SEATTLE — Bret Boone learned about the lineup and laughed. On an American League All-Star squad of thick-necked sluggers, the slight second baseman had been selected to bat cleanup.

Sean Casey greets Mike Sweeney of the Royals. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        Consider the incongruity. Imagine the teasing. The first impression of Boone is that he is built like the batboy. Some guys, it seems, require a second look.

        This is Boone's second tour of duty with the Seattle Mariners, his second All-Star Game, but the first time anyone has confused him for Mark McGwire. He has reached the All-Star break with 22 home runs, 84 RBI and a .324 batting average — numbers nearly as good as his best full season with the Cincinnati Reds.

        “I'm still a free swinger,” Boone said Monday. “But this year I've stayed with the same approach. In years past, if I had a bad game or a couple of bad games, I would change things. Now, I'm more trusting that I'm doing the right thing.”

        With 63 wins in their first 87 games, the Mariners have done virtually everything right this season. Their success is reflected in the presence of eight Seattle players in tonight's All-Star Game at Safeco Field, with four Mariners in the starting lineup.

AT A GLANCE

• 8 p.m. today EDT • at Seattle • TV: Fox NL LINEUP RF Luis Gonzalez, Ariz 1B Todd Helton, Col LF Barry Bonds, SF CF Sammy Sosa, Cubs DH Larry Walker, Col C Mike Piazza, NY Mets 3B Chipper Jones, Atl 2B Jeff Kent, SF SS Rich Aurilia, SF P Curt Schilling, Ariz AL LINEUP CF Ichiro Suzuki, Sea CF Alex Rodriguez, Tex LF Manny Ramirez, Bos SS Bret Boone, Sea RF Juan Gonzalez, Cle 1B John Olerud, Sea DH Edgar Martinez, Sea 3B Cal Ripken, Bal C Ivan Rodriguez, Tex P Roger Clemens, NY Yanks

        No All-Star squad has been so top-heavy with one team's representatives since baseball's first expansion in 1961. Few All-Star Games have been played with more intriguing subplots: Mets manager Bob by Valentine vs. Marlins slugger Cliff Floyd; Roger Clemens vs. Mike Piazza; Curt Schilling vs. Japan.

        After their week-long debate about what promises were made and what lies were told, Valentine added Floyd to the National League roster on Sunday. Asked to anticipate their first conversation, Valentine was careful not to further inflame the issue.

        “Probably "Congratulations, welcome, let's go get 'em,'” Valentine said. “What do you think I'm going to say — what would make a good story?”

        New York Yankees pitcher Roger Clemens will start for the American League. New York Mets catcher Mike Piazza will be batting sixth for the National League. The two stars have not faced each other since Clemens flung a bat fragment in Piazza's path during the World Series. Piazza is advised not to dig in too deep in the batter's box.

        “I've faced Mike before,” Clemens said. “Looking at the lineup, I've got to face a lot of guys anyway. He is not the only one I have to worry about ... Hopefully, there will be nobody on.”

        Arizona's Curt Schilling will start for the National League. Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki will lead off for the American League. The Mariners' celebrated rookie was a seven-time batting champion in Japan, and is quickly becoming a bi-continental icon.

        “Yeah, I want to strike him out,” Schilling said. “I'm pretty sure that every TV in Japan will be tuned into the game. One of the things a veteran pitcher told me a long time ago is that as an opposing pitcher, you have the ability to shut up a stadium. I have the ability to shut up a country for a few minutes.”

        The All-Star Game counts for nothing in the standings, yet the results resound. Asked about the importance of winning Monday, several players cited Pete Rose's 1970 collision with Ray Fosse — a collision that occurred before most of today's All-Stars were born.

&Complete All-Star coverage from Associated Press

Rijo pitches 3 scoreless innings Casey hopes Reds remain intact SULLIVAN: Cameron emerges as star All-Star Game rife with rivalries Gonzalez wins home run derby Looking into All-Star crystal ball

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