Blue Jays' Bautista sets all-star votes record

Baseball fans have rallied behind Jose Bautista in a big way -- sending the Toronto Blue Jay to the all-star game and the top of the American League lineup.

Bautista netted a record-breaking 7,454,753 fan votes for the honour, beating the previous record of just over 6,069,688 set by Ken Griffey Jr. in 1994.

"It's crazy," he said before Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies. "It's a good feeling, something I'll never forget. Hopefully I can keep improving every year."

Based on that record-setting support, the Jays' home-run slugger and outfielder will lead a lineup that includes Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Robinson Cano and Curtis Granderson of the New York Yankees.

The only other Jay tapped for the all-star team is manager John Farrell.

Bautista, 30, is the first Blue Jay to be voted to the game since first baseman Carlos Delgado in 2003.

Despite his strong record, Bautista did not garner enough votes to make the all-star starting lineup in 2010. He went as a reserve instead -- a shortfall some blamed on lack of exposure to U.S. fans. The Dominican-born right fielder has been with the Jays since 2008, following stints with teams including the Baltimore Orioles and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

"I got a lot of votes from different territories so it's a good feeling," Bautista said. "People are recognizing that you're doing well and for me it's been in three different territories, the United States and Canada and the Dominican. I can't even describe how good that feels."

Last year, Bautista's 54 home runs set a Jays record. He was also the home-run champion, not only for the American League, but the entire Majors.

This year's all-star game will be played July 12 in Phoenix, Arizona. The league that wins gets home-field advantage in the season-ending championship World Series.

Philadelphia aces Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels are part of the National League pitching staff. The Phillies have the best record in the majors.

The Milwaukee Brewers had three players picked to start for the National League -- Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun and Rickie Weeks.

With files from Canadian Press

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  Toronto Blue Jays' Jose Bautista prepares to bat during eighth inning MLB baseball action against the Philadelphia Phillies in Toronto Sunday, July 3, 2011. (Darren Calabrese / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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  Toronto Blue Jays' Jose Bautista follows through on a single during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees Wednesday, May 25, 2011, at Yankee Stadium in New York. The Blue Jays lost the game the game 7-3. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)