The Canadian element of the MLB All-Star Game isn't usually a prominent storyline to the festivities these days. But the Canadian portion does deserve some attention.
The Toronto Blue Jays, Canada's team by default, will have three representatives on the American League squad, all reserves: catcher John Buck and outfielders Jose Bautista and Vernon Wells.
Minnesota first baseman Justin Morneau will start his first MLB All-Star Game by winning the popular vote. Morneau is from the Vancouver area in British Columbia.
Longtime Expo Vladimir Guerrero of Texas was voted in as the starting designated hitter for the American League.
In the National League, former Toronto teammates were added to the pitching staff in Chris Carpenter (St. Louis) and Roy Halladay (Philadelphia). Former Blue Jay third baseman Scott Rolen made the squad as a reserve (Cincinnati).
If you care, the lone Washington National representative is pitcher Matt Capps, who spent his whole career until this year in Pittsburgh.
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But you can add one more Canadian to the list: Cincinnati first baseman Joey Votto. Among first basemen in the National League, Votto has the stats: 19 homers, 57 RBIs, a .313 average, 53 runs, and only two errors.
Votto is from the Toronto area, and has never been to the All-Star Game. Votto has better stats than either of the backup first basemen on the roster (Ryan Howard — PHI, Adrian Gonzalez — SD).
You can vote in Votto to be the last representative for the National League. Go to this link and vote for Joey Votto. You can vote as many times as you would like. Voting ends at 4 pm Eastern on Thursday.
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There have only been two All-Star Games ever played outside the United States. The American League won the 1991 All-Star Game 4-2 in Skydome in Toronto. Ironically, the winning pitcher (Jimmy Key-Toronto) and the losing pitcher (Dennis Martinez-Montréal) were from the Canadian teams.
The National League won the 1982 All-Star Game 4-1 at Olympic Stadium in Montréal. Four Expos made the starting lineup: Tim Raines (LF), Andre Dawson (CF), Gary Carter (C), and Steve Rogers (P).
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The 2010 All-Star Game will be broadcast in the United States by FOX; Rogers Sportsnet and RDS in Canada.
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