All-Star Game Notes
* Last season, the American League took the Midsummer Classic, 7-5. The AL has not lost to the NL since the 1996 game in Philadelphia (8-0-1 since).
* The National League leads the all-time series, 40-34-2.
* Brad Penny was named the NL’s starting pitcher for Tuesday’s contest by Phil Garner. It marks the 2nd consecutive season that the National League’s starter will be making his ASG debut (Chris Carpenter in 2005).
* Kenny Rogers was named to his 4th career All-Star Game and his first as a starter by American League manager Ozzie Guillen. The last time Detroit had the starting battery for the event was 1966, when Denny McLain threw to Bill Freehan.
* Rogers will be the 2nd oldest pitcher to start an All-Star Game. Roger Clemens became the eldest when he started the 2004 ASG in Houston.
* David Eckstein (for Jose Reyes) and Francisco Liriano (for Jose Contreras) were named as late replacements to their respective squads on Monday (Edgar Renteria will start at shortstop for the NL in place of Reyes)---Liriano joins Jose Lopez (Seattle), Gary Matthews Jr. (Texas) and Magglio Ordonez (Detroit) as replacements on the AL roster, while Eckstein joins Roy Oswalt (Houston) as replacements for the NL.
* Team USA beat the World team in the Futures Game on Sunday, 8-5. Royals’ prospect, Billy Butler homered en route to earning MVP honors in the contest. The USA prospects now lead the all-time series, 5-3.
* With the addition of A.J. Pierzynski as the final player added to the AL squad, the White Sox will be represented by seven players at the ASG---most of any team. The Mets are second on that list with six players, although Pedro Martinez, Tom Glavine and Jose Reyes will not participate.
* The Tigers head into the All-Star Game with MLB’s best record and the most wins by an AL team at the break (59) since the 2001 Mariners (63). The White Sox had the best record at the 2005 All-Star break and, of course, went on to win the World Series.
* There will be 25 first time All-Stars in this year’s contest---12 for the AL and 13 for the NL.
* The overall MLB batting average has increased each month this season: April-.265, May-.268, June-.270, July-.279.