Cano honing in on keystone start in All-Star Game
Second baseman holds sizable lead over Red Sox's Pedroia in latest update
Robinson Cano has had to stand tall as the centerpiece of a Yankees lineup ravaged by injuries this season, but he can plan on being surrounded by the best players in the American League as the All-Star Game approaches.
Cano has led AL second basemen at every checkpoint of fan balloting for the contest, to be held on July 16 at Citi Field. Cano has also been named captain of the AL Home Run Derby squad, hoping for a reprise of his 2011 championship performance.
3,974,322 votes have been cast for Cano, according to results released by Major League Baseball on Monday, keeping him firmly ahead of second-place challenger Dustin Pedroia (2,838,129) of the Red Sox and third-place Ian Kinsler of the Rangers (1,767,806).
Cano is the only Yankees player within the top five spots at his respective position at this balloting update.
Fans can cast their votes for starters at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- online or via a mobile device -- using the 2013 All-Star Game MLB.com Ballot until Thursday, July 4, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Fans may submit 25 online ballots during the voting period but can also earn a one-time bonus of 10 additional online ballots. To access these additional online ballots, fans must be logged into an MLB.com account when submitting any online ballot. To obtain an MLB.com account, visit www.mlb.com and register in accordance with the enrollment instructions for a free MLB.com account.
Though originally scheduled for July 7, the 2013 rosters will now be unveiled Saturday, July 6, at 6:30 p.m. ET on the 2013 MLB All-Star Game Selection Show presented by Taco Bell. The show will be televised nationally on FOX.
Fans can also once again participate in the Home Run Derby Fan Poll. Fans will have the opportunity to select three players in each league whom they would most like to see participate in the Home Run Derby. The 2013 Home Run Derby -- part of Gatorade All-Star Workout Day -- will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN HD, ESPN Deportes and ESPN Radio in the United States beginning at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, July 15.
And the voting doesn't end there. The final phase of All-Star Game voting will again have fans participating in the official voting for the Ted Williams All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet. During the Midsummer Classic, fans will vote exclusively online at MLB.com via the 2013 All-Star Game MLB.com MVP Vote, and their voice will represent 20 percent of the official vote determining the recipient of the Arch Ward Trophy.
The 2013 All-Star Game will be played at Citi Field on Tuesday, July 16. Come to MLB.com for extensive online coverage of the All-Star Week festivities.
The 84th All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 200 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network and SiriusXM also will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.
Also on the ballot for the Yankees, Derek Jeter has not played this season and will see his run of seven consecutive fan-elected starts come to an end, as J.J. Hardy of the Orioles leads at shortstop with 3,509,180 votes. Ichiro Suzuki ranks 15th among AL outfielders with 1,003,198 votes.