NEW YORK — After topping the major leagues during the first half of the season as they seek their first title in more than a century, the Chicago Cubs dominated the rosters for next week’s All-Star Game.
The Cubs became the first team since the 1976 Cincinnati Reds’ Big Red Machine to have five players voted as All-Star starters, and seven Chicago players in all were picked Tuesday for the July 12 game at San Diego’s Petco Park.
Chicago’s entire infield was voted in — first baseman Anthony Rizzo, second baseman Ben Zobrist, shortstop Addison Russell, and third baseman Kris Bryant — along with center fielder Dexter Fowler, who hopes to recover from a hamstring strain that has sidelined him since June 18. The only other team to start four infielders was the 1963 St. Louis Cardinals.
‘‘It’ll be really cool starting the game and throwing to those guys in San Diego,’’ Rizzo said.
Rizzo led NL players with 3.2 million votes, and Zobrist won the closest race by finishing 88 votes ahead of Washington’s Daniel Murphy. Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester were selected for the National League pitching staff.
‘‘Make sure you slow it down and enjoy every second of it,’’ Cubs manager Joe Maddon recalled telling his All-Stars.
The game will feature 11 first-time starters, the most since 2005. ?Twelve of the 17 elected starters are 26 or younger.
‘‘It should be a little more special,’’ said Bryant, who attended the University of San Diego for three years.
Kansas City catcher Salvador Perez led all players with nearly 4.97 million votes.
Five Orioles were picked for the AL roster. Beyond Manny Machado, catcher Matt Wieters, and outfielder Mark Trumbo are among the reserves, and Brad Brach and Zach Britton are on the pitching staff.
