NEW YORK -- Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino and Detroit Tigers third baseman Brandon Inge have been elected by fans to Tuesday's All-Star Game in record-shattering voting exclusively on MLB.com, the official website of Major League Baseball, and the individual club sites.
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| During Thursday's batting practice, Shane Victorino reacts to finding out he was voted into the All-Star Game. (US Presswire) |
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Inge got 11.8 million ballots, finishing ahead of Texas' Ian Kinsler, the Los Angeles Angels' Chone Figgins, Tampa Bays' Carlos Pena and Toronto's Adam Lind.
"To all the fans across the country, mahalo for your support," said Victorino, a native of Hawaii. "I am so honored and appreciative of the passion that everyone has shown to make this dream come true, especially with the number of votes cast. It's just unbelievable."
The Phillies went all-out to get Victorino selected to his first All-Star Game. He went door-to-door in South Philadelphia with Mayor Michael A. Nutter to campaign for votes on Monday. Three fans in their early 20s won a radio station promotion and sat in the press box lounge for 52 straight hours clicking nonstop on their computers for their favorite player. Fans in the ballpark and people listening to the game on radio or watching on television were constantly reminded to "Vote for Shane."
Even Victorino's teammates joined in the campaign while playfully poking fun at the player known as the "Flyin' Hawaiian." After Victorino delivered the game-winning hit in the ninth inning Wednesday night, Chan Ho Park walked out of the bullpen wearing a two-sided billboard that read: "Vote Victorino."
