GOVERNORS MAKE FRIENDLY WAGER TO RALLY ALL-STAR VOTING SUPPORT FOR SHANE VICTORINO
Hawai`i vs. Pennsylvania: Who will show the most love for the Flyin Hawaiian?
July 7, 2009
The final spot for the National League All-Star roster is up for grabs, and the governors of Hawai`i and Pennsylvania have made a friendly wager to rally online voting support for Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino, also known as The Flyin Hawaiian.
Hawai`i Governor Linda Lingle and Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell agreed to the stakes early today. 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 Thursday, July 9 at 4:00 p.m. (EDT) 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 Hawai`i, then Governor Lingle will send eight cases of pineapples to Governor Rendell; and if Hawai`i casts more votes than Pennsylvania, then Governor Rendell will send eight cases of cheesesteaks to Governor Lingle.
“I am confident that Pennsylvanians will show their love for Victorino,” said Rendell. “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 Hawai`i 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,” said Governor Lingle.“
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 on Tuesday, July 14, by FOX Sports, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and Sportsnet HD and televised around the world by Major League Baseball International, with pregame ceremonies beginning at 8:00 p.m. (EDT)/ 7:00 p.m. (CDT).
