Maybe All-Stars aren't quite what they used to be.
The American League team has two starters hitting less than their weight - Oakland's Mark McGwire and Cleveland's Sandy Alomar Jr.Los Angeles' Darryl Strawberry, voted to the National League's starting outfield, came off the disabled list Wednesday hitting .224 with seven home runs and 26 RBIs. That's better than McGwire; he's hitting .197.
There are some nice stories, though, that will unfold in Toronto's SkyDome next Tuesday night.
American Leaguers Sandy and Roberto Alomar on Wednesday became the first brothers elected to the All-Star game's starting lineup since the balloting was returned to the fans in 1970.
"It's a big thrill, not just for me and Sandy but for my whole family," said Roberto, the Toronto Blue Jays' second baseman. "I always dreamed of playing with Sandy in the major leagues and I thought this season I'd only get a chance to play against him. But he was the designated hitter when we played Cleveland, so I never got to steal on him."
Ryne Sandberg of the Chicago Cubs was elected the NL second baseman and led all vote-getters with 2,526,747. Sandberg, who currently has a hand injury, got the most votes since Gary Carter of Montreal totaled 2,785,407 in 1982.
"It's a great honor. It's nice to have the fans' support and be appreciated," Sandberg said. "It gives me a lot more incentive to get back to play. Once the All-Star game starts, both teams take great pride in the game and want to make a good showing for their leagues. It's a great compliment to be the leading vote-getter."
Seattle outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. paced the AL this year with 2,248,396 votes. Ken Griffey Sr. was selected to three All-Star games, the last time in 1980.
Last year, Sandy Jr. of the Cleveland Indians became the first rookie catcher ever voted to the starting team and Roberto was selected as an NL reserve with San Diego. The second baseman's offseason trade to Toronto put both brothers in the same league.
Add their father, Sandy, who was on the AL team in 1970, and the Alomars joined the DiMaggios (Joe, Dom and Vince) as the only family with three All-Star members. They are the seventh brother combination to make the All-Star team, starting with Joe and Vince DiMaggio in 1941.
The rest of the AL infield has McGwire of Oakland at first base, Cal Ripken of Baltimore at shortstop and Wade Boggs of Boston at third.
The AL starting outfield is Griffey Jr. and Oakland teammates Rickey Henderson and Dave Henderson.
The NL starting infield also has some familiar faces with Will Clark of San Francisco at first base, Sandberg at second, Ozzie Smith of St. Louis at shortstop and Chris Sabo of Cincinnati at third.
The starting NL outfield is Strawberry, Andre Dawson of Chicago and Towy Gwynn of San Diego. Strawberry, however, has already said he will not be going to the All-Star game in order to rest his injured left shoulder.
San Diego's Benito Santiago was selected as the NL starting catcher for the second straight season. He was unable to play in last year's game at Wrigley Field because of an arm injury.
Smith, 36, was elected the NL's starting shortstop for the record ninth consecutive year.
Reserves and pitchers will be announced today.