Selection an All-Star first for Weiss, Braves

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The Atlanta Braves have never had a shortstop voted onto the All-Star team.

Walt Weiss had gone 10 seasons without a sniff of the Mid-Summer Classic.

What a perfect fit.

Weiss will join third baseman Chipper Jones to comprise the starting left side of the National League infield next Tuesday, when the 69th All-Star Game is played in Denver. St. Louis first baseman Mark McGwire was the league's top vote-getter with 3.38 million votes, according to final NL balloting released Monday.

Rounding out the rest of the lineup are New York catcher Mike Piazza, Houston second baseman Craig Biggio and outfielders Tony Gwynn of San Diego, Barry Bonds of San Francisco and Larry Walker of Colorado. American League starters will be announced this afternoon, with pitchers to follow on Wednesday.

Only once, in 1970, have the Braves had two players voted to start in the All-Star Game, with Hank Aaron and Rico Carty sharing the outfield with Willie Mays that year.

Former Braves shortstop Jeff Blauser started in 1997, but was substituting for the injured Barry Larkin of Cincinnati.

"The only way you feel you belong is if the fans want you," said Jones, who made the team for the third time. He started in 1996 for the injured Matt Williams.

Weiss, who only once finished as high as second in the voting (1989 in Oakland), drew 1.2 million votes to beat out Larkin by 162,389.

Weiss was with ailing son Brody Monday night and unavailable for comment, but around the league there was an appreciation for an accomplishment made under duress.

"For this to happen in a year of crisis for his family is rather ironic," said Colorado owner Jerry McMorris, a Weiss fan from his Rockies days. "Maybe this can be the start of a positive period for him. Most important, maybe Brody can start to get better."

By Thomas Stinson, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

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