Prince Fielder selected as a starter in the All-Star game

DETROIT - The Detroit Tigers will be well-represented in the 83rd annual Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

Prince Fielder was selected as a starter at  first base for the American League. In his first year with the Tigers, the first baseman was voted in by the fans to start the game.

It will be Fielder's third start and fourth appearance in the mid-summer classic. The Tigers slugger is hiting .294 with 12 home runs and 52 RBI.

Justin Verlander, the reigning Cy Young and MVP winner makes his fifth All-Star roster. The Tigers ace is 8-5 with a 2.69 ERA. He leads the league with 121 strikeouts.

Miguel Cabrera missed out on being voted a starter. The Rangers Adrian Beltre got the nod from the fans, but Cabrera will appear in his third consecutive All-Star Game as a Tiger. It is the seventh selection in his career.

Reliever Joaquin Benoit received public backing from manager Jim Leyland, who thought he should make the team. He was left off the roster along with center fielder Austin Jackson, who many believed was a lock for the game.

Jackson's .324 batting average is fourth in the American League.

The All-Star Game is July 10 in Kansas City.