Will Ichiro Steal the All-Star Game?

Prepare to catch Ichiro Mania, which hits baseball’s 72nd All-Star Game today on Fox.

Right-fielder Ichiro Suzuki, who leads the majors in hits and stolen bases, is one of four Seattle Mariners starting for the American League at Safeco Field, the Mariners’ ballpark.

The Japanese-born Suzuki received more than 3.3 million votes by fans, many of them cast on paper ballots for the first time in his homeland, where he was a seven-time batting champion for the Orix Blue Wave.

Suzuki, who’s considered a rookie by Major League Baseball standards, will be joined in the starting lineup by teammates John Olerud, Bret Boone and designated hitter Edgar Martinez.

San Francisco Giant left-fielder Barry Bonds, who leads the majors in home runs, drew more than 2.1 million votes, topping all players in the National League. He’ll be joined as a starter by teammates Jeff Kent at second base and Rich Aurilia at shortstop.

Third baseman Cal Ripken, who will retire at season’s end, is making his final appearance for the AL.

Local fans can throw their support behind Dodger pitchers Chan Ho Park and Jeff Shaw as well as Angel third baseman Troy Glaus and closer Troy Percival.

Joe Buck and Tim McCarver handle the play-by-play for the game, which should begin around 5:30 p.m. after player introductions and pregame chatter.

Surf Report

SERIES

Nothing like seeing your college professor in a nightie. It’s an image that stuns “Frasier” (9 p.m. NBC), who encounters his former mentor (Rene Auberjonois) at the apartment of, well, we won’t spoil it for anyone who missed this episode the first time.

“Of Civil Wrongs & Rights: The Fred Korematsu Story” (10 p.m. KCET, KVCR) profiles the man who was arrested after opposing the forced internment of Japanese Americans in 1942. Korematsu took his case to the Supreme Court, which ruled against him, but 39 years later, he was vindicated by the federal government.

Sparks fly as the rock-’em, sock-’em “BattleBots” (10 p.m. Comedy Central) expands to a full hour and adds former “Baywatch” star Traci Bingham as a sideline interviewer.

SPECIALS

“Guns of WWII” (9 p.m. History Channel) triggers speculation about the weapons used by the American infantry.