NEW YORK -- Alex Rodriguez won the popular vote and a slew of Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs will join him in the starting lineup at the All-Star game.

Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis were elected by fans from the World Series champion Red Sox. Alfonso Soriano, Kosuke Fukudome and rookie catcher Geovany Soto of the Cubs were chosen in results announced Sunday.

Milwaukee outfielder Ryan Braun overtook Ken Griffey Jr. in the final week of balloting. The Tampa Bay Rays, with the best record in the majors, did not have a single player elected to start the July 15 game at Yankee Stadium.

Rodriguez, the Yankees third baseman, received the most votes overall. Philadelphia second baseman Chase Utley led the NL.

The AL starting lineup: Youkilis at first base, Pedroia at second base, New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, Rodriguez at third base, outfielders Josh Hamilton of Texas, Ichiro Suzuki of Seattle and Ramirez, and Minnesota catcher Joe Mauer.

Ortiz was elected to start as the designated hitter, but a wrist injury will keep him sidelined. Rangers slugger Milton Bradley will take Ortiz's place.

Soriano, who has been out with a broken left hand, may return in time to play.

Starting for the NL: Houston first baseman Lance Berkman, Utley at second base, Florida shortstop Hanley Ramirez and Atlanta third baseman Chipper Jones, with Soriano, Fukudome and Braun in the outfield. Soto will become the first rookie catcher to start for the NL.

Fan voting for the starters ended Wednesday. In a close race, Hanley Ramirez held off Milwaukee's J.J. Hardy and Houston's Miguel Tejada at shortstop.

Once again, the league that wins the All-Star game will get home-field advantage in the World Series.

The AL has not lost an All-Star game since 1996 at Veterans Stadium. Since then, the AL has won 10 and tied one.

AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service