Tonight, the All-Star Game gets underway in Chicago. Four Cardinals will start and three will be at the top of the lineup. Edgar Renteria will lead off, Jim Edmonds will hit second and Albert Pujols third. It’s the first time three players from the same team have ever occupied the one-two-three spot. Scott Rolen will start at third base and hit seventh. The last time the Cards fielded four all stars was in 1963 with Bill White, Julian Javier, Dick Groat and Ken Boyer. Woody Williams is the fifth Cardinal All-Star, but won’t start. Jason Schmidt has that duty. The Royals have two representatives, but only one has a chance to play. Mike Sweeney will suit up but is still bothered by nerve irritation at the base of his neck. Sweeney hasn’t played since June 18th. The Royals will work him out on Wednesday to see if he can play on Thursday as the Royals host Seattle. Closer Mike MacDougal, who is second in the A.L. with 24 saves, is the other Royal All-Star. The Cardinals and Royals are sending seven players to the All-Star Game. The only other time that was done was 1982, when the Royals sent George Brett, Hal McRae, Dan Quisenberry, Willie Wilson and Frank White and the Cardinals sent Ozzie Smith and Lonnie Smith.
