Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer has taken the lead behind the plate in the latest American League balloting figures for the 79th All-Star Game, to be played on Tuesday, July 15th at Yankee Stadium.

Mauer, a 2006 A.L. All-Star, has collected a total of 1,178,630 votes, vaulting him slightly ahead of Boston Red Sox backstop Jason Varitek (1,133,855), a two-time A.L. All-Star who had led from the outset of this year’s balloting. The next tightest competition is at second base, where Boston’s Dustin Pedroia (1,286,962 votes) has maintained the top slot that he has held throughout the balloting process. Pedroia is trying to stave off surging Texas Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler (1,120,439) as both vie to earn their first All-Star Game invitations. 

New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter (1,988,251), an eight-time A.L. All-Star, has moved to the front of a crowded pack to become the American League’s leading vote-getter. Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (1,982,786) is right behind the New York captain. Jeter and Ortiz are followed by Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez (1,940,827), who was Major League Baseball’s overall leading vote-getter in last year’s balloting, and Red Sox outfielder Manny Ramirez, whose 1,917,207 votes make him a candidate for his 12th A.L. All-Star selection. 

Outfielder Josh Hamilton (1,791,623) of the Rangers trails only Ramirez among A.L. outfielders, making him well positioned to start in the Midsummer Classic in just his second Major League season. Seven-time A.L. All-Star Ichiro Suzuki (1,120,279) of the Seattle Mariners is currently in line to be a fan-elected starter for the sixth time in his Major League career, but Vladimir Guerrero (933,191) of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and Bobby Abreu (908,935) of the Yankees are among the A.L. outfielders who are still within reach. At first base, Kevin Youkilis (1,482,011) of the Red Sox hangs on to an edge over Justin Morneau (1,214,603) of the Twins. 

The 2008 American League and National League All-Star Teams will be revealed on Sunday, July 6th on the “MLB All-Star Game Selection Show presented by Chevy,” televised exclusively on TBS at 2:00 p.m. (EDT) with Ernie Johnson (host) and Hall of Famer Cal Ripken (analyst). Following the show, “Sunday MLB on TBS” will continue with a match-up between two N.L. Central rivals when the Chicago Cubs visit the St. Louis Cardinals at 3:00 p.m. (EDT). Chip Caray (play-by-play) and Buck Martinez (analyst) will call the action. 

The American League All-Star Team will have nine starters elected via the fan balloting program, while the National League All-Star Team will have eight fan-elected starters. The pitchers and reserves for both squads - 23 for the N.L., 22 for the A.L. - will be determined through a combination of “Player Ballot” choices and selections made by the two All-Star managers - American League skipper Terry Francona of the Boston Red Sox and National League manager Clint Hurdle of the Colorado Rockies - in conjunction with Major League Baseball. 

Immediately following the announcement of the American League and National League All-Star rosters, fans will have the opportunity to select the final player for each League’s 32-man roster at MLB.com. The Monster 2008 All-Star Final Vote will provide fans the opportunity to cast their votes from a list of five players from each League over a four-day period. For the fourth year, fans will be able to vote for their Final Vote selections on their mobile phone. Both winners of the Monster All-Star Final Vote will be announced after the voting has concluded on Thursday, July 10th. Finally, fans once again will have the opportunity to participate in the official voting for the 79th All-Star Game’s Ted Williams Most Valuable Player presented by Chevrolet via the Monster All-Star Game MVP Vote on MLB.com. 

The 79th Major League Baseball All-Star Game, being held at Yankee Stadium in its final season, will be televised nationally by FOX Sports, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and Sportsnet HD and televised around the world by Major League Baseball International, with pregame ceremonies beginning at 8:00 p.m. (EDT). ESPN Radio will provide exclusive national radio coverage that will also be available on XM Satellite Radio, while MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage.  -Courtesy MLB