For the first time since 1968, the Minnesota Twins will be represented at the All-Star Game with two starters. Last done by Rod Carew and Harmon Killebrew, close friends Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau are set to start in this year's Midsummer Classic in Anaheim, California later this month.
When the voting was all said and done, Mauer collected over 5 million fan votes to lead all players in baseball, and to become the first catcher to accomplish the feat since Ivan Rodriguez did it ten years ago. For Mauer, the appearance in Anaheim will mark his third All-Star Game start behind the plate and his fourth overall selection. Meanwhile, Morneau will be making his first start as an All-Star while he also makes his fourth trip.
While the Twins have two players guaranteed of heading to the West Coast come mid-July, they could add one more. Outfielder Delmon Young, in the midst of a breakout season with a .298 average, 9 homeruns, and 55 RBI, is up for the final vote against four other position players. He'll need to beat out players from both New York and Boston, but if he can win the battle, he'll join the M&M Boys on their trip out west.