http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...tesox-headlines

 

Sox trio will motor to Motown

Konerko, Garland, Buehrle in, Podsednik looking for votes

By Mark Gonzales

Tribune staff reporter

 

OAKLAND -- The White Sox expressed an array of emotions after learning Sunday they will have at least three players on the American League All-Star team.

 

They were pleasantly surprised that first baseman Paul Konerko will join pitchers Jon Garland and Mark Buehrle.

 

The Sox could have a fourth representative, although speedy outfielder Scott Podsednik faces stiff competition for the 32nd spot in on-line voting against the New York Yankees' Derek Jeter and Hideki Matsui, Minnesota's Torii Hunter and Tampa Bay's Carl Crawford.

 

"I'll try to get the word out to my friends and family to get that tally up," joked Podsednik, who was delighted just to be considered for the July 12 game in Detroit.

 

The Sox, however, were disappointed that closer Dustin Hermanson and reliever Cliff Politte weren't selected.

 

Hermanson, who has a 1.44 earned-run average with 19 saves in 20 chances, and Politte (5-0, 1.10 ERA), were passed over for the likes of Cleveland's Bob Wickman (2.61, 22 saves) and Oakland's Justin Duchscherer (3-1, 1.48 ERA, 4 saves), each of whom was his team's only selection.

 

"I don't have to look any further than this room to know that there are guys who are more deserving of being an All-Star than me," said Konerko, who is batting .243 with 19 home runs and 53 RBIs. "By definition of having an All-Star first half, I'd put those guys ahead of me."

 

But there was some justice as Konerko was left off last year's AL team after batting .296 with 22 homers and 59 RBIs in the first half.

 

"As bad of luck as I had last year, I must have had as good of luck this year," Konerko said. "How many times are you scrambling to find first basemen to fill in?"

 

Konerko says his selection was tied to the Sox's distinction as the best team in baseball.

 

"I look at it as the team got me on, not me," said Konerko, who was selected on the players' ballot.

 

Garland, Buehrle and Konerko each will receive a $15,000 All-Star bonus.

 

Podsednik could receive a $25,000 bonus but needs a miracle in voting on MLB.com that concludes Wednesday at 7 p.m. He leads the majors with 40 stolen bases but realizes he doesn't get much recognition because he doesn't hit for power.

 

"I'm excited just to be considered in the voting [after] what I've been through," Podsednik said. "I spent nine long years in the minors to finally get an opportunity to get to this level to be considered."

 

Manager Ozzie Guillen was delighted that the Sox had a third player because Garland (13-3) and Buehrle (10-2) gained most of the credit for the Sox' success.

 

Garland and Buehrle are candidates to start for the AL, which would net one of them an additional $10,000.

 

"It really doesn't matter," said Buehrle, a 2002 AL All-Star. "It's an honor to go. I think (Toronto's) Roy Halladay has the best shot, then Garland. Right now, I'm probably third on the list to start."

 

Garland, who never won more than 12 games in a season and nearly was traded twice, downplayed his first All-Star selection.

 

"I think it means more to me because of how good the team is," Garland said. "For me to get chosen as well as we're doing, it's a big honor."

 

Hermanson wasn't upset over being left out.

"It would have been an honor, but I feel like I play with an All-Star team every day this year," Hermanson said. "That's all the gratitude I need right there.

 

"I get to go home (to Scottsdale, Ariz.), be in my own house, sleep in my own bed and be with my wife and little girl. This time is very important for guys to get some rest. It's an unbelievable break because the season is so long."

Edited July 4, 200520 yr by greasywheels121

Hermanson = quote of the year

 

He just passed Carl Everett's "gays being gay" quote.

QUOTE(bschmaranz @ Jul 4, 2005 -> 08:13 AM)

Hermanson = quote of the year

 

He just passed Carl Everett's "gays being gay" quote.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Too bad the media will ignore it...

I'm doing my best to get Pods in there. Yesterday I voted for an hour straight for Pods and Oswalt.

"I'm excited just to be considered in the voting [after] what I've been through," Podsednik said. "I spent nine long years in the minors to finally get an opportunity to get to this level to be considered."

It would be so awesome to get him in but I would bet a lot that Jeter wins.

It would be so awesome to get him in but I would bet a lot that Jeter wins.

 

The one thing the other 3 have going for them is that Jeter and Matsui could split the vote, and there are zero Red Sox on there.

The one thing the other 3 have going for them is that Jeter and Matsui could split the vote, and there are zero Red Sox on there.

True true but I'd be willing to bet Jeter gets more than 70% of Yankee fan vote, while Matsui gets all of Japan

Something tells me Hunter will win with his Defense and fans will remember the catch he made on Bonds in Milwaukee