BOSTON -- All-Star Dustin Pedroia. That is a fair way to describe the hard-nosed second baseman who has been performing heroics for the Red Sox since taking his spot in the starting lineup in 2007.

In other words, it might come as a surprise to you that Pedroia somehow was not named to the American League All-Star team last season, despite another stellar season.

That has a good chance of changing in 2012, as Pedroia continues to swing a hot bat.

The All-Star ballots for the American and National Leagues officially launched on Friday, and Pedroia is listed at second base.

"He's a great player," manager Bobby Valentine said of Pedroia. "He's a wonderful person and just the model baseball player, the guy you'd write a book about and want your baseball kid to grow up like. He's terrific. He's everything I had imagined and more."

Pedroia was named an All-Star in three straight years -- 2008-10 -- but has only played in the Midsummer Classic once. In 2009, his wife went into premature labor, so he had to skip the trip to St. Louis. Two years ago, Pedroia traveled to the game in Anaheim, but he couldn't play because of a broken left foot.

Fans can cast their votes for starters up to 25 times at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- online or via your mobile device -- using the 2012 All-Star Game MLB.com Ballot until Thursday, June 28, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Fans can also once again participate in the State Farm Home Run Derby Fan Poll. Fans will have the opportunity to select three players in each league who they would most like to see participate in the State Farm Home Run Derby. The 2012 State Farm Home Run Derby -- part of Gatorade All-Star Workout Day -- will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN HD, ESPN Deportes and ESPN Radio in the United States beginning at 8 p.m. on Monday, July 9.

The 2012 AL and NL All-Star teams will be unveiled on Sunday, July 1, on the 2012 MLB All-Star Game Selection Show, televised nationally on TBS. Baseball fans around the world will then be able to select the final player on each team via the 2012 All-Star Game Final Vote on MLB.com

And the voting doesn't end there. The final phase of All-Star Game voting will again have fans participating in the official voting for the Ted Williams All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet. During the Midsummer Classic, fans will vote exclusively online at MLB.com via the 2012 All-Star Game MLB.com MVP Vote, and their voice will represent 20 percent of the official vote determining the recipient of the Arch Ward Trophy.

The 2012 All-Star Game will be played at Kauffman Stadium on Tuesday, July 10. Come to MLB.com for extensive online coverage of the All-Star Week festivities.

The 83rd All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 200 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network and Sirius XM also will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com or royals.com/asg.

Fans who attend Red Sox games at Fenway Park can fill out ballots there between May 1-June 9.

Sox slugger David Ortiz is again on the ballot at designated hitter, as he vies for his eighth All-Star berth.

Sweet-swinging first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, who was voted in as a starter for the first time last year, will have familiar competition on this year's ballot. Albert Pujols, the man who frequently beat Gonzalez out for the starting spot when they both played in the NL, is now an American Leaguer.

Kevin Youkilis, who became an All-Star for the third time last year, represents the Red Sox at third base.

Mike Aviles, who won a starting job in Spring Training, is Boston's shortstop on this year's ballot. Switch-hitter Jarrod Saltalamacchia is on the ballot at catcher.

Carl Crawford and Jacoby Ellsbury, who are both on the disabled list, are on the ballot and should both be plenty healthy by the All-Star Game.

The third Boston outfielder on the ballot is a newcomer to the team and the AL -- Cody Ross. If early indications mean anything, Ross has a swing built for Fenway.