Catcher Joe Mauer and first baseman Justin Morneau were named starters for the 81st All-Star Game, further cementing their place as two of the most feared hitters in the game.
It's also the first time since 1968 that two Twins have been voted starters in the midsummer classic. Harmon Killebrew and Rod Carew were voted starters that year.

``That's a really neat thing," Mauer said `` I'm excited and looking forward to it. Hopefully, we get another guy in."

Mauer is batting .303 - low for hsi lofty standards - with 3 homers and 34 RBI. Morneau is one of the most dangerous hitters in baseball right now, batting .342 with 17 homers and 54 RBI.

Both Mauer and Morneau are headed to their fourtth All-Star Game. Mauer is a three-time starter while Morneay had to fight off charges from the Yankees' Mark Teixeira and Migiel Cabrera of the Tigers.
Mauer clearly was the people's choice, leading all vote-getters with 5,372,606 votes, the third highest total of all time.

Carew (1975, 1977-78) is the only other Twin to lead all voe-getters..
And there's a chance for a third Twin, outfielder Delmon Young, to make the team. Young was named as one of five players who will be in a run-off type vote on www.mlb.com for the final spot on the roster. Voting ends at 3 p.m. on Thursday.

``He's been a big part of our success this year," Mauer said. ``I'd really like to see him go."
Young, batting .295 with 9 homers and 54 RBI, will compete with the Yankees' Nick Swisher, the Rangers' Michael Young, Kevin Youkilis of the Red Sox and Paul Konerko of the White Sox for the spot.
The players were informed of their selections about two hours before the start of Sunday's game against the Rays.