Nationals and Rangers Partner on "Third Base Ticket" to Elect Ryan Zimmerman and Michael Young in 2010 All-Star Game Final Vote Balloting

The Washington Nationals and Texas Rangers today announced they are joining forces to help return their respective third basemen to the 2010 All-Star Game. Nationals fans are encouraged to cast their ballots not only for Ryan Zimmerman in the 2010 All-Star Final Vote sponsored by Sprint, but also for Rangers third baseman Michael Young as the "Third Base Ticket." Zimmerman and Young are one of the five players in contention for the 34th and final spot on the National and American League teams, respectively. Those All-Stars are being selected through on-line fan balloting on nationals.com and mlb.com. The Nationals and Rangers will promote the "Third Base Ticket" during games at each ballpark (the Rangers host the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday and Wednesday nights), on their television and radio broadcasts, and on-line until Thursday's deadline. The on-line All-Star Game Final Vote ballot on both texasrangers.com and nationals.com will be titled "Saving the Best for Last" since both players are fifth alphabetically among the five final vote candidates in each league. In addition, both Zimmerman and Young have taped spots that will run on the video boards at Nationals Park and Rangers Ballpark in Arlington to encourage voting for each other. There is no limit to how many times fans may vote online. Additionally fans can vote on their mobile phones. Mobile voting is exclusive to Sprint, Nextel, and Boost subscribers. From these mobile phones, fans can text N5 to 1122 to cast votes for Zimmerman. Standard messaging rates and fees apply, and fans are asked to check with their carriers. Zimmerman is seeking his second consecutive All-Star appearance. The reigning Silver Slugger and Gold Glove winner is batting .286 with 14 home runs, 44 RBIs and a team-high 49 runs scored, which is tied for the National League lead among third basemen.