Only Dodger All-Star Pick to Stay Home

Only one Dodger was elected by the fans to start Tuesday night’s annual All-Star game in Toronto, according to final tabulations released Wednesday. The Angels drew a blank.

In what is basically a popularity contest based on career accomplishments rather than 1991 performance, Darryl Strawberry of the Dodgers was selected to the National League outfield despite his poor statistics and stated intention to skip the game because of his recent shoulder injury.

Strawberry, who came off the disabled list Wednesday with a .224 average, seven home runs and 26 runs batted in, reaffirmed that he will not play in the All-Star game.

“I need to rest the shoulder and be ready for the second half,” he said. “I appreciate the fans’ support, but I have not had a first half deserving of All-Star selection.”

Strawberry led NL outfielders with 1,393,009 votes. Second baseman Ryne Sandberg of the Chicago Cubs was the top vote-getter overall with 2,526,747.

Sandberg injured his right hand in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates Tuesday, and it is uncertain if he will be able to play in Toronto. He has said that he wants to play.

“It’s a great honor. It’s nice to have the fans’ support and be appreciated,” Sandberg said. “It gives me a lot more incentive to get back to play. Once the All-Star game starts, both teams take great pride in the game and want to make a good showing for their leagues. It’s a great compliment to be the leading vote-getter.”

It is expected that the Dodgers’ Juan Samuel, batting .320 compared to Sandberg’s .301, will be the backup and possible starter at second base if Sandberg is out.

Tony La Russa of the Oakland Athletics and Lou Piniella of the Cincinnati Reds, the respective managers, will announce their pitchers and reserves today.

Samuel is one of five other Dodgers thought to have a chance to make the National League team. The others are pitchers Ramon Martinez and Mike Morgan, first baseman Eddie Murray and catcher Mike Scioscia.

Outfielder Dave Winfield and pitchers Mark Langston and Bryan Harvey are thought to have the best chance among the Angels to make the American League roster.

Chuck Finley (11-3) will pitch Sunday’s final game of the first half for the Angels and would be unable to pitch only two days later.

First baseman Wally Joyner, who is enjoying an All-Star season with a .325 average, 11 homers and 55 RBIs, may be victimized by Mark McGwire’s election as the starter. McGwire is batting .201 with 13 homers and 40 RBIs. Cecil Fielder, the major league RBI leader, is expected to be the backup.

Winfield, batting .289 with 17 homers and 55 RBIs, is one of several American League outfielders--Ruben Sierra and Joe Carter are prominent among the others--whose overall statistics are superior to Ken Griffey Jr. and Rickey Henderson, who were elected as starters, along with the deserving Dave Henderson.

The other AL starters are Roberto Alomar at second base, Cal Ripken at shortstop, Wade Boggs at third base and Sandy Alomar at catcher.

The Alomars became the first brothers elected as All-Star starters since the voting was returned to the fans in 1970.

Their father, Sandy, a former second baseman with the Angels, was on the AL team that year as a reserve, enabling the Alomars to join the DiMaggios--who were represented by brothers Joe, Dom and Vince--as the only families to have had three All-Stars.

Sandy Alomar Jr. was elected despite a rotator cuff tear that has restricted his availability to 34 games. He is batting .205 with no home runs.

“It’s a big thrill, not just for me and Sandy but for my whole family,” Roberto said. “I always dreamed of playing with Sandy in the major leagues, and I thought this season I’d only get a chance to play against him. But he was the designated hitter when we played Cleveland, so I never got to steal on him.”

The other NL starters are Will Clark at first base, Ozzie Smith at shortstop, Chris Sabo at third base, Benito Santiago at catcher and Andre Dawson and Tony Gwynn in the outfield.

Clark, Gwynn, Dawson, Griffey and Dave Henderson qualified for $25,000 contract bonuses for being selected. Sandy Alomar will receive a $15,000 bonus.

The All-Star Game

Starting lineups, as determined by fan voting, for Tuesday night’s game at Toronto’s SkyDome.

Ken Griffey Jr.

Dave Henderson

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Pos. Player Team Votes C Sandy Alomar Cleveland 1,367,734 1B Mark McGwire Oakland 912,052 2B Roberto Alomar Toronto 1,661,039 SS Cal Ripken Baltimore 2,060,109 3B Wade Boggs Boston 1,651,716 OF Ken Griffey Jr. Seattle 2,248,396 OF Dave Henderson Oakland 1,570,507 OF Rickey Henderson Oakland 1,477,838 Manager Tony La Russa Oakland Ryne Sandberg Darryl Strawberry NATIONAL LEAGUE Pos. Player Team Votes C Benito Santiago San Diego 1,751,399 1B Will Clark San Francisco 1,534,203 2B Ryne Sandberg Chicago 2,526,747 SS Ozzie Smith St. Louis 1,280,495 3B Chris Sabo Cincinnati 1,325,774 OF Darryl Strawberry Dodgers 1,393,009 OF Tony Gwynn San Diego 1,381,602 OF Andre Dawson Chicago 1,108,585 Manager Lou Piniella Cincinnati