Sox stump for Dye

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - There was a small plane flying overhead before and during batting practice on Wednesday, pulling a banner in support of right fielder Jermaine Dye.

Most White Sox players wore "Vote for JD'' stickers on their uniforms and for a few moments, Nick Swisher displayed the sticker on his chin.

Voting for the final spot on the American League All-Star team ends at 4 p.m. today on MLB.com, and the Sox are doing everything they can to get Dye to Yankee Stadium on July 15.

While exact vote totals were not released Wednesday, Dye is second to Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria "by percentage points.''

Dye, who entered Wednesday's game tied for second in the AL with 19 home runs while batting .302 with 52 RBI, is trying to make it to his third All-Star Game.

While the 34-year-old outfielder trails Longoria, he leads the Yankees' Jason Giambi, the Royals' Jose Guillen and the Orioles' Brian Roberts.

"I think Jermaine has been underrated for a long time,'' said White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen. "I think this guy has had a nice career and no one even thinks about it. A lot of people out there, if you ask them who was the MVP in 2005 (World Series), they don't even know it was J.D.

"This guy goes out there every day, does what he's supposed to do, plays hard, gives us good at-bats. He has ups and downs like everyone, but since I got this job he's been great, he's been outstanding. He's a guy that never complains about anything. You appreciate that from a player of his caliber.''

Guillen was happy to see all of the Dye stickers and good-natured ribbing during batting practice.

"This team is close,'' Guillen said. "They pull for each other and they're good friends.''