National League at American League MLB All-Star Game 8:00 pm EDT

DETROIT (Ticker) - St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa had plenty of success in the All-Star Game as an American League skipper. He now will attempt to end the AL's recent reign in the mid-summer classic.

La Russa makes his debut as a National League manager in the All-Star Game on Tuesday at Comerica Park, leading a club that includes five of his own players against an American League squad that has not lost since 1996.

From 1989-91, La Russa, then manager of the Oakland Athletics , led the American League to three straight wins. Each victory came by two runs and was part of a trend that has seen the American League dominate in recent years.

Overall, the American League has won 13 of the last 17 All-Star Games, one of which resulted in a tie in 2002.

The 60-year-old La Russa joins Sparky Anderson , Alvin Dark and Dick Williams as the only figures to manage both leagues in the All-Star Game. He has a chance to become the first to record a win for each side.

To keep his personal streak alive, La Russa will rely largely on a stable of Cardinals, including righthander Chris Carpenter (13-4, 2.51), whom La Russa tabbed as the National League's starting pitcher.

Three years removed from shoulder surgery that kept him out of action in 2003, Carpenter is tied with fellow All-Stars Dontrelle Willis of the Florida Marlins and Jon Garland of the Chicago White Sox for the major league lead in wins.

He joins first baseman Albert Pujols , shortstop David Eckstein , center fielder Jim Edmonds and closer Jason Isringhausen among St. Louis players on the NL roster. Pujols, Eckstein and Edmonds will start but third baseman Rolen was replaced on the squad by Morgan Ensberg of the Houston Astros .

Pujols will fill the designated hitter role, leaving first base to the Chicago Cubs ' Derrek Lee , who enters the break leading the majors with a .372 average and tied with Atlanta Braves center fielder Andruw Jones atop the home run ranks with 27.

Lee will be making his All-Star debut along with Eckstein, Carpenter and fellow hurlers Jake Peavy of the San Diego Padres , Chad Cordero of the Washington Nationals , Brian Fuentes of the Colorado Rockies and Roy Oswalt and Brad Lidge of the Astros.

Others making their debut for the NL are Ensberg, Felipe Lopez of the Cincinnati Reds , Aramis Ramirez of the Cubs, Jason Bay of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Carlos Lee of the Milwaukee Brewers . Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Cesar Izturis will not play due to injury.

Roger Clemens gives Houston four players on the roster with his 11th bid. The 42-year-old Clemens leads the majors with a remarkable 1.48 ERA.

Led by Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona , the AL roster is filled with members of the world champions, including starters Jason Varitek , Manny Ramirez , David Ortiz and Johnny Damon . Matt Clement became Boston's lone representative on the mound when he replaced the injured Roy Halladay on Saturday.

The Tigers, who are hosting the event for the first time since 1971 and the fourth time overall, have one representative in Ivan Rodriguez . The 12-time All-Star, who is tied with the NL's starting catcher Mike Piazza for the most appearances among this year's entrants, finished second to Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Bobby Abreu in the Home Run Derby on Monday.

Holding the best record in the majors at the break, the Chicago White Sox take four players into Tuesday's contest. Mark Buehrle (10-3, 2.58) was named the starter ahead of Garland, his teammate with three more wins.

Also on Francona's staff is lefthander Kenny Rogers of the Texas Rangers , who announced Monday he would honor his selection and play despite mounting controversy after an incident with two cameramen July 29 in Texas.

Rogers' teammate Mark Teixeira , the Rangers' first baseman, takes an AL-leading 25 homers into his first All-Star Game.

Other first-timers on Francona's squad are second baseman Brian Roberts of the Baltimore Orioles , who will start and bat ninth, as well as Garland, Clement, 2004 AL Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana of the Minnesota Twins , relievers B.J. Ryan of the Orioles, Danys Baez of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Justin Duchscherer of the Athletics, and White Sox center fielder Scott Podsednik .