CINCINNATI — St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols and St. Louis native Ryan Howard were the top two vote-getters in the inaugural Home Run Derby fan poll, which will be used as leverage to encourage participants in this year’s derby at Busch Stadium.

Pujols, who has participated in the derby once before, and Howard, a past winner, were Nos. 1 and 2 in the fan vote that was attached to this year’s All-Star ballot.

The vote is not binding for the players, but MLB hopes it will be convincing.

The derby will be held on All-Star Monday, July 13, at Busch Stadium.

The top three vote-getters for the NL were all selected to the All-Star roster. They are:

1. Albert Pujols, STL
2. Ryan Howard, PHI
3. Prince Fielder, MIL

In the American League, second-year star Evan Longoria of Tampa Bay received the most votes. Josh Hamilton, who put on a show at Yankee Stadium last year, and Justin Morneau, who won the derby a year ago at Yankee Stadium, rounded out the league’s top three. All three have been selected for the AL’s All-Star roster, as well.

-30-