ARLINGTON, Texas -- For the first time since he was a 19-year-old rookie just up from the minors, Ivan Rodriguez is not going to the All-Star Game.

Rodriguez fell 18,519 votes shy of making his record-setting 10th straight All-Star start at catcher. New York's Jorge Posada was voted in by fans and AL manager Joe Torre chose Minnesota's A.J. Pierzynski as the backup.

"It's going to be strange because I've been there every year,'' said Rodriguez, whose nine straight All-Star starts tied Johnny Bench's record for catchers and put him two behind Yogi Berra's mark of 11 career starts. "But I'm going to spend the time with my family.''

Rodriguez broke into the majors in June 1991, a few weeks before the All-Star Game. He was chosen as a reserve behind Cleveland's Sandy Alomar in '92, then was picked as the starter every year until this one.

Pudge's candidacy was hurt by a back injury that kept him out of 45 games. He had a slight lead over Posada in the voting when he returned June 7. The absence also could hurt his chances of winning an 11th straight Gold Glove, which would break another record he shares with Bench.

"He deserves to start. I'm happy because he's a good friend of mine,'' said Rodriguez, who was hitting .275 with three homers and 15 RBI going into Sunday night's game against Houston. He'd thrown out three of 10 base stealers.

Pierzynski is hitting .323 with five homers and 31 RBI, and has thrown out 12 of 47 base stealers.

"It's disappointing that Pudge hasn't been healthy or he'd definitely be starting the All-Star Game,'' Texas manager Jerry Narron said. "I know he's smart enough to know you can't miss most of the first half and still get elected.''

The Rangers will still have a Rodriguez representing them in Milwaukee: Alex, who was the top vote-getter at shortstop for the sixth straight year. It'll be his fifth appearance, though, because he missed the 2000 game with an injury.

"This is the first time in my career that I've been the only guy, so that's not a lot of fun,'' Rodriguez said. "But I have a responsibility as a Ranger and I want to have fun.''

A-Rod actually started last year's game at third, switching places with Cal Ripken to honor his great career at shortstop. With five shortstops on this year's AL roster, there could be a need for someone to play second. Would he move again?

"I'd rather have (Texas teammate) Michael Young playing second,'' he said.

Narron seconded the nomination.

"If Joe Torre had seen him play every day, he'd probably have liked him a whole lot,'' Narron said. "I think Michael Young definitely deserved a lot of consideration.''

But Narron didn't quibble with the choice of five shortstops, saying "we're very fortunate to have a generation of shortstops that might be the best ever.''

"And Alex is ahead of those guys considering he hits 50 homers and the way he plays his position,'' Narron said. "He's arguably the best of all-time.''