Navarro, Kazmir are All-Stars

The Rays will have at least two representatives at the All-Star Game.

C Dioner Navarro and LHP Scott Kazmir were both chosen for the American League team in the July 15 game at Yankee Stadium. Rookie 3B Evan Longoria could join them if elected in online voting for the 32nd spot on the roster.

It is the second time in franchise history, and the first since 1999, than more than one Ray was named, fitting since the Rays have the best record in the major leagues.

Navarro, a former Yankees prospect, ranks first in the AL with a 38.1 percent caught stealing percentage and a .998 fielding percentage, and his .318 average is second among AL regulars. He was named to the team by AL/Boston manager Terry Francona.

Kazmir, a former Mets prospect, is 7-3 with a 2.63 ERA since coming off the disabled list in early May, and will pitch Tuesday night against the Yankees in New York. This will be Kazmir's second trip, having represented the Rays in 2006. He was elected in the voting by players, coaches and managers, as he was in 2006.

Longoria is one of five players named to the ballot for the 32nd man, who is chosen by fans in online voting via mlb.com through 5 p.m. Thursday. Also on the ballot are White Sox OF Jermaine Dye, Yankees DH/1B Jason Giambi, Royals OF Jose Guillen, and Orioles 2B Brian Roberts.

Comments

[SoSorry]

"The Rays will have their day when they win the division and then get to the ALCS!"

Rays had 5 more home games than Boston pre-break, Sox have 5 more post-break. Ortiz and Buchholz coming back this week. Glad you had fun but it's over, Johnny.

[Danny]

In my opinion, the fans should have no say in who goes to the all star game. I dont think anyone pays attention to stats anymore. Its all about the name. Jeter should not even be in a major league uniform right now. Have you seen his stats? Our top prospects perform better than he has. I think I saw that he has over 200 errors in his career as a short stop. The voting should be done by the players and managers alone. Either that or select 1 or 2 players from each team and thats who you vote for.

[Danny]

They need to make some changes to how the players are voted in. Do you fans even bother to look at the stats when you vote? How in the hell is Jeter in the All Star game? The prospects we have in the minors can do a better job than he has so far this year! I read somewhere that he has over 200 errors in his career thus far. How does that make him an all star? The voting should be done by the players and managers themselves. Or select 1 or 2 players from each team and thats it. This is obsurd having something like 6 yanks and sox players in the lineup when neither are doing that well.

[Jason]

I would like to see the All Star voting guidelines changed. The fans are not smart enough to choose because we're biased. My suggestion is 33% Fan Voting, 33% Player Voting, 33% Manager Voting (All 30 managers). I like the fan vote for the final player and I like the fan vote being part of the selection process but it's rediculous to think the fans are able to reward the right players to be selected to start. Pedroia can't hold Kinsler's jock. Manny Ramirez isn't even the best OF on his team this year. Ichiro is starting because he makes it every year. Jeter is not the top SS any more. It's just unfair. Boston, NY, and Chicago dominated the fan vote becaue of population and fan interest in those cities. In the NL Fukodome and Soriano starting. Let's get real.

[jeff]

ROCKN' WITH KAZMIR
ROCKN' WITH WISKERS

[Mark]

I do kinda like the fact that all 8 boston players have to wear Yankee's colors for the batting practic jersey. Kinda bitter sweet.

[Anton]

Varitek was voted in by the players. Not the fans, and not his manager. At least get the facts straight before you rant.

[Lucy]

I've been voting for Longo since 7:30pm while watching the Sux and the Yucks play. (Why can't both lose?) I'm tired. :)

Let the "Hankees" and "Red Sux" have their little All Star game. It will be forgotten as soon as the game ends. The Rays will have their day when they win
the division and then get to the ALCS! GO RAYS!

[Nathan]

Props to Gammons and ESPN for pimping us nicely during the Yankees / Red Sox game.

Tempered by the fact that they showed Shields twice (once when talking up the actual James Shields, the other when talking up Matt Garza). Poor Matty, gets no love from ESPN.

[Nathan]

Stuff the ballot box for Longo. He's gotten a LOT if national press. He'll get votes from his fans and folks who just hate the Yankees and Red Sox.

The All Star selection remains a joke. It's a popularity contest. Unfortunately, with MLB (stupidly IMHO) making the All Star game "count" by rewarding the winner with home field advantage in the WS, the importance of the unimportant is magnified far beyond its significance.

I say dump the fan voting. Leave it to coaches and players. You'll get a more representative roster on each side and you'll be spared selections like Varitek. **I** deserve to be an All Star as much as the Red Sox' el capitan does.

[Dennis]

The times has posted a link to vote for Longoria(or whoever else was on the list, I only looked for his name). The all-star Catcher would be smart to decline the invite and let someone more deserving go, but I doubt that will occur. This is the problem with letting the fans vote, and when this game had no bearing on anything, it was fine since it was the game the fans voted for. Now they want every team represented, and it decides the home field for the world series, they have destroyed the game in many ways.

[Martin]

Remember, it's a all-star game. Not a team-player game. It's the very special game where members of the big market teams get to play for home field advantage at the world series, not a reward for contributing to a team effort.

[Justin]

Tom Haudicourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is reporting that a deal is in place to send C.C. Sabathia to the Brewers for Matt Laporta and two other minor leaguers. This would leave the Rays to focus on Fuentes and Bay/Nady.

Link: http://blogs.jsonline.com/brewers/archive/2008/07/06/brewers-indians-agree-on-sabathia.aspx

[Mark]

Varitek gets in with a .219 average? That is more than a joke. You would think the all star manager was his manager...... Nobody else is deserving. Will he wear a jersey with a C on it??

Just another reason to hate the Red Sox. This is pathetic.

[Steve]

How can Varitek with his .212 batting average make an All Star team? That's insane!!

[Razzlegator]

TwinsFan
It hurt us Wed. night when Bartlett hurt himself sliding into third. He has been a big difference for us. I can't believe what a head case CY is. Won't take hitting instructions from Carew or Oliva?
Can you spell immature?

[rayray]

keyed for Longo non-stop for 15 minutes, like I'm racing for the pennant in this very exciting chase that shaping up.

Go Hankees tonight :)

[josh]

Follow this link to the story, and there you can click to open the ballot

http://tampabay.rays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080706&content_id=3076313&vkey=news_tb&fext=.jsp&c_id=tb

If the SPT were heads up, there'd be a link and story front page on all the eEditions

[Brian]

Can the Times post a link to vote for Longoria. I have already voted for him several times.

[Kim]

I voted for 40 minutes straight... I do not know how many I got in...

[Brian]

Dear Twinsfan,
I agree with what you are saying, although if Garza sticks with his therapist he's going to be great, but it could be much worse. I will let 'Nationalsfan' write in to tell you about it.

[josh]

YES! Every single person that reads this blog needs to vote to put Longo in the all-star game!

C'mon, we're fighting the New York area for this....and they'r ethe world's worst ballot box stuffers!

[TwinsFan]

Red Sox have 8 players on the team and 1st place Rays have 2!!!!! Give me a break!

BTW, Nice move dumping Dullman Young on us. You can have Garza even though he could be a great pitcher because of his attitude but Jason Bartlett was our shortstop of the future.

I posted here one other time and it was the day after that trade and I told all of you that all I read in Tampa was Young for Garza. I told you then that Bartlett was the real steal and I will still not back off from my prediction that he will hit .300, steal 30 and make a few errors because he gets to balls that no one else can get to. Plus he was trained by the Twins system and no one is better at teaching fundamentals of baserunning, defense and using the whole field.

They also let david Ortiz go because he could not hit to all fields and wanted to pull the ball, so they are not perfect but they are the best at developing young, fast spray hitters like Bart!!!

I love the Twins but the Rays are my second team to watch and root for. Keep on beating up those big payroll teams and don't let them trade prospects for rent a player deals at the deadline!!! Do like the Twins and A's do year after year. Covet the young players! No pun intended on you dumping Young on us!!!

[Mo]

VOTE FOR EVAN LONGORIA!!!