ith a week to go before the polls close, Nomar Garciaparra closed the gap again on Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter in the latest balloting for the American League All-Star team. But apparently for fans in Cleveland, in a perfect world every AL starter would be an Indian.
Four Cleveland players lead in the voting at their positions: first baseman Jim Thome, second baseman Roberto Alomar, and outfielders Manny Ramirez and Kenny Lofton.
Four other Indians rank no lower than runner-up, including ex-Sox outfielder Wilfredo Cordero at DH, despite being on the 60-day disabled list with a fractured wrist.
Sandy Alomar is second at catcher, Travis Fryman is second at third base, and David Justice is fourth among the outfielders, trailing the three starters.
Indians shortstop Omar Vizquel, meanwhile, is third at his position, trailing Jeter by just over 55,000 votes.
Garciaparra, who last week was nearly 15,000 votes behind Jeter, is now within 7,344.
The Cleveland showing can be attributed to several factors. The Indians have drawn nearly 1.6 million fans, most in the majors. They have the best record in baseball, and their lineup is stocked with former All-Stars at every position. Also, their fans are encouraged to vote early and often.
