Four Rays seeing stars

Tampa Bay fans have got used to only seeing one of their beloved players in the All-Star game.
Nine times in the first 10 years, the then-Devil Rays had only one player picked for the Midsummer Classic - and in those days it would have been hard to justify including any more.
But times have changed and this year there will be at least four Rays players representing the American League under manager Joe Maddon in the July 14 game in St. Louis. That three of those were chosen by either fans around the country or their peers makes it all the sweeter.
And third-baseman Evan Longoria will be the first Tampa Bay player to start an All-Star Game after winning the fan vote. Jason Bartlett and Carl Crawford made the team as reserves, voted in by their fellow players. And Ben Zobrist was one of Maddon's picks to fill out the roster.
In addition, Carlos Pena is one of five players vying for the final spot on the AL team in fan voting.
Longoria was an easy selection at third, with his impressive .925 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) and 63 RBIs making him an All-Star for the second time in as many big-league seasons.
"Obviously, with the caliber of third basemen that there are in the American League, to be the leading vote-getter is just a tremendous honor," he said.
Boston knuckleballer Tim Wakefield made his first All-Star roster in his 17th season, one of a major league-high six Red Sox headed to Busch Stadium for the big game. The 42-year-old right-hander is tied for the big league lead with 10 wins.
Cardinals firstbasman Albert Pujols was the leading vote-getter by a long way. The NL MVP is well on his way to another amazing year, leading the majors with 31 homers and 82 RBIs. He collected 5,397,374 votes to finish with the second-highest total in major league history, trailing only Ken Griffey Jr.'s six million votes in 1994.
The AL starting lineup: Teixeira at first, Pedroia at second, Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria, outfielders Bay, Josh Hamilton of Texas and Ichiro Suzuki of Seattle, and Minnesota catcher Joe Mauer.
Starting for the NL: Albert Pujols at first, Philadelphia second baseman Chase Utley, Florida shortstop Hanley Ramirez, Wright at third, Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina and Carlos Beltran, Milwaukee's Ryan Braun and Philadelphia's Raul Ibanez in the outfield. Ibanez has been sidelined by a groin injury and could sit out.
Should be a special occasion...

Don't just visit Anna Maria Island, stay here. For the very best in vacation rental properties visit www.annamaria.com and spend your vacation in a real home from home.