Mid-Summer Classic; Balloting At End!

2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game is getting nearer, have you voted?

Well, you are allowed to vote a maximum of 25 times. The problem is: the deadline is dead near, at 11:59 PM ET (eastern time, means about 10:59 AM the next day in most of Asia region) on Wednesday, July 2, 2008.

This is my first vote:

There are comprehensive summaries of the players' statistic, in case voters get a bit confused. Honestly, this is my first participation, and it takes time for me to get all the fields completed, but the summaries really have been a helpful partner for a first-timer like me. A friend of mine, who is responsible for introducing me to this sport, said he won't vote this year, since when he voted two years ago, his team didn't win, and the opposite happened the next year (you know which team is it, don't you?)


So far, the leaders in the American League are:
First Base: YOUKILIS, Kevin - Boston RED SOX (leading by 300,000 votes)
Second Base: PEDROIA, Dustin - Boston RED SOX (200,000 votes)
Shortstop: JETER, Derek - New York YANKEES (1,100,000 votes)
Third Base: RODRIGUEZ, Alex - New York YANKEES (1,200,000 votes)
Catcher: MAUER, Joe - Minnesota TWINS (150,000 votes)
Designated Hitter: ORTIZ, David - Boston RED SOX (900,000 votes)
Outfield: RAMIREZ, Manny - Boston RED SOX; HAMILTON, Josh - Texas RANGERS; SUZUKI, Ichiro - Seattle MARINERS (200,000 votes)

and in the National League:
First Base: BERKMAN, Lance - Houston ASTROS (700,000 votes)
Second Base: UTLEY, Chase - Philadelphia PHILLIES (1,500,000 votes)
Shortstop: RAMIREZ, Hanley - Florida MARLINS (200,000 votes)
Third Base: JONES, Chipper - Atlanta BRAVES (1,100,000 votes)
Catcher: SOTO, Geovany - Chicago CUBS (700,000 votes)
Outfield: SORIANO, Alfonso - Chicago CUBS; GRIFFEY, Ken, Jr. - Cincinnati REDS; FUKUDOME, Kosuke - Chicago CUBS (50,000 votes)



on the other hand...
*Yanks duo Jeter and A-Rod (AL) still have 2 days left to chase Philadelphia's Chase Utley (NL) from gaining the most favorite players in 2008 All-Star, the first Philly, if so, to lead all players in all leagues since fans were given back the vote in 1970.
**Last year leading vote-getter, Cincinnati outfielder Ken Griffey, Jr. (NL), will start his 13th All-Star, the most of any player not named Cal Ripken Jr. (17) and Rod Carew (15).
***Big Papi still receive many acknowledgement as a designated hitter despite still suffering from left wrist injury; his replacement-to-be, Hideki MATSUI, also in disable list in the Yankees team.
****The 79th All-Star Game will mark Yankees Stadium's final season in participating to MLB games.

TIME FOR GLORY, A REPEATED 1908 SEASON?

Cubs Repeated Best Season In Exactly A Century

It may not the end of the season, but time seems on their side, as CHICAGO CUBS claim Major League's best record, 38-22 (.633), their first feat since 1908. And if you don't remember -- no wonder if you don't --, the last time they achieved it was also the last time they won the World Series. After the first away game win at San Diego 7-6 behind a boost by Carlos "Big-Z" Zambrano, they extend their winning streak by 9 in a 9-6 win, before the Padres bounced back by a superb performance by ex-Cub Greg Maddux, only allowing 3 hits, all in the 4th inning that resulted the only point Cubs scored.

Other MLB team who has above .600 record is LOS ANGELES ANGELS, with the defending champ BOSTON RED SOX trailing Angels by 0.5 just a month before All-Star break.


--quoted from mlb.com:
The Cubs went undefeated on a homestand for the first time since April 14-26, 1970. Just about everything is clicking.

"I think we're playing baseball right now the way we're supposed to play," Cubs star ALFONSO SORIANO said. "We're playing baseball the right way."

His manager agreed.

"Well, the homestand couldn't have been better," Cubs skipper LOU PINIELLA said. "Everybody on the roster contributed on this homestand, which is really, really nice to see. ... These guys are playing hard, and it's a nice brand of baseball that they're playing."

Now, can they take the momentum on the road? Trips to San Diego and Los Angeles are on the docket. The Cubs have gone 10-13 away from Wrigley so far, but Soriano believes the team has meshed over the last week.

"We want to play better on the road," Soriano said. "Now, the team is together, so we know what we have to do. The team is playing like a team now. Sometimes [when] we have a rough road trip, we're just not comfortable. Now, I think everybody has pulled everything together. We're in good position."