Konerko Wins All-Star Game Final Vote
CHICAGO (CBS) White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko is officially an All-Star after being voted in by fans in Major League Baseball's Final Vote.
Konerko won the final American League roster spot while Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino won the final spot on the National League team. Both led wire-to-wire since voting opened Sunday.
"I'm definitely flattered by it," Konerko said. "It's cool. It's nice to be going. I'm glad I'm going home. I was going to go out to California -- we have a beach house out there -- and I was going to go there had I not made it, but it will be nice to go to my own house and sleep in my own bed."
Konerko received more than 8.4 million votes to beat out Victor Martinez of the Detroit Tigers, Alex Gordon of the Kansas City Royals, Adam Jones of the Baltimore Orioles and Ben Zobrist of the Tampa Bay Rays.
To get Konerko to the All-Star Game, the White Sox launched an intense campaign entitled "PaulStar". The campaign included ticket incentives, help from the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks and even a plane flying a PaulStar banner around Chicago.
"You never play long enough that going to the All-Star Game is not a big deal," Konerko said. "It's always a big deal."
Konerko will join teammate Carlos Quentin at the All-Star Game Tuesday in Phoenix.
