After leading the Majors with Kendry Morales Jersey six home runs in an eight-game span last week, Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez was named the National League Player of the Week, the league announced on Tuesday.
Ramirez hit .393 (11-for-28) with the six homers, 10 RBIs and a 1.071 slugging percentage over the eight games, and the 33-year-old was also tied for first in the NL with nine runs scored.
He began the week with his 24th Angels of Anaheim Kendry Morales Jersey career multi-homer game on June 27 against the Rockies as part of a 3-for-4 outing. On Thursday, his game-tying home run in the bottom of the ninth against the Giants helped the Cubs to an eventual 5-2 extra-inning victory in the rubber match of the three-game set against the defending World Champions.
He also had a walk-off pinch-hit single in the ninth inning Wednesday and smacked his 300th career home run on Friday.
The right-hander is batting .295 this season with 12 home runs and is tied for the club lead with 44 RBIs. The Cubs are back in action Tuesday night against the Nationals.
It is Ramirez's fourth career Brewers Ryan Braun Jersey weekly award, the most recent coming in July 2010. He was also honored in May 2001 and July 2005.
Victorino was out Monday and Tuesday with a swollen thumb, but he held onto his lead in the National League in a bid to become the first two-time Final Vote winner. Trailing him were Dodgers right fielder Andre Ethier, Rockies first baseman Todd Helton, Nationals left fielder Michael Torii Hunter Jersey Morse and D-backs pitcher Ian Kennedy.
One player from each league will be added as a 34th man to round out the rosters.
Balloting commenced at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, following the announcement of 66 All-Star starters and reserves, and it continues until 4 p.m. ET on Thursday exclusively at MLB.com, where the winners will be announced shortly thereafter. There is no limit on the number of times you can vote, and updated standings will be announced daily.
For those voting by mobile device: U.S. residents can send "VOTE" to 89269 to receive the 2011 All-Star Game Sprint Final Vote ballot, and in Brewers Zack Greinke Jersey Canada, text "VOTE" to 65246.
The Nationals and Orioles joined forces on the "Beltway Ballot," rallying together for Morse and Jones, while the 1998 expansion brethren D-backs and Authentic Ryan Braun Jersey Rays are jointly behind their respective players, Kennedy and Zobrist.
The 2009 "Bran Torino" alliance worked so well for Brandon Inge and Victorino, the Tigers and Phillies are renewing their commitment with "Victor Victorino." The Dodgers and White Sox are Spring Training neighbors in Glendale, Ariz., so they are co-promoting Ethier and Angels of Anaheim Jered Weaver Jersey Konerko.
And the Rockies and and Royals have joined in alliance for Todd Helton and Alex Gordon: "Vote Rox & Royals."
Fans are doing their own grassroots work at MLB.com with the All-Star Campaign Manager program. It allows fans to tally points by getting friends, family and co-workers to vote through social networking, and competing to be recognized as an "official" Final Vote Campaign Manager for any player they helped support.
Here is a campaign update:
National League
Andre Ethier, RF, Dodgers: If you vote for Ethier, you can win Angels of Anaheim Torii Hunter Jersey two tickets to a Dodgers home game this season, an autographed Ethier jersey or baseball, and a meet-and-greet with Ethier for you and a guest. You also will be eligible to receive a 70-percent-off discount offer for tickets in locations valued up to $50 to either the July 27 or July 30 games Authentic Zack Greinke Jersey at Dodger Stadium.
Ethier, hitting .317 entering Tuesday and having a 30-game hitting streak in his 2011 credentials, said in a video message to fans: "Punch your fingers away. There's East Coast bias out there, so this is a chance for us West Coasters to overcome it. If we need added incentive, there it is, to put a Dodger in the All-Star Game."
Dodgers season-ticket holder Alyssa Milano obliged, typing the #VoteAndre hashtag for her "favorite" Dodger and tweeting: "Help send Ethier to his hometown for the All-Star Game by texting N1 to 89269!"
Ethier was the Authentic Torii Hunter Jersey talk of baseball during his April-into-May hitting streak. Fans voted him to the starting lineup last year in Anaheim, and he ranked among the outfield leaders early in the balloting this year. Ethier ranked seventh in the NL with Ryan Braun Jersey a .317 average entering Tuesday.
Now that Konerko has the early lead, will the Dodgers-White Sox alliance help Ethier? The last time the Dodgers had a big-name former All-Star on the Final Vote ballot, they won big with Nomar Garciaparra in 2006. The Dodgers are home all week against the Mets and Padres so expect a heavy campaign theme in Chavez Ravine until the ballot closes.
Todd Helton, 1B, Rockies: The Rockies sweetened the pot, offering Helton voters a chance to win four Midfield Box Premium or Value Game tickets to a 2011 regular-season game at Coors Authentic Kendry Morales Jersey Field. In addition, eligible voters also will receive a 50-percent discount offer for tickets in select seating categories
"He's having an unbelievable year. His numbers speak for themselves," Troy Tulowitzki says of his teammate, hoping they might be a 6-3 combo at some point during the night of July 12. "So the fans really need to Jered Weaver Jersey get behind him, and hopefully he'll come through."
Helton is batting .319 (career .324), and recently played in his 2,000th career game. Will he return to the All-Star Game, where he was a fixture in those 1.000-plus OPS days of 2000-04?
Ian Kennedy, RHP, D-backs: No Final Vote winner ever has come from a team hosting an All-Star Game. Kennedy could be the first. The right-hander has been a workhorse for the D-backs, fashioning an 8-2 record with a 3.01 ERA over 116 2/3 innings. Most impressive, he is on pace for a 200-strikeout season, ranking in the NL's top 10.
In addition to partnering with the Rays in the Authentic Jered Weaver Jersey alliance, the D-backs have made a big push in traditional and social media with the #VoteIanIn hashtag on Twitter and more. He appeared on ESPN's "First Take" Tuesday morning, and teammates have rallied support for him. CEO Derrick Hall said he has received "emails and calls from fans saying they have been working hard to get Ian support. It's really heartening to see how involved our fans are and how strongly they feel about this."
"It's exciting to be part of the All-Star Game Final Vote campaign and still have an opportunity to make the National League All-Star team," Kennedy said. "I appreciate the support D-backs fans have given me all season, and hopefully it will carry over into this campaign. I would be honored to make the team, especially to have the chance to pitch in front of our fans at Chase Field."
Michael Morse, LF, Nationals: Morse is batting .299 with 15 homers and 46 RBIs, and voting for him has perks. If you vote for Morse and choose the Nationals Zack Greinke Jersey as your favorite or other favorite team, you receive a 50-percent-off discount for two tickets to a select Nationals home game this regular season. Not only that, but you are entered into a sweepstakes to win one of his game-used jerseys.
Morse, who had Monday off, called his friend Ichiro Suzuki and asked him to help get out the Japan vote, in an effort to join teammate Tyler Clippard on the NL roster. "Right now, I'll do whatever it takes," Morse said. "I'm kind of excited. It's kind of fun. It's going to be tough, with the big markets out there. It's an opportunity. I hope to represent Brewers Rickie Weeks Jersey the Nationals and join Clip."
Shane Victorino, CF, Phillies: Fans who vote for Victorino at least 100 times at phillies.com/votevictorino are eligible to be entered into a random drawing to win a meet-and-greet with Victorino at Citizens Bank Park, two tickets to an upcoming game, parking and a signed Victorino jersey.
Not only is Victorino away from Citizens Bank Park and unable to press the flesh along with a mayor this time, but due to a fall on Sunday he is out temporarily with a swollen thumb and is expected to rejoin the Phillies on Wednesday after coming home Tuesday to see a hand specialist. The "re-election campaign" goes on for a player who has been a reliable and steady force behind the Phillies' Major League-best record.
"I'm excited to be recognized again," Victorino said. "If you had asked me a month ago when I was on the DL [with a strained right hamstring] if I'd be in this position, I'd say no, missing three weeks. Obviously being back now, I'm excited. I'm excited, and I'm sure Philly fans will do what they did last time. It's happened once. Why can't it happen again?"
A.J. Pierzynski had a full night of action while playing just one-half inning during Monday's 5-4 victory over the Royals at U.S. Cellular Field.
With the game deadlocked in the bottom of the ninth, Pierzynski pinch-hit for Ramon Castro and golfed a single to center off Royals All-Star Aaron Brewers Corey Hart Jersey Crow (2-2) to open the frame. Pierzynski stood on third two outs later, with new fan favorite Adam Dunn at the plate, when Crow balked home the game-winning run on a 1-0 count.
It was Pierzynski who immediately brought attention to Crow, with vocal assistance from Dunn, Authentic Prince Fielder Jersey after the reliever started out of the stretch, stopped and then tried to hide the miscue by stepping off the mound. Home-plate umpire Ed Rapuano made the official call, starting the Rickie Weeks Jersey White Sox postgame fireworks.
Leave it to Pierzynski Cardinals Kendry Morales Jersey to then coin a phrase describing the unique way that the White Sox (43-43) returned to .500.
"Balk-off," said a smiling Pierzynski as he departed the White Sox clubhouse.
OK, Pierzynski probably isn't the first one to come up with such obvious cleverness. One-time White Sox hurler and current Mets righty D.J. Carrasco balked home the deciding run in the 10th inning of a game against the Braves on June 16 of Brewers Casey McGehee Jersey this season.
But the White Sox were giddy for more reasons than Prince Fielder Jersey simply staying 3 1/2 games behind the Indians, who pulled off Authentic Kendry Morales Jersey a comeback win at home against the Yankees, or improving to 7-11 against the American League Central. The White Sox rallied from a 3-0 deficit against the Royals (34-51), Authentic Corey Hart Jersey taking the lead on Dunn's two-run homer in the eighth off Crow.
Dunn actually had a banner night on the Fourth of July, maybe his most significant showing since a four-hit effort on May 11 in Anaheim or going back as far as Opening Day in Cleveland. After striking out in the first against left-hander Jeff Francis, Dunn singled to right and later scored leading off the fourth, Corey Hart Jersey marking his second hit in Authentic Torii Hunter Jersey 55 at-bats against southpaws.
AL All-Star Final Vote Day 1 leader Paul Konerko followed Dunn with a single, one of his two hits on the night.
As Dunn settled in at first base, the crowd of 31,077 gave him a mock standing ovation. Dunn has handled this disastrous season better than anyone could imagine, and he responded by tipping his helmet.
His soaring blast with Brent Morel on base, which barely cleared the right-field fence, earned Dunn a genuine curtain call. Dunn said he found something Torii Hunter Jersey to feel good about in his second at-bat Sunday at Wrigley Field. On Monday, he found something to make him feel great.
"I've played in Chicago before and I've been here for a little while," said White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen of Dunn, who homered for the first time since June 12 and raised his average to .171. "You need one big hit to put the crowd back in your pocket."
"That part, that's part of it," Dunn said. "I promise you it's a way better feeling that way than the other way. I appreciate them, especially tonight, sticking with it. The Kendry Morales Jersey thing about the fans, they boo and stuff because they want to see the team and you personally do so well. That's how I've been looking at it."
Mark Buehrle and Francis both turned in quality starts, with Buehrle allowing three runs on seven hits over seven innings, but neither one factored in the decision. Crow blew the save for Francis, and then the first pitch from Sergio Santos (3-3) in the top of the ninth was hit out by Eric Hosmer, who once played high school baseball against Guillen's youngest son, Ozney.
This play was originally ruled a triple, but the umpires went to instant replay and made the correct call by changing it to Hosmer's seventh long ball. Santos put two more runners on, but he escaped when Mitch Maier's long fly ball was caught by right fielder Carlos Quentin two steps from the field fence.
The balk-off stage was then set, although the Royals weren't quite as sure as the White Sox about the call's accuracy.
"Maybe he turned his shoulder a little bit. I don't know," said Royals manager Ned Yost. "I don't know how Authentic Rickie Weeks Jersey you can step off and turn your shoulder. But he was standing here and then just kind of turned his shoulder, turned his head and stepped off. That's what a balk is -- deceiving a runner. You're telling me he was Brewers Prince Fielder Jersey deceiving a runner? He was stepping off. That's what he was doing."
"You better be sure if someone balks when you call a game on that," said Royals right fielder Jeff Francoeur, who homered in the first off Buehrle and expressed his admiration for Rapuano before talking about the balk. "It's a shame, because you've got an All-Star reliever up there, you've got Adam Dunn Cardinals Torii Hunter Jersey in the box, the crowd was going crazy. It's Authentic Casey McGehee Jersey a great atmosphere, and you're going to call a balk to end the game? I just don't see it."
Crow thought he stepped back off the mound, but Casey McGehee Jersey he couldn't hear Rapuano's exact explanation. Yost was told Crow turned his shoulder before stepping off.
Whatever the explanation, the White Sox happily will take this odd win and hope it's a start of good fortune to come within the division.
"An interesting way to win," said Pierzynski, whose team is 5-1 in its last six games. "It's just as good as a walk-off hit or a home run."
"Kind of the White Sox way, walk-off balk," said Buehrle, who notched his 12th quality start. "We've had a couple wild pitches we've won on or tied the game. Hey, we've got to take it any way we can."
With the game deadlocked in the bottom of the ninth, Pierzynski pinch-hit for Ramon Castro and golfed a single to center off Royals All-Star Aaron Brewers Corey Hart Jersey Crow (2-2) to open the frame. Pierzynski stood on third two outs later, with new fan favorite Adam Dunn at the plate, when Crow balked home the game-winning run on a 1-0 count.
It was Pierzynski who immediately brought attention to Crow, with vocal assistance from Dunn, Authentic Prince Fielder Jersey after the reliever started out of the stretch, stopped and then tried to hide the miscue by stepping off the mound. Home-plate umpire Ed Rapuano made the official call, starting the Rickie Weeks Jersey White Sox postgame fireworks.
Leave it to Pierzynski Cardinals Kendry Morales Jersey to then coin a phrase describing the unique way that the White Sox (43-43) returned to .500.
"Balk-off," said a smiling Pierzynski as he departed the White Sox clubhouse.
OK, Pierzynski probably isn't the first one to come up with such obvious cleverness. One-time White Sox hurler and current Mets righty D.J. Carrasco balked home the deciding run in the 10th inning of a game against the Braves on June 16 of Brewers Casey McGehee Jersey this season.
But the White Sox were giddy for more reasons than Prince Fielder Jersey simply staying 3 1/2 games behind the Indians, who pulled off Authentic Kendry Morales Jersey a comeback win at home against the Yankees, or improving to 7-11 against the American League Central. The White Sox rallied from a 3-0 deficit against the Royals (34-51), Authentic Corey Hart Jersey taking the lead on Dunn's two-run homer in the eighth off Crow.
Dunn actually had a banner night on the Fourth of July, maybe his most significant showing since a four-hit effort on May 11 in Anaheim or going back as far as Opening Day in Cleveland. After striking out in the first against left-hander Jeff Francis, Dunn singled to right and later scored leading off the fourth, Corey Hart Jersey marking his second hit in Authentic Torii Hunter Jersey 55 at-bats against southpaws.
AL All-Star Final Vote Day 1 leader Paul Konerko followed Dunn with a single, one of his two hits on the night.
As Dunn settled in at first base, the crowd of 31,077 gave him a mock standing ovation. Dunn has handled this disastrous season better than anyone could imagine, and he responded by tipping his helmet.
His soaring blast with Brent Morel on base, which barely cleared the right-field fence, earned Dunn a genuine curtain call. Dunn said he found something Torii Hunter Jersey to feel good about in his second at-bat Sunday at Wrigley Field. On Monday, he found something to make him feel great.
"I've played in Chicago before and I've been here for a little while," said White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen of Dunn, who homered for the first time since June 12 and raised his average to .171. "You need one big hit to put the crowd back in your pocket."
"That part, that's part of it," Dunn said. "I promise you it's a way better feeling that way than the other way. I appreciate them, especially tonight, sticking with it. The Kendry Morales Jersey thing about the fans, they boo and stuff because they want to see the team and you personally do so well. That's how I've been looking at it."
Mark Buehrle and Francis both turned in quality starts, with Buehrle allowing three runs on seven hits over seven innings, but neither one factored in the decision. Crow blew the save for Francis, and then the first pitch from Sergio Santos (3-3) in the top of the ninth was hit out by Eric Hosmer, who once played high school baseball against Guillen's youngest son, Ozney.
This play was originally ruled a triple, but the umpires went to instant replay and made the correct call by changing it to Hosmer's seventh long ball. Santos put two more runners on, but he escaped when Mitch Maier's long fly ball was caught by right fielder Carlos Quentin two steps from the field fence.
The balk-off stage was then set, although the Royals weren't quite as sure as the White Sox about the call's accuracy.
"Maybe he turned his shoulder a little bit. I don't know," said Royals manager Ned Yost. "I don't know how Authentic Rickie Weeks Jersey you can step off and turn your shoulder. But he was standing here and then just kind of turned his shoulder, turned his head and stepped off. That's what a balk is -- deceiving a runner. You're telling me he was Brewers Prince Fielder Jersey deceiving a runner? He was stepping off. That's what he was doing."
"You better be sure if someone balks when you call a game on that," said Royals right fielder Jeff Francoeur, who homered in the first off Buehrle and expressed his admiration for Rapuano before talking about the balk. "It's a shame, because you've got an All-Star reliever up there, you've got Adam Dunn Cardinals Torii Hunter Jersey in the box, the crowd was going crazy. It's Authentic Casey McGehee Jersey a great atmosphere, and you're going to call a balk to end the game? I just don't see it."
Crow thought he stepped back off the mound, but Casey McGehee Jersey he couldn't hear Rapuano's exact explanation. Yost was told Crow turned his shoulder before stepping off.
Whatever the explanation, the White Sox happily will take this odd win and hope it's a start of good fortune to come within the division.
"An interesting way to win," said Pierzynski, whose team is 5-1 in its last six games. "It's just as good as a walk-off hit or a home run."
"Kind of the White Sox way, walk-off balk," said Buehrle, who notched his 12th quality start. "We've had a couple wild pitches we've won on or tied the game. Hey, we've got to take it any way we can."
It's safe to say Michael Morse is the Nationals' best hitter. The right-handed-hitting Morse is batting .299 with 15 home runs and 46 RBIs, leading the Nationals in all three categories.
That explains why Morse was selected as a candidate in the All-Star Game Final Vote Sponsored by Sprint. After 48 hours, he ranks fourth in the voting. Morse is competing against Authentic Rafael Furcal Jersey Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier, Rockies first baseman Todd Helton, D-backs right-hander Ian Kennedy and Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino for the final spot Anaheim James Loney Jersey on the National League roster. Victorino currently has the lead.
Morse, who has missed the past three games because of a sore left elbow after being hit by a pitch on Saturday against the Pirates, is expected to be back in the lineup on Wednesday night against the Cubs.
Morse, who was able to take batting and fielding practice without any problems before Tuesday's game, came in as a pinch-hitter in the bottom of the sixth and grounded out to second base.
"First, I like hitting with men on base," Morse said. "I feel I Albert Pujols Jersey can contribute a lot to this team. It's being comfortable. I'm getting an opportunity to play."
Now in its 10th year, the 2011 All-Star Game Final Anaheim Casey Blake Jersey Vote Sponsored by Sprint gives baseball fans Authentic James Loney Jersey around the world the opportunity to select the final player on each All-Star team. Balloting began immediately following Sunday's Major League All-Star Selection Show presented by Taco Bell and continues until 4 p.m. ET on Thursday. The winners will be announced on MLB.com shortly thereafter.
Mobile voting in the U.S. and Canada is open to everyone. In the U.S., to receive the 2011 All-Star Game Final Vote Sponsored by Sprint mobile ballot, text the word "VOTE" to 89269. To vote Authentic Clayton Kershaw Jersey for a specific player, simply text message your choice to 89269 (Example: Text "N4" to vote for Morse). In Canada, fans should text their choices to 65246. Standard message and data rates may apply.
The fun doesn't end there, however. Fans, having already decided the Authentic Albert Pujols Jersey starters and final player on each team, once again will have the opportunity to participate in the official voting for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player presented by Chevy via the 2011 All-Star Game MVP Vote Sponsored by Sprint on MLB.com during the All-Star Game.
The 82nd Major League Baseball All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and Sportsnet HD and Le Reseau des Sports and around the world by Major League Baseball International, with pregame ceremonies beginning at 8 p.m. ET. ESPN Radio will provide exclusive national radio coverage. MLB Network, MLB.com and Sirius XM also will Anaheim Rafael Furcal Jersey provide comprehensive All-Star Game coverage.
There will be an extra treat for fans who participate in the Final Vote. If you are not a current MLB.TV subscriber (MLB.TV or MLB.TV Premium), you are eligible to receive a 10-day free trial of MLB.TV from July 9-19. If you are a current MLB.TV subscriber (MLB.TV or MLB.TV Premium), you will receive Clayton Kershaw Jersey a 15 percent discount to the MLB.com Shop. MLB.com will send an email on Friday to all Final Vote voters with instructions on how to redeem the applicable offer.
There was a time this season when Morse wasn't getting a chance to play. He was the Opening Day left fielder, but after a slow start and some health issues, then manager Jim Riggleman decided to give Laynce Nix most of the playing time. By the beginning of May, Morse was getting starts only against left-handers, and that was sparingly.
Morse now says he put too much pressure on himself to be the player who earned the left-field job during Spring Training. During the exhibition season, he led the team in home runs Cardinals Albert Pujols Jersey (nine) and RBIs (18).
"I think early this year, I was pressing," Morse said. "I was trying to get five hits in one at-bat. That never works. I felt in Spring Training that I was ready to play every day.
"When you have a Authentic Casey Blake Jersey good Spring Training like that, it's sometimes not a good idea, because right when the season starts, the numbers are reset. I never had an Opening Day start. I did put pressure on myself."
Morse's confidence was at an all-time low by early Authentic Matt Kemp Jersey Jersey May. It was obvious to hitting coach Rick Eckstein that Morse was not the hitter he remembered from last year.
"As I watched him go through his at-bats, it wasn't the Mike Morse that I know," Eckstein said. "He would have a nice day here and there, but there was no consistency there. And then it kind of manifested itself to the point where I had a real good indication Anaheim Clayton Kershaw Jersey what he needed."
That was a stern lecture on hitting. One day after grounding out, Morse went into the dugout; his head was down. He then went into the video room near the Nationals' dugout to see what he was doing wrong.
Eckstein followed Morse into the computer room and was not happy that Morse didn't have a plan on what to do at the plate against the opposing pitcher.
Said Eckstein: "You are a good hitter. You are better than [the opposing pitcher]. Until you believe in yourself, nobody is going to believe in you."
"You could see in the way he said it, that he really meant it," Morse said about Eckstein's talk. "The way he was looking at me in the eye, I just told myself, 'I'm better than this. I'm better than this groundout.' I started taking the at-bats more seriously. I told myself, 'Don't waste at-bats.' Rafael Furcal Jersey He made me believe in myself."
As it turned out, Morse listened to every word Eckstein said. Morse would be back on the field on a regular basis by late May, at first base after Adam LaRoche was put on the disabled list because of a serious shoulder injury. Morse took advantage of the situation and now finds himself as the team's leading hitter, not to mention being an above-average defensive first baseman.
"It felt good to get that opportunity again, to come out and play every day and knowing you are going to be in the lineup," Morse said. "I just keep telling myself, 'I'm going to go out there, and I'm going to get Anaheim Matt Kemp Jersey Jersey three hits. I'm going to drive in runs. I'm better than this pitcher. There is no reason that this guy should get me out.' I think having that mentality is helping me a lot, and that's from talking to Rick and coaching me in that mental way."
But will it earn Morse a chance to James Loney Jersey make the All-Star team this year? That would make him happy.
"I Matt Kemp Jersey Jersey think that it would be one of the biggest accomplishments that I could ever achieve in this game, besides winning the World Series and going to the playoffs," Morse said. "Being able to get consistent playing time right now, words can't describe what it would mean to make the All-Star team."
That explains why Morse was selected as a candidate in the All-Star Game Final Vote Sponsored by Sprint. After 48 hours, he ranks fourth in the voting. Morse is competing against Authentic Rafael Furcal Jersey Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier, Rockies first baseman Todd Helton, D-backs right-hander Ian Kennedy and Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino for the final spot Anaheim James Loney Jersey on the National League roster. Victorino currently has the lead.
Morse, who has missed the past three games because of a sore left elbow after being hit by a pitch on Saturday against the Pirates, is expected to be back in the lineup on Wednesday night against the Cubs.
Morse, who was able to take batting and fielding practice without any problems before Tuesday's game, came in as a pinch-hitter in the bottom of the sixth and grounded out to second base.
"First, I like hitting with men on base," Morse said. "I feel I Albert Pujols Jersey can contribute a lot to this team. It's being comfortable. I'm getting an opportunity to play."
Now in its 10th year, the 2011 All-Star Game Final Anaheim Casey Blake Jersey Vote Sponsored by Sprint gives baseball fans Authentic James Loney Jersey around the world the opportunity to select the final player on each All-Star team. Balloting began immediately following Sunday's Major League All-Star Selection Show presented by Taco Bell and continues until 4 p.m. ET on Thursday. The winners will be announced on MLB.com shortly thereafter.
Mobile voting in the U.S. and Canada is open to everyone. In the U.S., to receive the 2011 All-Star Game Final Vote Sponsored by Sprint mobile ballot, text the word "VOTE" to 89269. To vote Authentic Clayton Kershaw Jersey for a specific player, simply text message your choice to 89269 (Example: Text "N4" to vote for Morse). In Canada, fans should text their choices to 65246. Standard message and data rates may apply.
The fun doesn't end there, however. Fans, having already decided the Authentic Albert Pujols Jersey starters and final player on each team, once again will have the opportunity to participate in the official voting for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player presented by Chevy via the 2011 All-Star Game MVP Vote Sponsored by Sprint on MLB.com during the All-Star Game.
The 82nd Major League Baseball All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and Sportsnet HD and Le Reseau des Sports and around the world by Major League Baseball International, with pregame ceremonies beginning at 8 p.m. ET. ESPN Radio will provide exclusive national radio coverage. MLB Network, MLB.com and Sirius XM also will Anaheim Rafael Furcal Jersey provide comprehensive All-Star Game coverage.
There will be an extra treat for fans who participate in the Final Vote. If you are not a current MLB.TV subscriber (MLB.TV or MLB.TV Premium), you are eligible to receive a 10-day free trial of MLB.TV from July 9-19. If you are a current MLB.TV subscriber (MLB.TV or MLB.TV Premium), you will receive Clayton Kershaw Jersey a 15 percent discount to the MLB.com Shop. MLB.com will send an email on Friday to all Final Vote voters with instructions on how to redeem the applicable offer.
There was a time this season when Morse wasn't getting a chance to play. He was the Opening Day left fielder, but after a slow start and some health issues, then manager Jim Riggleman decided to give Laynce Nix most of the playing time. By the beginning of May, Morse was getting starts only against left-handers, and that was sparingly.
Morse now says he put too much pressure on himself to be the player who earned the left-field job during Spring Training. During the exhibition season, he led the team in home runs Cardinals Albert Pujols Jersey (nine) and RBIs (18).
"I think early this year, I was pressing," Morse said. "I was trying to get five hits in one at-bat. That never works. I felt in Spring Training that I was ready to play every day.
"When you have a Authentic Casey Blake Jersey good Spring Training like that, it's sometimes not a good idea, because right when the season starts, the numbers are reset. I never had an Opening Day start. I did put pressure on myself."
Morse's confidence was at an all-time low by early Authentic Matt Kemp Jersey Jersey May. It was obvious to hitting coach Rick Eckstein that Morse was not the hitter he remembered from last year.
"As I watched him go through his at-bats, it wasn't the Mike Morse that I know," Eckstein said. "He would have a nice day here and there, but there was no consistency there. And then it kind of manifested itself to the point where I had a real good indication Anaheim Clayton Kershaw Jersey what he needed."
That was a stern lecture on hitting. One day after grounding out, Morse went into the dugout; his head was down. He then went into the video room near the Nationals' dugout to see what he was doing wrong.
Eckstein followed Morse into the computer room and was not happy that Morse didn't have a plan on what to do at the plate against the opposing pitcher.
Said Eckstein: "You are a good hitter. You are better than [the opposing pitcher]. Until you believe in yourself, nobody is going to believe in you."
"You could see in the way he said it, that he really meant it," Morse said about Eckstein's talk. "The way he was looking at me in the eye, I just told myself, 'I'm better than this. I'm better than this groundout.' I started taking the at-bats more seriously. I told myself, 'Don't waste at-bats.' Rafael Furcal Jersey He made me believe in myself."
As it turned out, Morse listened to every word Eckstein said. Morse would be back on the field on a regular basis by late May, at first base after Adam LaRoche was put on the disabled list because of a serious shoulder injury. Morse took advantage of the situation and now finds himself as the team's leading hitter, not to mention being an above-average defensive first baseman.
"It felt good to get that opportunity again, to come out and play every day and knowing you are going to be in the lineup," Morse said. "I just keep telling myself, 'I'm going to go out there, and I'm going to get Anaheim Matt Kemp Jersey Jersey three hits. I'm going to drive in runs. I'm better than this pitcher. There is no reason that this guy should get me out.' I think having that mentality is helping me a lot, and that's from talking to Rick and coaching me in that mental way."
But will it earn Morse a chance to James Loney Jersey make the All-Star team this year? That would make him happy.
"I Matt Kemp Jersey Jersey think that it would be one of the biggest accomplishments that I could ever achieve in this game, besides winning the World Series and going to the playoffs," Morse said. "Being able to get consistent playing time right now, words can't describe what it would mean to make the All-Star team."
Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster continued to get treatment for lower back stiffness and could start Saturday if he responds to treatment.
Dempster was scratched from Monday's game against the Nationals because of the discomfort. The Cubs need a starter on Saturday for the second game of their series against the Pirates.
"We'll keep him Mariners Felix Hernandez Jersey day to day," Cubs manager Mike Quade said of Dempster.
With the injury, the Cubs now have had all five starting pitchers miss at least one Casey Blake Jersey turn.
Cubs infielder Jeff Baker had to leave Tuesday's game after the third inning because of back spasms.
Baker singled in the first, but committed a throwing error in the Nationals' first that led to two runs. He grounded out in the third and was then lifted from Authentic Ichiro Suzuki Jersey the game.
Baker's status is Mariners Ken Griffey Jersey day to day, and he has already been on the disabled list this season with a groin injury.
Matt Garza and his family were among the Cubs' contingent that watched the fireworks on Andre Ethier Jersey the Fourth of July from the Capitol steps at the invitation of Illinois Senator Dick Durbin.
They also got a tour of the rotunda at the Capitol.
"There's a lot Mariners Ichiro Suzuki Jersey of history there," said Garza, whose 9-year-old son was dazzled by the age of some of the items, such as desks from the 1800s.
"My Authentic Felix Hernandez Jersey son was amazed at that," Garza said. "He's like, 'No way.'"
Garza's family was taking advantage of the trip and toured Williamsburg, Va., on Tuesday. He wanted to see Smithsonian this week, too.
"It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," said DeWitt, who also went.
Kerry Wood walked three of the seven batters he faced on Monday. It was his third outing since coming off the disabled list, and the Cubs right-hander wasn't as sharp as his first on Friday, when he threw a 1-2-3 eighth against the White Sox.
"He feels Nellie Fox Jersey fine, the finger is fine, but that doesn't mean the feel of the thing is fine," Cubs manager Mike Quade said of Wood, who was sidelined because of blister on his index finger. "Part of that is pitching until you get that feel. Hopefully, he figures something out."
? Reed Johnson, Blake DeWitt and pitching coach Mark Riggins took time Tuesday to visit veterans at Walter Reed Medical Center in Ichiro Suzuki Jersey Maryland.
"To me, it's the right thing to do," Johnson said. "Those guys are in there thanking us for coming in there, and I'm almost embarrassed. What we do doesn't mean hardly anything compared to what those Authentic Ken Griffey Jersey guys are Authentic Nellie Fox Jersey doing over there. They were thankful we're taking the time."
The Cubs' group got a tour of the rehab facility and saw some of the advanced equipment the wounded servicemen and women use, including a car simulator that can be adjusted for veterans missing arms or legs.
"They're able to learn how to operate things that we probably take for granted, things like buttoning a shirt with Felix Hernandez Jersey one arm," Johnson said.
? Quade's cap had a patch with the All-Star logo attached to the left side. He will be a coach on National League manager Bruce Bochy's staff for the game July 12 in Phoenix.
"I understand the players wearing it, and I'm thrilled and honored, but it's a players' thing," Quade said of the All-Star Game. "It's the players' game. When I saw [the patch], I thought Authentic Andre Ethier Jersey it was Ken Griffey Jersey a spoof. I said, 'Otis, get that out of here.'"
"Otis" is White Sox Michael Jordan Jersey Tom Hellman, the Cubs' clubhouse manager. Quade won't be going to the All-Star Game alone. Shortstop Starlin Anaheim Andre Ethier Jersey Castro was selected as a reserve on the NL team.
"It's a lot cooler to [have that White Sox Nellie Fox Jersey patch] on that kid out there," Quade said pointing to Castro.
Dempster was scratched from Monday's game against the Nationals because of the discomfort. The Cubs need a starter on Saturday for the second game of their series against the Pirates.
"We'll keep him Mariners Felix Hernandez Jersey day to day," Cubs manager Mike Quade said of Dempster.
With the injury, the Cubs now have had all five starting pitchers miss at least one Casey Blake Jersey turn.
Cubs infielder Jeff Baker had to leave Tuesday's game after the third inning because of back spasms.
Baker singled in the first, but committed a throwing error in the Nationals' first that led to two runs. He grounded out in the third and was then lifted from Authentic Ichiro Suzuki Jersey the game.
Baker's status is Mariners Ken Griffey Jersey day to day, and he has already been on the disabled list this season with a groin injury.
Matt Garza and his family were among the Cubs' contingent that watched the fireworks on Andre Ethier Jersey the Fourth of July from the Capitol steps at the invitation of Illinois Senator Dick Durbin.
They also got a tour of the rotunda at the Capitol.
"There's a lot Mariners Ichiro Suzuki Jersey of history there," said Garza, whose 9-year-old son was dazzled by the age of some of the items, such as desks from the 1800s.
"My Authentic Felix Hernandez Jersey son was amazed at that," Garza said. "He's like, 'No way.'"
Garza's family was taking advantage of the trip and toured Williamsburg, Va., on Tuesday. He wanted to see Smithsonian this week, too.
"It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," said DeWitt, who also went.
Kerry Wood walked three of the seven batters he faced on Monday. It was his third outing since coming off the disabled list, and the Cubs right-hander wasn't as sharp as his first on Friday, when he threw a 1-2-3 eighth against the White Sox.
"He feels Nellie Fox Jersey fine, the finger is fine, but that doesn't mean the feel of the thing is fine," Cubs manager Mike Quade said of Wood, who was sidelined because of blister on his index finger. "Part of that is pitching until you get that feel. Hopefully, he figures something out."
? Reed Johnson, Blake DeWitt and pitching coach Mark Riggins took time Tuesday to visit veterans at Walter Reed Medical Center in Ichiro Suzuki Jersey Maryland.
"To me, it's the right thing to do," Johnson said. "Those guys are in there thanking us for coming in there, and I'm almost embarrassed. What we do doesn't mean hardly anything compared to what those Authentic Ken Griffey Jersey guys are Authentic Nellie Fox Jersey doing over there. They were thankful we're taking the time."
The Cubs' group got a tour of the rehab facility and saw some of the advanced equipment the wounded servicemen and women use, including a car simulator that can be adjusted for veterans missing arms or legs.
"They're able to learn how to operate things that we probably take for granted, things like buttoning a shirt with Felix Hernandez Jersey one arm," Johnson said.
? Quade's cap had a patch with the All-Star logo attached to the left side. He will be a coach on National League manager Bruce Bochy's staff for the game July 12 in Phoenix.
"I understand the players wearing it, and I'm thrilled and honored, but it's a players' thing," Quade said of the All-Star Game. "It's the players' game. When I saw [the patch], I thought Authentic Andre Ethier Jersey it was Ken Griffey Jersey a spoof. I said, 'Otis, get that out of here.'"
"Otis" is White Sox Michael Jordan Jersey Tom Hellman, the Cubs' clubhouse manager. Quade won't be going to the All-Star Game alone. Shortstop Starlin Anaheim Andre Ethier Jersey Castro was selected as a reserve on the NL team.
"It's a lot cooler to [have that White Sox Nellie Fox Jersey patch] on that kid out there," Quade said pointing to Castro.
Ready or not, it's Adam Lind Jersey time for Ian Stewart to regain his place at third base for the Rockies.
With shortstop Troy Tulowitzki day-to-day with a tight right quad Athletics Andrew Bailey Jersey and center fielder Carlos Gonzalez working his way back after suffering a bruised right wrist on Sunday, the Rockies need production in their lineup. By calling up Stewart from Triple-A Colorado Springs and offering him a chance to find himself after a lost early part of the season, the Rockies are reaching into their not-too-distant past.
Stewart has been demoted twice to Triple-A Colorado Springs this season and is carrying a .064 (3-for-47) batting average in the Majors. Even more, Ty Wigginton has run with his opportunity at Authentic Michael Morse Jersey third base, hitting .280 with 13 home runs and 36 RBIs entering Tuesday. With the Rockies 41-44 and needing to do something in the final six games before the All-Star break -- all on the road -- it might not be the ideal time to insert a player with a zero as the first number in his batting average.
But rather than have Stewart sit around as a reserve during the temporary absences of two key Nationals Stephen Strasburg Jersey lineup cogs, manager Jim Tracy Adam Lind Jersey rearranged his lineup Tuesday against the Braves so Stewart would start at third and bat in the No. 7 slot. Wigginton was in the lineup Tuesday in Tulowitzki's cleanup spot, but he played left field.
The plan is for Stewart, who started on Authentic Stephen Strasburg Jersey Opening Day, to have a chance to regain his job, which would mean Wigginton can play his super-utility role, getting starts at several positions. It all depends on whether Stewart, 26, can be the player Colorado believed he would become when it selected him 10th overall in the 2003 MLB First-Year Player Draft.
Despite hitting just .228 in 2009, Stewart hit 25 home runs and drove in 70 runs. He hit .256 last year with 18 homers and 61 RBIs.
"I don't know where it's going to go, but I certainly feel it's an ideal opportunity for a guy that has shown in the course of his career that this is not a new thing for him at the Major League level," Tracy said. "Being very, very successful for a period of time is not a new thing for him. In order to put a little bit of extra sock in our lineup, we Authentic Andrew Bailey Jersey needed to lean in this direction."
This season began to fall apart for Stewart when the first Blue Jays Adam Lind Jersey batter of the first Authentic Adam Lind Jersey Spring Training game Nationals Adam Lind Jersey hit a foul pop, and Stewart and Gonzalez, playing right field, collided. The bruised knee Stewart suffered kept him out of games for the early part Nationals Michael Morse Jersey of the schedule. Stewart also suffered a hamstring injury late in the spring. After considering sending him to Triple-A, the Rockies saw Stewart have Authentic Ryan Zimmerman Jersey some good games at the end of spring and on Opening Day kept him active.
The decision didn't work.
After being sent down on May 13 for the second time, Stewart, who has had difficulty with inside pitches at the Major League level since last season, opened his stance and lowered his hands. The changes were offered by hitting coach Carney Lansford during a session in Stewart's offseason hometown of Nationals Ryan Zimmerman Jersey Asheville, N.C., last winter, but Stewart said he didn't feel comfortable.
The changes appear to be still a work in progress. During the second trip to the Minors, Stewart started hot, but descended into a slump. He has had some good days recently, like a six-RBI game at Salt Lake City on June 26. Overall at Colorado Springs, he was hitting .269 with 14 home runs and 41 RBIs in 44 games, but with a concerning 49 strikeouts Michael Morse Jersey in 167 at-bats.
Last week, on the day the Rockies acquired second baseman Mark Ellis from Authentic Adam Lind Jersey the Athletics, general manager Dan O'Dowd said Stewart, as well as center fielder Dexter Fowler, hadn't made enough progress to be considered for a callup. But the injuries to Tulowitzki and Gonzalez, both of whom have made strides in recent weeks after early-season struggles, made turning to Stewart necessary.
Outfielder Cole Garner, who flied out Monday night in his Major League debut after being called up, was sent back to Colorado Springs. Garner and Stewart were teammates at La Quinta High School in Garden Stephen Strasburg Jersey Grove, Calif., in 2003.
Stewart said he is ready.
"I'm ready to come back in and give everything I have," Stewart said. "If I play and don't get any hits, I'll Ryan Zimmerman Jersey put it behind me and go to the next game. That was something that I struggled with before, feeling like I not going to get a hit. I can't play that way. I'm ready to just leave it all out there, do anything I can to help the team win, just give good at-bats and try to make all the plays.
"If I don't, at least I know that I was giving it my best."
The fact Stewart has produced before makes the Rockies believe he can snap into form.
"We need him to play like he's capable offensively," said Lansford, who watched Stewart hit in the batting cage Tuesday and saw progress with his new stance. "We know he can play great defense.
"We need somebody to step up. We need him to come play like we know he can play. That's the bottom line."
With shortstop Troy Tulowitzki day-to-day with a tight right quad Athletics Andrew Bailey Jersey and center fielder Carlos Gonzalez working his way back after suffering a bruised right wrist on Sunday, the Rockies need production in their lineup. By calling up Stewart from Triple-A Colorado Springs and offering him a chance to find himself after a lost early part of the season, the Rockies are reaching into their not-too-distant past.
Stewart has been demoted twice to Triple-A Colorado Springs this season and is carrying a .064 (3-for-47) batting average in the Majors. Even more, Ty Wigginton has run with his opportunity at Authentic Michael Morse Jersey third base, hitting .280 with 13 home runs and 36 RBIs entering Tuesday. With the Rockies 41-44 and needing to do something in the final six games before the All-Star break -- all on the road -- it might not be the ideal time to insert a player with a zero as the first number in his batting average.
But rather than have Stewart sit around as a reserve during the temporary absences of two key Nationals Stephen Strasburg Jersey lineup cogs, manager Jim Tracy Adam Lind Jersey rearranged his lineup Tuesday against the Braves so Stewart would start at third and bat in the No. 7 slot. Wigginton was in the lineup Tuesday in Tulowitzki's cleanup spot, but he played left field.
The plan is for Stewart, who started on Authentic Stephen Strasburg Jersey Opening Day, to have a chance to regain his job, which would mean Wigginton can play his super-utility role, getting starts at several positions. It all depends on whether Stewart, 26, can be the player Colorado believed he would become when it selected him 10th overall in the 2003 MLB First-Year Player Draft.
Despite hitting just .228 in 2009, Stewart hit 25 home runs and drove in 70 runs. He hit .256 last year with 18 homers and 61 RBIs.
"I don't know where it's going to go, but I certainly feel it's an ideal opportunity for a guy that has shown in the course of his career that this is not a new thing for him at the Major League level," Tracy said. "Being very, very successful for a period of time is not a new thing for him. In order to put a little bit of extra sock in our lineup, we Authentic Andrew Bailey Jersey needed to lean in this direction."
This season began to fall apart for Stewart when the first Blue Jays Adam Lind Jersey batter of the first Authentic Adam Lind Jersey Spring Training game Nationals Adam Lind Jersey hit a foul pop, and Stewart and Gonzalez, playing right field, collided. The bruised knee Stewart suffered kept him out of games for the early part Nationals Michael Morse Jersey of the schedule. Stewart also suffered a hamstring injury late in the spring. After considering sending him to Triple-A, the Rockies saw Stewart have Authentic Ryan Zimmerman Jersey some good games at the end of spring and on Opening Day kept him active.
The decision didn't work.
After being sent down on May 13 for the second time, Stewart, who has had difficulty with inside pitches at the Major League level since last season, opened his stance and lowered his hands. The changes were offered by hitting coach Carney Lansford during a session in Stewart's offseason hometown of Nationals Ryan Zimmerman Jersey Asheville, N.C., last winter, but Stewart said he didn't feel comfortable.
The changes appear to be still a work in progress. During the second trip to the Minors, Stewart started hot, but descended into a slump. He has had some good days recently, like a six-RBI game at Salt Lake City on June 26. Overall at Colorado Springs, he was hitting .269 with 14 home runs and 41 RBIs in 44 games, but with a concerning 49 strikeouts Michael Morse Jersey in 167 at-bats.
Last week, on the day the Rockies acquired second baseman Mark Ellis from Authentic Adam Lind Jersey the Athletics, general manager Dan O'Dowd said Stewart, as well as center fielder Dexter Fowler, hadn't made enough progress to be considered for a callup. But the injuries to Tulowitzki and Gonzalez, both of whom have made strides in recent weeks after early-season struggles, made turning to Stewart necessary.
Outfielder Cole Garner, who flied out Monday night in his Major League debut after being called up, was sent back to Colorado Springs. Garner and Stewart were teammates at La Quinta High School in Garden Stephen Strasburg Jersey Grove, Calif., in 2003.
Stewart said he is ready.
"I'm ready to come back in and give everything I have," Stewart said. "If I play and don't get any hits, I'll Ryan Zimmerman Jersey put it behind me and go to the next game. That was something that I struggled with before, feeling like I not going to get a hit. I can't play that way. I'm ready to just leave it all out there, do anything I can to help the team win, just give good at-bats and try to make all the plays.
"If I don't, at least I know that I was giving it my best."
The fact Stewart has produced before makes the Rockies believe he can snap into form.
"We need him to play like he's capable offensively," said Lansford, who watched Stewart hit in the batting cage Tuesday and saw progress with his new stance. "We know he can play great defense.
"We need somebody to step up. We need him to come play like we know he can play. That's the bottom line."