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UPDATE 5 p.m. Friday, July 10:

See you in St. Louis, Shane!

Shane Victorino, the Maui-born Philadelphia Phillies outfielder joins Detroit Tigers third baseman Brandon Inge at  Tuesday’s All-Star game after  a record-breaking voting campaign.

Victorino received 15.6 million votes and was followed by San Francisco’s Pablo Sandoval, Arizona’s Mark Reynolds, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Matt Kemp and Washington’s Cristian Guzman.

Victorino was picked in fan voting for the final spot on the National League roster for the Major League Baseball’s 80th All-Star Game, which will be played Tuesday at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

His 15.6 million Internet votes eclipsed Evan Longoria’s record-setting 9 million in 2008. Fans smashed Final Vote records by casting 68.6 million votes at MLB.com.

“It means a lot to me,” Victorino said. “It really means what these fans are about. From Day 1, when I got called up here in ‘05, I knew what I was coming into. I heard a lot of good things about these fans, and it only gets better and better every day.”

Victorino said he appreciated the support from across the country, but especially his home state and adopted state.

“I am so honored and appreciative of the passion that everyone has shown to make this dream come true, especially with the number of votes cast. It’s just unbelievable,” he said. “I was surprised a little, but I knew this was an opportunity for me to really see and understand what it’s really like to be a Phillie. It really showed by what has happened. I’m very appreciative.”

The Phillies outfielder went door-to-door in South Philadelphia with Mayor Michael A. Nutter to campaign for votes this and prompted a friendly bet between the Pennsylvania and Hawaii governors.  

Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell and Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle had a wager on which state can get more votes for Victorino. If Pennsylvania has more votes, Lingle will send eight cases of pineapples to Rendell. If Hawaii wins, Rendell will send cheesesteaks.

Victorino is hitting .306 with 22 doubles, six triples, six home runs, 39 RBIs and 13 stolen bases. He is the fourth Hawaiian to be selected for the All-Star Game following Ron Darling, Sid Fernandez and Charlie Hough.

No word yet on whether Lingle will be dining on cheesesteaks or Rendell will be munching on pineapple …

MEDIA RELEASE 

The final spot for the National League All-Star roster is up for grabs, and the governors of Hawaii and Pennsylvania have made a friendly wager to rally online voting support for Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino, also known as The Flyin Hawaiian. 

Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle and Pennsylvania Gov. Edward G. Rendell have agreed to the stakes. To win, one state must vote for Victorino more than the other. 

Voting for the 2009 All-Star Game Sprint Final Vote takes place until 10 a.m. Thursday, July 9 (Hawaii time) on www.mlb.com or www.phillies.com. 

Playing off Victorino’s team number (“8″), the losing state’s governor will send a taste of that state’s local flavor to the winning governor. 

If Pennsylvania casts more votes than Hawaii, Lingle will send eight cases of pineapples to Rendell; and if Hawaii casts more votes than Pennsylvania, Rendell will send eight cases of cheesesteaks to Lingle. 

“I am confident that Pennsylvanians will show their love for Victorino,” Rendell said. “I am more than happy to show my support for Shane Victorino and the world champion Philadelphia Phillies. Let’s get him voted onto the All-Star team.” 

“All the people of Hawaii are proud of our local Maui hero Shane Victorino. We are excited to do our part and show the baseball world our ‘aloha’ as we help get the final All-Star votes he needs to make the 2009 roster,” Lingle said. 

The Competition 

There are currently five players on the All-Star ballot for the final roster spot: Cristian Guzman of the Washington Nationals; Matt Kemp of the Los Angeles Dodgers; Mark Reynolds of the Arizona Diamondbacks; Pablo Sandoval of the San Francisco Giants; and Shane Victorino of the Philadelphia Phillies. 

The 80th Major League Baseball All-Star Game will be televised nationally Tuesday, July 14, by FOX Sports.

Shane Victorino speaking to the over 300 Vulcan supporters.

Photos by Rick Ogata, story by Miranda Ogata/Special to Hawaii247.org

Big Island sports fans got a rare treat Sunday, Jan. 18, and it had nothing to do with the NFL conference winners Cardinals or Steelers.

Shane Victorino, a Maui native and member of the 2008 World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies, stopped by the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel to sign autographs and have his photo snapped with a long line of patient fans.

Victorino with two young fans Devon Hirata (left) and Cody Min.

Victorino also talked to the UH-Hilo Vulcan baseball team and its supporters about the dedication and perserverance required to acheive his goal of becoming a Major League player, as well as his World Series experiences.

Victorino touched on many aspects of his routine that can be applied to other areas of life, including getting up at 6 a.m. to train and do his workouts before heading to the baseball field. These qualities are critical to success in any endeavor, he said, not just baseball.

Victorino signing a Philadelphia Phillies World Series jersey for a lucky fan.

His father, Mike, also addressed the crowd of dinner guests, giving a parent’s view of the struggles Shane went through to reach his goals. He noted the best thing parents, coaches and fans can do is support players and their teams, for without that support in the bad times and the good, players have a difficult time to become the best they can be.

Auctioneer J.E. Orozco holding an autographed Shane Victorino World Series jersey which eventually sold for $700 to a lucky bidder.

MEDIA RELEASE

Philadelphia Phillies Gold Glove centerfielder Shane Victorino will be the featured speaker at the Annual University of Hawaii at Hilo Baseball Dinner/Auction scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 18 at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel.

The all-star athlete from St. Anthony’s High School on Maui played a major role in helping lead the Phillies to the 2008 Major League World Series Championship.

Vulcan head coach Joey Estrella is excited about having Victorino speak at the fundraiser.

“Vulcan Baseball is truly honored to have Shane join us that evening knowing how busy he is following his outstanding season and World Series triumph,” Estrella said. “I’m also excited for our players to have a chance to listen to a true major league all-star.

“Two years ago our baseball student-athletes were honored to have UHH’s own major league star, Tyler Yates of the Pittsburgh Pirates, join us. This year our players will look forward to meeting Shane.”

Victorino’s older brother, Mike Jr., played for the Vulcans from 1995-1997.

This fundraising event is the springboard to open the 2009 season.

“The evening is extremely important to Vulcan Baseball not only from the standpoint of introducing our new roster to our loyal baseball boosters but from the point of raising critical dollars to augment our operating budget,” Estrella said.

This season UHH will be playing as members of the NCAA Division II and Pacific West Conference.

The silent auction and no-host cocktails will begin at 5 p.m. with the buffet dinner to start at 6 p.m. A live auction will also be held.

Tickets are $60 per person, which includes two Vulcan baseball game tickets.

Reservations for individuals or corporate tables of eight may be made by contacting Estrella at 974-7700 or josephe@hawaii.edu.