=== Bonds is the leading vote-getter in early NL balloting ===

New York, NY (My Sportsbook) - San Francisco Giants outfielder Barry Bonds is the leading vote-getter in the National League in early balloting results for the 2003 All-Star Game.

The five-time NL MVP has 238,782 votes and is seeking his 10th election as a starter for the National League. He is the only player in Major League history to win five MVP awards.

Bonds is hitting .290 with 12 home runs and 25 RBI in 41 games for the Giants this season. Despite aggravating a chronic case of tendinitis in his right knee that flared up while attempting a catch last Friday against Colorado, the slugger returned to the Giants' lineup on Tuesday night to help San Francisco beat Arizona, 4-3.

Bonds holds the single-season record for home runs with 73 in 2001 and is coming off a season in which he hit .370 and won the batting title.

The other NL position leaders are catcher Ivan Rodriguez of the Florida Marlins, first baseman Jeff Bagwell and second baseman Jeff Kent of the Houston Astros, shortstop Edgar Renteria and third baseman Scott Rolen of the St. Louis Cardinals and outfielders Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs and Vladimir Guerrero of the Montreal Expos.

Fan balloting will determine the eight starting position players in each league and the designated hitter in the American League. A separate ballot of managers, coaches and players will be conducted during the final week of fan balloting to select an additional nine position players in the AL, eight position players in the NL and eight pitchers in each league.

The two All-Star managers, Mike Scioscia (AL) and Dusty Baker (NL), and MLB will select five more AL players and seven NL players.

Fans will have the opportunity to select the final position player for each league's 32-man roster.

The 74th All-Star Game will by played on July 15 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago.