The Phillies will be sending three players to the 2009 All Star Game. Second baseman Chase Utley and outfielder Raul Ibanez have been named starters to the 2009 National League All-Star team. First baseman Ryan Howard was named as a reserve by manager Charlie Manuel.

This will be the fifth All Star selection for Utley, but only the first for Ibanez. Howard was an All-Star in 2006.

Rounding out the starting lineup for the National League is catcher Yadier Molina and first baseman Albert Pujols, both from the St. Louis Cardinals; Hanley Ramirez of the Florida Marlins at shortstop; Mets’ David Wright at third base and Carlos Beltran in the outfield; and Ryan Braun of the Brewers rounding out the final outfield spot.

The National League reserves are Braves’ catcher Brian McCann, first basemen Prince Fielder of the Brewers, Adrian Gonzalez of the Padres and Howard, second basemen Orlando Hudson of the Dodgers and Freddy Sanchez of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Astros’ shortstop Miguel Tejada, Washington Nationals’ third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, and outfielders Brad Hawpe of the Colorado Rockies, Hunter Pence of the Astros, and Justin Upton of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Manuel has yet to name a starting pitcher for the All Star game, but has a bevy of talent to choose from. Named to the NL squad are starters Chad Billingsley of the Dodgers, Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants, Dan Haren of the Diamondbacks, Florida’s Josh Johnson, the Cubs’ Ted Lilly, Jason Marquis from the Rockies, and Johan Santana from the Mets.

Five relievers were named to the All Star team, including the Padres’ Heath Bell, Dodgers’ Jonathan Broxton, Francisco Cordero from the Cincinnati Reds, Ryan Franklin from the hometown Cardinals, and Francisco Rodriguez from the Mets.

The 2009 All Star Game will be held at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on Tuesday, July 14.