July 6, 200322 yr Three figure to see stars Lowell, Pudge and Willis likely All-Star picks By KEVIN BAXTER PHILADELPHIA - Tonight's announcement of the National League All-Star team figures to bring good news for at least one Marlin -- and probably more. Third baseman Mike Lowell is expected to make the roster, and catcher Iv?n Rodr?guez and pitcher Dontrelle Willis are strong possibilities. But none of them have lost any sleep thinking about it. ''If it's going to happen, it's going to happen,'' said the 21-year-old Willis. ``You have no control over it. It's one of those things that you hope for, but you won't be disappointed if you don't [get it]. ``Just being mentioned to be an All-Star, that means you're doing something right.'' Willis (8-1, 2.13 ERA) will make his final start before the July 15 All-Star Game on Tuesday at Chicago. But if he makes the team and manager Dusty Baker asks the well-rested rookie to start for the NL team, the left-hander said he will decline. ''I don't deserve that honor,'' he said. ``There are other candidates that deserve to start that game.'' Neither Lowell nor Rodr?guez figure to start, either, since both ranked second in fan balloting -- which determines the starting lineup -- heading into the final week. But Lowell, who is tied for second in the league in home runs with 26, and Rodr?guez, who is batting .296 with 11 home runs and 49 RBI, are hard to overlook as reserves. ''Sure, I'd like to go,'' said Rodr?guez, a 10-time American League All-Star with the Texas Rangers. ``I just have to wait and see.'' Manager Jack McKeon said Alex Gonz?lez, who is batting .295 with 12 home runs and 53 RBI, also deserves consideration. But he doesn't expect the shortstop to make the team. ''I think he's worthy, but there's no way we're going to have four guys,'' he said. The teams will be announced at 7 p.m. on ESPN.
July 6, 200322 yr Author They seem to think Alex won't go and Pudge will, which might be smarter. You can take Pudge over LaRue, and maybe Boone over A-Gon... That never occured to me, and is a much better idea...
July 6, 200322 yr Author too bad we already know who is going We have no idea whose going... You have no idea if that was the real roster or not...
July 6, 200322 yr It probably is the real roster. Its not like it has not already been decided. Voting was over last week.
July 6, 200322 yr Author We'll find out at 7:00 tonight I guess... I just have a feeling that it's incorrect...
July 6, 200322 yr No way Pudge should go instead of Alex. If the NL has three shortstops, Alex deserves to be one of them.
July 6, 200322 yr paper i would have agreed with you 3 weeks ago, but now Pudge should go in 300 BA 50 RBI's and 11 jacks..... Thats all STAR material him Javy and La Duca or Leberitahal... larue, lmao ya right
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