McGwire, Sosa NL Starters

Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa, who led baseball’s resurgence with their home run race last summer, will start together in the All-Star game for the first time.

McGwire, who hit a record 70 home runs last season and Sosa, who leads the major leagues with 32, were elected to start for the National League at Boston’s Fenway Park next Tuesday.

It will be the 11th appearance and seventh start for McGwire, and the third appearance and first start for Sosa.

“I have to say thank you to all the people who voted for me,” Sosa said. “I feel pretty proud of myself.”

The second-year Arizona Diamondbacks were the only team to put two players in the starting lineup. Matt Williams won at third base and Jay Bell overtook Houston’s Craig Biggio in the final week to win at second.

“I’m extremely, extremely surprised,” Bell said. “Craig has been the fair-haired second baseman in the National League. He’s deserved it. He’s been a great player over the years. For me to be elected over him is a great honor and truly unexpected.”

Mike Piazza of the New York Mets will be the starting catcher for the sixth consecutive season and make his seventh appearance.

Cincinnati’s Barry Larkin held off New York’s Rey Ordonez at shortstop, and Colorado’s Larry Walker and San Diego’s Tony Gwynn were elected to join Sosa in the outfield.

Gwynn, elected to his 15th All-Star game and 11th starting spot, won’t play because of a calf injury.

Sosa was the NL’s leading vote-getter with 2,315,204.

Pitchers and reserves for both leagues will be announced today.

* N.L All-Star game voting, Page 7