Former Cavalier Zimmerman in Tight Race for All-Star Final Vote

Story Links

Former Cavalier baseball standout Ryan Zimmerman has been named a finalist in the 2010 All-Star Game Final Vote, with the winner earning the 34th spot on the 2010 National League All-Star team. Fans can cast votes for the National League Final Vote until 4 p.m. Thursday at MLB.com. There is no limit to the number of votes that fans can make. The Major League Baseball All-Star Game will be contested next Tuesday (July 13) at 8 p.m. in Anaheim, Calif., on FOX.

Zimmerman is having another standout season for the Nationals, batting .286 with 14 home runs, 44 RBI and a team-high 49 runs scored, which is tied for the most among National League third basemen.

After the first 48 hours of voting, Zimmerman narrowly trails the Reds’ Joey Votto for the NL’s final spot. After Zimmerman, closer Billy Wagner of the Braves, left fielder Carlos Gonzalez of the Rockies and closer Heath Bell of the Padres are vying for votes.

The winners, as chosen exclusively by online fan voting totals, will be announced on MLB.com shortly after the 4 p.m. Thursday voting deadline. Mobile voting is available exclusively on Sprint, Nextel and Boost capable mobile phones and fans can send the word “Vote” to 1122 to receive the 2010 All-Star Game Final Vote Sponsored by Sprint ballot. Message and data rates may apply. In Canada, fans can text “Vote” to 88555. Standard text rates apply.

Originally introduced during this year’s online balloting for the elected starters, fans can campaign for their favorite player on the Final Vote ballot through MLB.com’s All-Star Campaign Manager program, tallying points by getting their friends, family and co-workers to vote through social networking, and competing to be recognized as an “official” Final Vote Campaign Manager for any player they helped support.

Zimmerman, who ranks fourth all-time at Virginia in career batting (.355) and seventh in career hits (250), is seeking his second straight MLB all-star appearance.