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All-Star Idols: Wacky Voting Fills Final Slots

Hart, Longoria are in after crazy campaigns by fans

By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 11, 2008 8:34 AM CDT
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(Newser) – With one spot left in each league after the All-Star rosters were populated last week, it was time for America to do what it does best: inspire local fans to vote dozens, even hundreds of times. Milwaukee plastered hearts everywhere, Yankees fans slapped on fake mustaches, and Philadelphia staged a voting marathon. The New York Times reveals what worked.

In the NL, the "I Hart New York" campaign gathered around 8 million votes for the Brewers' Corey Hart, boosting him above David Wright (with a lackluster "Vote Wright Now" slogan) and Pat Burrell (for whom die-hard Phillies fans spent three days tirelessly clicking). In the AL, Tama Bay's Evan Longoria won with 9 million votes; Longoria T-shirts proved more effective (though less awesome) than the faux 'staches donned by Jason Giambi fans.

Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria secured the last spot on the American League All-Star team by racking up 9 million votes in the online balloting.
Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria secured the last spot on the American League All-Star team by racking up 9 million votes in the online balloting.   (AP Photo)
New York Yankees' Jason Giambi came in third in American League balloting, despite a recent hot streak and an extensive Support the 'Stache campaign.
New York Yankees' Jason Giambi came in third in American League balloting, despite a recent hot streak and an extensive "Support the 'Stache" campaign.   (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte, left, stands beside Mike Mussina, who wears a fake mustache in support of teammate Jason Giambi, during the national anthem before the Yankees faced the Rays.
Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte, left, stands beside Mike Mussina, who wears a fake mustache in support of teammate Jason Giambi, during the national anthem before the Yankees faced the Rays.   (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
The Mets' David Wright is beloved in New York, but apparently did not inspire enough of his fans to obsessively vote and re-vote for him in the balloting for the last place in the NL All-Star team.
The Mets' David Wright is beloved in New York, but apparently did not inspire enough of his fans to obsessively vote and re-vote for him in the balloting for the last place in the NL All-Star team.   (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek)
Philadelphia Phillies fans stayed up for days, using computers at Citizens Bank Park to vote tens of thousands of times for Pat Burrell to go to the All-Star game. Their efforts were in vain.
Philadelphia Phillies fans stayed up for days, using computers at Citizens Bank Park to vote tens of thousands of times for Pat Burrell to go to the All-Star game. Their efforts were in vain.   (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Milwaukee Brewers' Corey Hart was the final National League player added to the All-Star roster, after he won the popular vote with around 8 million votes.
Milwaukee Brewers' Corey Hart was the final National League player added to the All-Star roster, after he won the popular vote with around 8 million votes.   (AP Photo/Jeff Hanisch)
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COMMENTS
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Vote doesn't correspond with talent
Bleacher Report

Wright: I don't want three days off
Newsday

How did Evan make it?
St. Petersburg Times (Russia)

 
Jermaine Dye • Jason Giambi • voting • David Wright • mustache • baseball • Pat Burrell • Evan Longoria • Corey Hart • MLB All-Star Game

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