It's been seven years since Chipper Jones has earned the right to play in an All-Star Game. But if the Braves' third baseman remains healthy and continues his early torrid pace, there's no doubt that he'll have a chance to participate in this year's Midsummer Classic.
Balloting to determine this year's All-Star Game starters begins on Tuesday. Fans will once again have a chance to vote for Jones and any of their other favorite Braves players online at MLB.com and at ballot boxes located throughout every Major League stadium.
Fans can cast their votes for starters up to 25 times with the Monster 2008 All-Star Online Ballot at MLB.com and all 30 club sites until July 2 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Those fans wishing to cast their ballots at Turner Field can begin to do so on Friday through June 20.
While leading the Majors in hitting through the first few weeks of the season and continuing to find the success that has enabled him to be one of the game's most consistent offensive players since the middle of the 2006 season, Jones has certainly put himself in position to potentially earn his sixth career All-Star selection and first one since '01.
"I have never seen Chipper start a season the way that he's starting," said Braves right-hander John Smoltz, who has been Jones' teammate since 1993. "He's certainly carrying us."
Ironically, the only year from 1996-2001 that Jones didn't earn an All-Star selection was during his '99 MVP season. With this being the final year of Yankee Stadium, it would mean something for him to get a chance to experience another All-Star Game where his father's idol, Mickey Mantle, became a legend.
The 79th All-Star Game will be played on July 15, and it'll be the fourth held at Yankee Stadium and the eighth in New York City. The Yankees previously hosted the All-Star Game in 1939, '60 and '77; the Polo Grounds held the game in '34 and '42; Ebbets Field was the site in '49; and Shea Stadium hosted the '64 Midsummer Classic.
Starting rosters will be announced during the 2008 All-Star Game Selection Show presented by Chevrolet on TBS on July 6. Baseball fans around the world will then be able to select the final player on each team via the Monster 2008 All-Star Final Vote at MLB.com.
And the voting doesn't end there. Fans will have the opportunity to participate in the official voting for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player presented by Chevrolet at the All-Star Game via the Monster 2008 All-Star Game MVP vote at MLB.com.
The All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX and around the world by Major League Baseball International. ESPN Radio will provide exclusive national radio play-by-play, while MLB.com will offer extensive online coverage.
Last year, Brian McCann and Smoltz were the two Braves selected to play in the All-Star Game. It was the second straight All-Star selection for McCann, who's in just his third full big league season. The 24-year-old catcher has been selected as a reserve the past two years.
In his first full season as a National Leaguer, Braves first baseman Mark Teixeira will likely get plenty of attention from All-Star voters. He homered in three at-bats while playing in his lone All-Star Game appearance in 2005.
The other Braves infielders on this year's ballot include second baseman Kelly Johnson and shortstop Yunel Escobar. This is Escobar's first time on the ballot.
Coming off his first Gold Glove season, Jeff Francoeur will likely get some All-Star votes. Other Braves outfielders on this year's ballot are Mark Kotsay and Matt Diaz.
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