Longoria, Hart win All-Star spots

Jul 10, 2008 - 11:14 PM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Tampa Bay Rays rookie third baseman Evan Longoria and Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Corey Hart were chosen by the fans as the winners of the All-Star Game final vote on Thursday.

Garnering the American League spot, Longoria was voted in over Jermaine Dye of the Chicago White Sox, Jason Giambi of the host New York Yankees, Brian Roberts of the Baltimore Orioles and Jose Guillen of the Kansas City Royals.

"I'm totally excited," Longoria said. "I want to say thanks to the fans and the people who voted. It says a lot about our club."

Just 22 years old, Longoria has emerged as a key cog for the Rays (55-35), who own baseball's best record.

"This could not have happened without the team's success," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "We're getting individual recognition because of the team's success."

Longoria, who started the season in the minors, is batting .281 with 16 home runs and 53 RBI in 80 games. He joins fellow Rays Dioner Navarro and Scott Kazmir at Tuesday night's Midsummer Classic.

Hart claimed the final National League position, holding off David Wright of the New York Mets. Also in contention for the final spot were Pat Burrell of the Philadelphia Phillies, Aaron Rowand of the San Francisco Giants and Carlos Lee of the Houston Astros.

"It's incredible," Hart said. "I thought I had a chance the way the fans have been and the way they pushed in (Ryan Braun). I thought the way they were, I'd have a chance. But we were going against New York (Wright) and Philly (Burrell). Those are pretty big markets. The fans pulled through."

A first-time All-Star, Hart is batting .292 with 15 homers, 57 RBI and 13 stolen bases in 91 games this season. He joins Ben Sheets and Braun as Brewers that made this year's All-Star squad.

"It says my name is out there a little bit," Hart said. "I feel like I've progressed every year and people are starting to know who I am."