Keep voting for Wright, who overtakes Panda
NEW YORK -- The Mets are doing everything in their power to make David Wright the National League's starting All-Star third baseman, and their efforts appear to be working.
Wright has overtaken San Francisco's Pablo Sandoval for the voting lead at his position in the latest update of balloting released Sunday. Trailing by more than 100,000 votes as recently as last week, Wright has since opened up a 128,831-vote lead.
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.
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.
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.
From Saturday, July 6, to Thursday, July 11, be sure to return to MLB.com and cast your 2013 All-Star Game Final Vote sponsored by freecreditscore.com for the final player for each league's All-Star roster.
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.
Ever since Wright fell behind Sandoval in the early voting tallies, the Mets have worked tirelessly to promote their captain, advertising his candidacy heavily at Citi Field. The efforts seem to be working, thanks in large part to Wright himself -- the third baseman bashed two home runs on Thursday in Atlanta, recording six hits over the final three games of the series.
But there are no guarantees. Wright led Sandoval in nearly all major statistical categories this time a year ago, also leading the All-Star voting wire-to-wire before a late balloting surge won Sandoval the start.
Wright remains the Mets' best chance to have an All-Star starter at Citi Field, with catcher John Buck and second baseman Daniel Murphy the only other hitters in the top five of voting at their positions. But pitcher Matt Harvey, who continues to impress, is certainly a candidate to start the game on the mound; fans do not vote for All-Star pitchers.