Fans Cast Their Votes for Piazza

Mike Piazza, who played for three teams in less than a week, is the top vote-getter at catcher in the early balloting for the National League All-Star team, which was announced Tuesday.

The leaders at the other positions in the early voting by the fans are: first baseman Mark McGwire of St. Louis, second baseman Craig Biggio of Houston, shortstop Walt Weiss of Atlanta, third baseman Chipper Jones of Atlanta, and outfielders Tony Gwynn of San Diego, Moises Alou of Houston and Barry Bonds of San Francisco. The game will be played July 7 at Coors Field.

The first American League balloting will be announced today.

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Met catcher Todd Hundley, uncertain of his future after the trade to acquire Piazza, acknowledged a deteriorating relationship with the team Tuesday.

“This organization is not going to drive a wedge between me and the fans,” Hundley said.

Hundley has yet to play this season while he recovers from surgery last September that replaced a ligament in his right elbow. Concerns have been raised recently about Hundley’s weight, his devotion to rehabilitation and even his drinking habits, with unfavorable comments in New York area newspapers that were attributed to unidentified Met sources.

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The Pittsburgh Pirates promoted 19-year-old third baseman Aramis Ramirez from triple-A Nashville and put left-handed reliever Jeff Tabaka on the 15-day disabled list.