Originally published Thursday, July 7, 2005 at 12:00 AM

Podsednik, Oswalt get All-Star nods in Internet voting

Speedy outfielder Scott Podsednik of the Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros pitcher Roy Oswalt earned the final spots on the All-Star...

By The Associated Press

NEW YORK — Speedy outfielder Scott Podsednik of the Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros pitcher Roy Oswalt earned the final spots on the All-Star teams in Internet fan voting completed yesterday.

In a surprise finish, the unheralded Podsednik, who once played in the Mariners' organization, edged popular Yankees captain Derek Jeter for the 32nd roster spot on the American League squad. With Podsednik's teammates campaigning for him, the major-league leader in stolen bases also beat out Minnesota center fielder Torii Hunter, New York outfielder Hideki Matsui and Tampa Bay outfielder Carl Crawford.

Acquired from Milwaukee in a trade last offseason for fellow All-Star Carlos Lee, Podsednik is batting .286 with 46 runs as the leadoff hitter for the White Sox, who have the best record in baseball. He and Oswalt each made the All-Star team for the first time.

Oswalt is 11-7 with a 2.44 earned-run average after beating the Padres 4-1 Monday. He topped four other NL pitchers: San Diego's Trevor Hoffman, Arizona's Brandon Webb, and Philadelphia's Billy Wagner and Brett Myers — the first time fans had a chance to elect a pitcher to the All-Star game since 1934.

Astros general manager Tim Purpura said he voted online for Oswalt "a lot."

The White Sox also made a strong push for Podsednik the past few days. They had a laptop in the dugout before Tuesday's game for players to cast their votes. Employees wore shirts and pins encouraging fans to vote for Podsednik.

Podsednik's victory was announced during last night's home game against Tampa Bay, bringing a roar from the crowd.

There were 14.8 million votes cast online. Podsednik got 3,965,473, and Oswalt got 2,652,549. Totals for the other players were not released.

E-mail article Print Share

More Mariners

UPDATE - 7:15 PM
Mariners' Felix Hernandez has fun in spring debut, after scary start

UPDATE - 8:27 PM
Catcher Gregg Zaun retires after 16 seasons

Mariners' Ackley adjusting at second base

Carlos Beltran singles in first spring at-bat | Baseball

Sideline Chatter: And you thought there wasn't a Hornets in baseball

More Mariners headlines...