ALL-STAR NOTEBOOK \ PNC Park

Additions: Twins rookie pitcher Francisco Liriano was named to the American League squad Monday to replace White Sox pitcher Jose Contreras. Liriano is 10-1, with an ERA of 1.83. He finished second to White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski in the Internet balloting for the AL's final roster spot. National League manager Phil Garner named Cardinals shortstop David Eckstein to his squad to replace Mets shortstop Jose Reyes. Garner considered adding Pirates shortstop Jack Wilson, but Wilson flew to California on Sunday for the three-day break.Something's got to give: The American League hasn't lost an All-Star Game since 1996. The National League has won all four All-Star Games played in Pittsburgh (1944, 1959, 1974 and 1994). The NL leads the overall series 40-34-2. The 2002 game in Milwaukee ended in a 7-7 tie after 11 innings. The AL's winning streak began in 1997 at Jacobs Field when Sandy Alomar's two-run homer lifted the AL to a 3-1 victory. The AL has a 14-3-1 record in the past 18 games.Managers: Ozzie Guillen and Phil Garner are making their managerial debuts in the All-Star Game. Both were selected to three All-Star Games as players.
Tying a record: AL catcher Ivan Rodriguez will tie Yogi Berra's record of 11 All-Star starts. While a Ranger, Rodriguez started nine straight games from 1993-2001. Now a Tiger, he also played in 2004. In the 1994 game at Three Rivers Stadium, Rodriguez caught all 10 innings for the AL in an 8-7 loss. Rodriguez says he admires Twins catcher Joe Mauer's start (.378 batting average) but he's not sure a catcher can win a batting title. "Squat down for nine innings, it's tough. It's a lot of work," Rodriguez said of catching. "Before the game, you have to do a lot of things, talk to the pitchers. You have to put hitting away." Mauer agrees. "It's tough. You go 1-for-3 and your average goes down. To be a catcher physically wears you down. You get a couple of foul tips, then you lead off the next inning and you can't feel your hand. That doesn't help. But I love that part of being in control, to call pitches."And then there were three: Although six New York Mets were selected, only three will be in the NL's lineup: third baseman David Wright, outfielder Carlos Beltran and catcher Paul Lo Duca. Pitchers Pedro Martinez and Tom Glavine and shortstop Jose Reyes have been replaced. The White Sox lead the AL with six players: first basemen Jim Thome and Paul Konerko, catcher Pierzynski, outfielder Jermaine Dye and pitchers Mark Buehrle and Bobby Jenks.
Tom Williams