Larkin and Lofton Get the Fan Votes, Not Doctor Notes

While San Diego outfielder Tony Gwynn was elected to the All-Star game for the 13th time, Cincinnati shortstop Barry Larkin will have to miss his third game and Atlanta outfielder Kenny Lofton will have to miss his first as a National League representative.

The results of the All-Star game voting were released Tuesday and, as expected, Dodger Mike Piazza had the most votes--2,626,213.

Gwynn, San Diego’s seven-time NL batting champion, overtook San Francisco’s Barry Bonds in the final week of voting to win the third outfield spot by 44,417, the smallest victory margin of any starter. He will be on the NL team for the ninth consecutive season, but missed last year’s game because of injury.

Larkin, selected for the ninth time in 10 years, will miss his third All-Star game because of an injury. He strained his left calf June 16.

“I have flexibility. I just don’t have the strength,” Larkin said after taking batting practice Tuesday. “I can’t hold my body weight on it.”

Lofton, an American League starter the past three seasons with the Indians, is out because of a pulled left groin muscle but is eligible to be activated Friday.

“I’d love to be out there for the fans, but the Atlanta Braves are first and foremost,” he said. “If I don’t play this weekend, I’m not feeling right, not feeling up to par, the All-Star game is secondary right now.”

Elected to the National League infield for Tuesday’s game at Cleveland were Houston first baseman Jeff Bagwell (1,494,752), Astro second baseman Craig Biggio (1,161,610), Larkin (1,160,651) and San Diego third baseman Ken Caminiti (1,438,736). Lofton (2,174,613), Colorado’s Larry Walker (1,732,886) and Gwynn (1,603,730) were elected to the outfield.

Walker, the major league’s leading hitter at .402, said he would play even if Randy Johnson is pitching for the American League. When Johnson pitched for Seattle against Colorado on June 13, Walker took himself out of the lineup so he wouldn’t have to face Johnson, perhaps the toughest pitcher for left-handed hitters.

“If I’m going to show what I can do, it is going to be in a Rockies uniform in a regular-season game,” Walker said. “I’m going there to do my best, and I’m not going to worry if it’s good or bad. I’m not going there pressing.”

Biggio will be on the team for the sixth time in seven years. Bagwell and Caminiti will be making their third appearances, while Walker will be making his second with the first in 1992.

Caminiti gets a $50,000 bonus, while Bagwell, Biggio, Gwynn, Lofton and Walker get $25,000 each. In addition, Bagwell gets a no-trade clause from the Astros for 1998 because he was elected.

Griffey, who got $50,000 for his election to the AL team, gets an additional $50,000 because he was the top vote-getter among all players.

The AL starters were announced Monday and reserves for both teams will be announced today.

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AL All-Star Voting

Leading vote-getters by position for the 1997 National League All-Star team released Tuesday:

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Pos. Player, Team Votes 1B Jeff Bagwell, Houston 1,494,752 2B Craig Biggio, Houston 1,161,610 3B Ken Caminiti, San Diego 1,438,736 SS Barry Larkin, Cincinnati 1,160,651 OF Kenny Lofton, Atlanta 2,174,613 OF Larry Walker, Colorado 1,732,886 OF Tony Gwynn, San Diego 1,603,730 C Mike Piazza, Dodgers 2,626,213

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