NEW YORK -- They played the All-Star Game in Houston in 2004, and the Rangers sent five players to the game. Infielders Michael Young, Hank Blalock and Alfonso Soriano, and pitchers Kenny Rogers and Francisco Cordero represented the largest All-Star contingent in Texas history. The Rangers hope to match that in two weeks, when the 79th All-Star Game is played in Yankee Stadium. They'll find out Sunday night, when the 2008 American and National League All-Star teams are unveiled on the 2008 MLB All-Star Game Selection Show presented by Chevy, which will be televised nationally on TBS at 1 p.m. CT. Young, second baseman Ian Kinsler, outfielders Josh Hamilton and Milton Bradley and pitcher Vicente Padilla have all had the kind of first half that gives them at least some hope of being selected. "It would be great," said Young, who has been to four straight All-Star Games and was the MVP in 2006. "I've always had a great experience at the All-Star Game, but I've always said that my goal is to have a big season, not a big first half." Every team must have one representative, and Hamilton is a lock for the Rangers because of the fans' voting. The top three outfielders in the fans' voting start for the AL, and Hamilton was second in the last update, more than a million votes ahead of fourth-place Vladimir Guerrero. Kinsler might join him in the starting lineup. After a slow start in the voting, he was closing ground on Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia. In the last update, Pedroia had about a 184,000-vote lead on Kinsler. "I'd love to be back here in two weeks," Kinsler said this week in the visiting clubhouse at Yankee Stadium. "It would be my first experience, and I assume the first experience is the best and the most exciting one. It's an experience that every ballplayer wants to experience. But it's tough to break into, especially if you're not from Boston or New York." To get to New York and be a part of the 32-player team, it's not just a matter of swaying the fans' opinion. It runs deeper than that. The fans only select the nine starters. The players have a bigger say. Last weekend, they voted on nine reserves -- one for each position, including designated hitter -- and eight pitchers. AL manager Terry Francona of the Red Sox picks five more, and often the manager's first priority is making sure all 14 teams are represented. Francona also picks the replacement for any player who can't go because of an injury, and Red Sox DH David Ortiz -- who leads at that position in the fans' voting -- has already confirmed he will not be able to play because of a wrist injury. The final spot on the team is selected by fans in the Monster 2008 All-Star Game Final Vote. After 31 players are selected, five more players are chosen for the Final Vote, and the winner gets the last spot on the team. Do the Rangers deserve five All-Star selections? Decide for yourself: Josh Hamilton: He has led the AL in RBIs almost from the beginning of the season. He is in the top five in home runs. He is in the top 10 in batting average, runs scored and slugging percentage. The fans knew what they were doing here. Hamilton, with his enormous power, should also be a popular choice for the State Farm Home Run Derby. Milton Bradley: Lingering and recurring physical issues have kept him out of 14 of the Rangers' first 85 games. But he still leads the league in on-base percentage and slugging percentage. He was on the ballot as an outfielder but has spent most of the season at DH. If the players don't vote him on the team, he should at least get strong consideration from Francona as a replacement for Ortiz. Ian Kinsler: If the players are paying attention and looking at numbers, Kinsler should be a lock. As of Thursday morning, Kinsler was leading the league in runs and hits, while he was second in batting average and fourth in stolen bases. Among AL second basemen, Placido Polanco, Mark Grudzielanek, Jose Lopez, Brian Roberts and Pedroia are all having solid seasons. Roberts may have to be the Orioles' representative, if not reliever George Sherrill. But Kinsler's season to this point is far superior to any of them. Michel Young: Derek Jeter commands the fans' adoration, which is why he will be the starting shortstop. Young commands high respect of players and managers, which is why he's been to four straight All-Star Games and could make it five in a row this season. His numbers aren't overwhelming, but as of Thursday morning he leads all AL shortstops in average, runs and RBIs. Defensively, he is second in fielding percentage and range factor and leads in double plays. Among the players, it should be between him and White Sox shortstop Orlando Cabrera to be Jeter's backup. Vicente Padilla: This is where the Rangers' hopes for a fifth player may fall short. Padilla merits consideration because he has 10 wins. But he has a 4.13 ERA. That's the second-highest ERA among the 10 AL pitchers who, as of Thursday morning, have at least nine wins. He also has the highest run-support average among any pitcher in the AL, although it's doubtful that many players will dig that deep in their research. But two other factors come into play. At least three pitchers must be relievers. Secondly, let's just say that Padilla, unlike Young, hasn't done much to endear himself to opposing players. That could be a big factor in the players' voting. Best guess is the Rangers send four to New York. --

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