both making their 2nd appearance, Mark Buehrle of the White Sox and Barry Zito of the Oakland A’s making their 3rd trip, Roy Halladay of the Blue Jays and Kenny Rodgers of the Tigers enter their 4th contest, while Yankee closer Mariano Rivera will be playing in his 8th game.

The National League has four pitches finding their way into their first all star game. Cincinnati Red Bronson Arroyo, Milwaukee Brewer Derrick Turnbow, Arizona Diamondback Brandon Webb and Dodger Brad Penny each earned their first nod. Carlos Zambrano of the Chicago Cubs, Brian Fuentes of the Colorado Rockies, Roy Oswalt, and Chris Carpenter of the Cardinals will be making their 2nd appearance. Jason Schmidt of the San Francisco Giants and Tom Gordon of the Phillies travel to their 3rd game, Trevor Hoffman of the San Diego Padres sees his 5th and the Mets Tom Glavine will lead the staff with his 10th appearance.

Completing the rosters for the two sides will be:

AL reserves- C Joe Mauer Minnesota Twins 1st, C A.J. Pierzynski Chicago White Sox 2nd, 1B Paul Konerko Chicago White Sox 3rd, 1B Jim Thome Chicago White Sox 5th,
2B Jose Lopez Seattle Mariners 1st, SS Michael Young Texas Rangers 3rd, SS Miguel Tejada Baltimore Orioles 4th,  3B Troy Glaus Toronto Blue Jays 4th,  OF Jermaine Dye Chicago White Sox 2nd, OF Gary Matthews Jr. Texas Rangers 1st,  OF Grady Sizemore Cleveland Indians 1st, OF Vernon Wells Toronto Blue Jays 2nd.

NL reserves- C Brian McCann Atlanta Braves 1st, 1B Lance Berkman Houston Astros 4th,
1B Nomar Garciaparra Los Angeles Dodgers 6th, 1B Ryan Howard Philadelphia Phillies1st, 2B Dan Uggla Florida Marlins1st, SS Edgar Renteria Atlanta Braves 5th,
3B Miguel Cabrera Florida Marlins 3rd, 3B Freddy Sanchez Pittsburgh Pirates 1st,
3B Scott Rolen St. Louis Cardinals 5th, OF Andruw Jones Atlanta Braves 5th,
OF Matt Holliday Colorado Rockies 1st, OF Carlos Lee Milwaukee Brewers 2nd.

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