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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, July 9, 2009

Maui's Shane Victorino voted into Major League All-Star Game


Advertiser Staff and News Services

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Philadelphia Phillies' Shane Victorino, center, celebrates with Jimmy Rollins (11) after Victorino hit a run-scoring single against the Cincinnati Reds' to win the game 3-2 in the ninth inning yesterday in Philadelphia.

H. RUMPH JR. | Associated Press

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Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino, a graduate of Maui's St. Anthony High, was picked in fan voting today for the final spot on the National League roster for the Major League Baseball All-Star Game.
"To all the fans across the country, mahalo for your support," Victorino said.

"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."
Victorino is the first player from Hawaii to be chosen for the All-Star Game since New York Mets pitcher Sid Fernandez in 1986 and 1987.
The annual All-Star Game is Tuesday at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.
Victorino edged San Francisco Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval and three other players who were put up for a “Final Vote” after not initially being selected to the All-Star team.
Victorino received 15.6 million Internet votes to surpass Evan Longoria's record-setting 9 million in 2008.
Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Mark Reynolds was in third place, followed by Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Matt Kemp and Washington Nationals shortstop Cristian Guzman.
Victorino is hitting .306 with 22 doubles, six triples, six home runs, 39 RBIs and 13 stolen bases.
Victorino did his best campaigning with his bat last night. His RBI single with two outs in the ninth inning lifted the Phillies over the Cincinnati Reds, 3-2.
The Phillies, the defending World Series champions, had gone all-out to get Victorino selected. 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 have been sitting in the press box lounge since Tuesday afternoon clicking nonstop on their computers for Victorino. Fans in the ballpark and people listening to the game on radio or watching on television have constantly been reminded to "Vote for Shane."
After Victorino delivered the game-winning last night, Chan Ho Park walked out of the bullpen wearing a two-sided billboard that read: "Vote Victorino."
"It means a lot to me," said Victorino, who went 2-for-4 last night. "It really means what these fans are about. From Day 1, when I got called up here in '05, I knew what I was coming into. I heard a lot of good things about these fans, and it only gets better and better every day."
Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell and Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle have made a bet on which state can get more votes for Victorino. If Pennsylvania has more votes, Lingle will send eight cases of pineapples to Rendell. If Hawaii wins, Rendell will send cheesesteaks.
The Tigers and the Phillies yesterday announced a "Vote Bran Torino" campaign, where the teams would work together to campaign for Brandon Inge, who won American League vote, and Victorino for the "Final Vote" to pick the last All-Star for each league.
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.
Victorino finished fifth in All-Star voting for the NL outfield before being chosen to vie for the final spot.
Phillies manager Charlie Manuel will lead the NL All-Stars in the Midsummer Classic.

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