Jeter leads at short, Ellsbury third in ASG voting
ST. LOUIS -- Derek Jeter has one last shot to be an American League All-Star, and he's right on track.
Jeter is the leading vote-getter at shortstop (602,525) in the first round of All-Star balloting announced on Tuesday, ahead of Chicago's Alexei Ramirez (472,537). The 20-year veteran, who will retire at season's end, has made 13 All-Star Game appearances during his career.
Although Jeter said on Tuesday that he hasn't thought that far ahead, he added that one final stop -- at Target Field this year -- would be an honor.
"All-Star Games are great; I mean, it's a fun experience," said Jeter who has the third-most votes in the AL, behind Mike Trout and Jose Bautista. "You never know when you're going to get a chance to go, but it's something I think every player would look forward to.
"I've appreciated every single one that I've gone to."
Jeter was hitting .273 with 10 RBIs entering Tuesday.
Catcher Brian McCann (373,169) is second behind the Orioles' Matt Wieters (540,258) in voting and Jacoby Ellsbury (417,452) is the last outfielder in, sitting in third, some 16,000 votes ahead of teammate Carlos Beltran.
Other players in the mix are first baseman Mark Teixeira (201,123), who is fifth, with the Tigers' Miguel Cabrera (440,407) leading the way; Alfonso Soriano (221,378), who is fourth among designated hitters; and Brett Gardner (197,577), who is 11th among outfielders.
Fans can cast their votes for starters at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- online or on a mobile device -- using the 2014 All-Star Game MLB.com Ballot Sponsored by Experian until Thursday, July 3, at 11:59 p.m. ET. The 2014 All-Star Game will be played at Target Field on Tuesday, July 15.
Fans may submit up to 25 online ballots, but they can also earn a one-time bonus of 10 additional online ballots. To access these additional online ballots, you must be logged into your MLB.com account when you submit any online ballot. If you do not have an MLB.com account, register on the site in accordance with the enrollment instructions for a free MLB.com account.
The 2014 All-Star teams will be unveiled on the 2014 MLB All-Star Game Selection Show during the weekend of July 5-6, with further details to follow on MLB.com. The AL will have nine elected starters via the fan balloting program, while the NL will have eight fan-elected starters. Pitchers and reserves for both squads -- totaling 25 for the NL and 24 for the AL -- will be determined through a combination of "Player Ballot" choices and selections made by All-Star managers Mike Matheny (NL) and John Farrell (AL).
Immediately following the announcement of the rosters, you can select the final player for each league's 34-man roster via the 2014 All-Star Game MLB.com Final Vote Sponsored by Experian. Choose again at that point from among five players in each league. The Final Vote returns for its 13th season with more than 430 million votes cast to date, and you'll be able to make selections on MLB.com, club sites and your mobile device.
You'll be on a voting tear at that point, having already selected starters and the last men, and the ritual will not end there. The final phase of All-Star Game voting will again have fans participating in the voting for the Ted Williams All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet. During the big game, vote exclusively online at MLB.com via the 2014 All-Star Game MLB.com MVP Vote Sponsored by Pepsi. The fan voice will represent 20 percent of the overall vote that determines the recipient of the Arch Ward Trophy.
MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage of the All-Star Week festivities.
The 85th All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX, 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 will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.