by Amaury Pi Gonzalez

In the history of the All Star Game, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Stan Musial hold the record with 24 selections. Following are Mickey Mantle 20, Ted Williams 19 and Cal Ripken Jr. 19. Among all active players today, Derek Jeter, NY Yankee shortstop (who will be starting for the American League next Tuesday) has the most All Star appearances with 13.

The American League Oakland Athletics, with the best record in baseball, placed six players on the roster for the first time since 1975. Josh Donaldson will be the starting third baseman.
The San Francisco Giants will have two players( N.L reserves)Hunter Pence and Madison Bumgarner.

National League Milwaukee will send four All Stars for the first time since 2007.

Also, 25 first time All-Stars and 24 foreign-born players were announced. Rookie Jose Abreu (Cuba)of the Chicago White Sox and pitcher Masahiro Tanaka(Japan)of the New York Yankees, are among the first timers. Abreu with 27 home runs leads both leagues, and Tanaka with 12 wins leads all pitchers.

The Home Run derby competition which began in 1985 with Cincinnati Dave Parker as the winner, will have three Cuban-born stars; Yasiel Puig(Dodgers) for the National League and Jose Abreu(White Sox)and Yoenis Cespedes(Oakland)for the American League, among others. Because of sports television networks, the Home Run Derby has become a popular event televised worldwide. Last year’s winner was Oakland A’s left fielder Yoenis Cespedes.

The first Major League Baseball All Star Game took place July 6, 1933 at Comiskey Park, Chicago.

Target Field, Minneapolis Seating Capacity 39,500. Game will be televised nationally by Fox.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Spanish radio voice for A’s baseball and does News and Commentary each week on http://www.sportsradioservice.com