Peter Diana, Post-Gazette Freddy Sanchez will be playing in his first All-Star Game. Click photo for larger image. More Coverage: 1st-time All-Stars fill National League roster 2006 All-Star Game Rosters Smizik: Sanchez continues to erase doubts For All-Star Game players, best hotels, galas, and goodies of all sorts All-Star Moments: July 10, 2001, 72nd Game at Safeco Field, Seattle

Jason Bay knew his place yesterday.

Sure, the Pirates' left fielder finished first in the fan voting among National League outfielders.

Bay, though, knew his real place yesterday was secondary.

That's because surging Freddy Sanchez also made the National League All-Star team -- and that had taken some doing.

"I'm more thrilled for Freddy," Bay said. "Given the situation I was in, I knew there was a good chance I was going to make it. I called my wife and told her that Freddy had made it, and I said, 'Oh, yeah, by the way, I did, too.' "

Bay broke into the top three among outfielders two weeks ago -- the top three outfielders start -- then took the lead in the voting a week ago.

He finished second overall in the National League behind St. Louis first baseman Albert Pujols in the National League voting. Pujols received 3,418,555 votes; Bay had 2,635,930, which made him sixth overall.

"I'm thrilled," Bay said. "Three years in the big leagues and another All-Star Game. It's unbelievable. And to start an All-Star Game. ... I told my mom [Kelly] the other day and she started crying, so it's pretty cool. But I am happy for Freddy."

Everybody seemed happy for Sanchez yesterday.

Relegated to utility status when the season began because of the presence of veteran Joe Randa at third base, Sanchez became the regular in early May after Randa went down with a foot injury.

His foot in the door because of that, Sanchez barged through the door.

He hit .380 in June and currently leads the National League in hitting with a .363 batting average after his three-hit game yesterday.

"It feels awesome. It feels great," Sanchez said. "It's an unbelievable feeling -- you know, coming out of spring training and not knowing how many at-bats I'd even get this year. And knowing my role was as a utility player, it's unbelievable. I can't describe it.

"I have to thank the fans of Pittsburgh. To have the most write-in votes, it just goes to show you what kind of sports town and baseball town this really is. Without them, I wouldn't have been able to get in.

"I also have to give thanks to the front office for all the promoting it did, so thanks to the organization. It's awesome."

Sanchez led baseball with 856,685 write-in votes, which placed him fifth among NL third basemen.

Houston manager Phil Garner, who will direct the NL All-Stars, selected Sanchez with the help of Major League Baseball officials.

"Freddy's the special thing about today," Pirates manager Jim Tracy said. "The manager of the All-Star team picked him."

"It's real rewarding," Sanchez said. "Anyone who knows me knows I'm not a real cocky person, but in this game you have to have confidence. You get that utility label and that's all you are. It's hard to break.

"But I always felt, given the opportunity, I could do some things. I got my shot and I tried to run with it. Joe Randa's been one of my biggest supporters. He's been nothing but awesome to me. I can't say enough about the guy. Great teammate. Great friend."

"Very well deserved," Randa said of Sanchez's selection. "I think it's a lesson for a lot of guys in the big leagues. He got an opportunity and he took advantage of his opportunity and he played his butt off.

"I think everyone is really excited for him. I'm ecstatic for him. I keep pushing him. The sky's the limit. When you're doing well, you just keep going and don't be satisfied with where you are. He's got a good attitude about it. I'm extremely happy for him."

Sanchez is the first Pirates third baseman to make the All-Star team since Ed Sprague in 1999.

Bay is the first Pirate to be voted a starter since center fielder Andy Van Slyke in 1993.

Unlike Sanchez, Bay kind of limped toward the All-Star voting finish line. Before his two-hit day yesterday, he was in a 13-for-75 slide and still has only one home run and five RBIs in his past 19 games.

"It's been a constant struggle, no question," Bay said. "There have been numerous times I could have helped the team. With all this All-Star stuff, it makes it even tougher, but that's the nature of the beast.

"I think I've handled it pretty well. It might look like it [bothered him], but I would say no. I'm still learning to [manage] my time and learning how to handle things. I struggled at the beginning of the year and now it's just another rut."

Bay will become just the second Pirate to start an All-Star Game in Pittsburgh. Third baseman Bob Elliott started the 1944 All-Star Game at Forbes Field.

Former Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon, also a Detroit coach, managed Bay and Sanchez.

"I think it's wonderful," he said. "I am tremendously excited and very proud of both of them. These are kids we nourished and brought to the big leagues, and I'm happy for them."