MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- Baseball has an uncertain future. So it is time to enjoy the present, beginning with the 2002 All-Star Game Tuesday night at Miller Park.

The best in the sport have gathered in the hometown of Commissioner Bud Selig to stage the first All-Star Game in Milwaukee since the National League won, 6-3, in 1975 at County Stadium.

While the Players Association did not set a strike date on Monday, the possibility of another work stoppage looms later this summer as the union and the owners seem far apart on any new labor agreement.

Many of the questions asked of the All-Stars on Monday dealt with either labor issues or steroid use, putting a cloud over what is supposed to be a time of celebration.

The players will try to put the focus back on the field on Tuesday when the American League seeks its sixth straight win in the Mid-Summer Classic.

Curt Schilling of the Arizona Diamondbacks has been named as the starting pitcher for the National League for the third time in four years. This time, the honor was given by his own manager, Bob Brenly.

American League manager Joe Torre of the New York Yankees gave the starting nod to Derek Lowe of the Boston Red Sox. Lowe made the All-Star team as a closer two years ago and has excelled as a starter this season, tying for the league lead in wins with 12 and leading the league with a 2.36 ERA.

"It's a tremendous honor," Lowe said at Monday's news conference. "In my first year starting I came into the year with no expectations so this is more than I could ever have dreamed of."

Schilling was named as the starter for last year's All-Star Game, but had problems loosening up before the game and was replaced by Arizona teammate Randy Johnson. Schilling, who is 14-3 with a 3.08 ERA, started the All-Star Game in 1999 as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies.

"It's no less an honor today than it was the first time," Schilling said.

In his first season at the helm of the NL squad, Brenly named six players from his defending world champions.

Torre, as has become his trademark over the last couple of seasons, opted to take six Yankees, including his entire starting infield.

Catcher Jorge Posada, first baseman Jason Giambi and second baseman Alfonso Soriano were elected to start and Torre added shortstop Derek Jeter, third baseman Robin Ventura and closer Mariano Rivera.

Giambi was the winner of the Home Run Derby contest on Monday night.

Brenly chose Johnson, Schilling and closer Byung-Hyum Kim, but Johnson asked out of the game on Sunday. Outfielder Luis Gonzalez, backup catcher Damian Miller and reserve infielder Junior Spivey are the other Diamondbacks.

Johnson heads a growing list of All-Star pitchers who will not participate. Atlanta's Tom Glavine and Matt Morris of St. Louis also were late scratches. Robb Nen of San Francisco, Vicente Padilla of Philadelphia and Mike Remlinger of Atlanta were the late NL replacements.

Boston ace Pedro Martinez turned down an invitation last week.

Joining the trio from the defending AL champions in the starting lineup are shortstop Alex Rodriguez of the Rangers and third baseman Shea Hillenbrand of the Red Sox.

The American League's starting outfield will consist of Ichiro Suzuki of Seattle, who led all vote-getters, Manny Ramirez of Boston and Torii Hunter of the Minnesota Twins.

The AL squad will boast five multi-dimensional shortstops. Joining Rodriguez and Jeter on the team will be Cleveland's Omar Vizquel, Oakland's Miguel Tejada and Boston's Nomar Garciaparra.

The Phillies, among the most disappointing teams in baseball this season, will have half of the NL's starting infield. Scott Rolen, the object of fans' ire this season, is the starting third baseman and Jimmy Rollins gets the nod at shortstop.

Joining Rolen and Rollins in the infield will be Jose Vidro of the Montreal Expos, who edged Roberto Alomar of the New York Mets in the final week, and Colorado Rockies first baseman Todd Helton.

Mets superstar Mike Piazza will be behind the plate for the NL, with Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants, Vladimir Guerrero of the Expos and Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs comprising the starting outfield.

Milwaukee fans will have two local players to cheer for as slugging first baseman Richie Sexson and shortstop Jose Hernandez both made the team.

Major League Baseball announced Monday that the All-Star Most Valuable Player Award will be named after Hall of Famer Ted Williams, who died on Friday. There also will be tribute to Williams on Tuesday.