A-Vote: Alex Rodriguez Storms Past Michael Young in All-Star Voting

While Alex Rodriguez remains more than one million votes behind Tampa Bay Rays' Evan Longoria, he isn't in third anymore.  With more than 1.1 million votes, Rodriguez looks to make the All-Star team if he doesn't start.  It will be close.

Rodriguez hasn't missed an All-Star game since 1999, when Nomar Garciaparra (Red Sox), Derek Jeter (Yankees), and Omar Vizquel (Indians) filled up all of the shortstop spots.

Just like this year, in 1999, Rodriguez played a shortened season, only in 129 games as his average was a low .285 to end the year as well.

This season, there is a lot more to it then just missing April baseball.  Unless you are coming out of a comma, you know about the admitted steroid use in the offseason during his Texas Ranger years from 2001-2003.

Rodriguez is still given support by his die hard fans and by most New York Yankee fans through this time.

With his recent hot-bat in hot-lanta against the Braves, Rodriguez has dug his average out of the gutter somewhat, from .207 to .223 in the last three games.

He also connected with his 10th home run of the year, this one a monumental one as it tied Reggie Jackson for 11th on the all-time home run list with 563 blasts.

Also, with clutch at-bats, Rodriguez has six RBI in the past two games, giving him 34 on the year.

With one week left in voting, it would take a miracle to catch Longoria, but it looks like A-Rod will be suiting up for the game in a reserve role.

A reserve role at the 80th MLB All-Star game in St. Louis, after what he has been through, I think that would be a personal victory.

Up next for Rodriguez and the Yankees, a subway series at new Citi-Field in Flushing, NY against the cross town rival Mets.

After that, a homestand against A-Rod's former team, the Seattle Mariners.