Former Lion Willingham On All-star Ballot

Apr. 23, 2012

Michelle Eubanks, UNA, at media@una.edu, 256.765.4392 or 256.606.2033

NEW YORK -- Former University of North Alabama All-American and current hot-hitting Minnesota Twins outfielder Josh Willingham is on this year's American League All-Star ballot, which was revealed on Thursday afternoon in Kansas City. Willingham entered Thursday night's game against the Yankees tied for the AL lead in homers with five, along with a team-leading nine RBIs. He also has hit safely in all 13 games this season for the longest current hitting streak in the Major Leagues. "I try to out there with a simple approach and look for something good to hit," Willingham said. "I've hit a few of them hard, and the ones that I've hit hard have found some holes, so I think that's key. "I've also pulled all my homers, and generally when you hit the ball hard and you pull, it goes out. So hopefully, if I keep squaring up the ball and getting it into the air, it'll keep going out of the ballpark." The online ballot will launch on Friday. Fans can cast their votes for starters up to 25 times at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- online or using a mobile device -- using the 2012 All-Star Game MLB.com Ballot until Thursday, June 28, at 10:59 p.m. CT. Willingham, a Florence, Ala., native, played at North Alabama from 1998-2000 and helped lead the Lions to the 1999 NCAA Division II World Series.