Fans deserve applause for diligent All-Star vote
Posted: Thursday July 2, 2009 8:04 PM
Sports Illustrated.com

Give the fans a hand for an All-Star performance.

Albert Pujols, absolutely. Joe Mauer, right on the money. Chase Utley and Evan
Longoria, no doubt about it.

Fan balloting for All-Star game starters has been a contentious issue in
baseball for years. Some complain the process is merely a popularity contest
that often puts big names on the field at the expense of more deserving players.

This season, however, a look at the numbers shows fans were hitting for their
highest average in years.

When vote counts were released early in the week, with only a few days of
balloting left, most of the players leading at their positions merited those
spots.

Pujols was the top vote-getter, as he should be. The big first baseman has been
the best player in the game all season and he figures to own the spotlight July
14 at his home ballpark in St. Louis.

But it wasn't just Pujols, an easy selection. Fans were throwing strikes all
around the horn.

Utley at second base, Hanley Ramirez at shortstop, David Wright at third for the
National League.

Over in the AL, it was the same thing: Mauer behind the plate, Longoria at
third, Jason Bay in the outfield.

Even a couple of close races made sense. Kevin Youkilis vs. Mark Teixeira at
first base, though Justin Morneau shouldn't be forgotten. Ian Kinsler was
neck-and-neck with Dustin Pedroia at second, though Aaron Hill was getting
overlooked.

Unlike previous years, the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs
weren't dominating the votes. And big stars who were suspended (Manny Ramirez)
or slumping (Alex Rodriguez) were on the verge of getting left out.

That's a good thing, because their spots figure to be filled by worthy and
exciting newcomers such as Justin Upton and Brandon Inge.

Of course, fans don't get to vote for the pitching staffs. But after such an
astute performance this season, maybe it's time that changed. After all, there
are tough decisions to be made on the mound.

Zack Greinke or Roy Halladay starting for the American League? Francisco
Rodriguez or Trevor Hoffman closing for the NL? Does 42-year-old knuckleballer
Tim Wakefield make his first All-Star team?

"The players are the show,'' AL manager Joe Maddon of the Tampa Bay Rays said.
"My basic job is to pretty much get out of the way.''

Rosters were expanded from 32 to 33 players this year, with the extra spot going
to a 13th pitcher in each league. But every team must be represented, so the
choices remain difficult.

For example, try finding a legitimate All-Star on the scuffling Cubs this
season. Not so easy, which is quite a surprise for a talented team coming off
consecutive division titles.

The American League is 11-0-1 since the NL last won in 1996 at Philadelphia's
old Veterans Stadium, the longest unbeaten streak in All-Star game history.

Pujols and his pals would love to end the drought - with the world's most famous
Chicago White Sox fan on hand. President Barack Obama plans to throw out the
ceremonial first pitch at Busch Stadium.

"I'm really looking forward to it,'' said Philadelphia's Charlie Manuel, who
will manage the NL squad. "It's important that we go in there with the mindset
that we're the National League and we're trying to win it.''

Without regard to fan or player balloting, here are our picks for the 80th
All-Star game - the first in baseball-loving St. Louis since 1966. The teams
will be revealed Sunday, and the league that wins gets home-field advantage in
the World Series again.

Starting with the AL:

First Base - Morneau's big numbers for Minnesota earn him the start, barely
edging Teixeira and Youkilis. Russell Branyan is having a surprise season with
Seattle. Detroit slugger Miguel Cabrera and Tampa Bay's Carlos Pena also make it
at a power-packed position. Youkilis, Branyan and Cabrera all have extensive big
league experience at third base, so one or two of them could come off the bench
and play there.

Second Base - Kinsler is the leadoff man with pop that makes Texas' offense go.
He gets a slight nod over Hill, who is having a terrific year for Toronto after
missing much of last season with a concussion. Ben Zobrist of the Rays earns a
spot here, too. Enjoying a breakout season while filling in for injured second
baseman Akinori Iwamura, Zobrist can also play the outfield. Pedroia, the 2008
AL MVP, falls short this year.

Shortstop - Even at 35, Derek Jeter remains a consistent offensive force for the
Yankees. His backup is Tampa Bay's Jason Bartlett, previously a light-hitting
glove man who has suddenly developed a dangerous stick.

Third Base - Last season's Rookie of the Year, Longoria makes it all four Rays
infielders on the All-Star team. The Tigers finally moved Inge out from behind
the plate for good and let him play third every day. He's rewarded them with
great defense (as expected) and plenty of pop (more than expected).

Catcher - Mauer is making a run at .400 with the Twins, and now he's hitting for
power, too. His numbers are mind-boggling considering he missed all of April
with a lower back injury. The backup is Cleveland slugger Victor Martinez, also
having a huge year. He splits time between catcher and first base, but stays
behind the plate for this one.

Outfield - Torii Hunter of the Los Angeles Angels starts in center, flanked by
Bay in left and Chicago's Jermaine Dye in right. Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki is on
the bench and Matt Holliday represents last-place Oakland, which costs Johnny
Damon a spot.

Starting Pitchers - Zack Greinke beats out Halladay for the start, capping a
remarkable ride for an elite prospect who walked away from the game for a while
because of social anxiety disorder. Greinke would join Bret Saberhagen (1987) as
the only Royals pitchers to start an All-Star game. Also on the staff are Tigers
teammates Justin Verlander and Edwin Jackson, Mariners ace Felix Hernandez,
Texas' Kevin Millwood, Angels right-hander Jered Weaver, White Sox lefty Mark
Buehrle and Boston's Josh Beckett. Although a spot for Wakefield would make for
a nice story, his ERA is too high.

Relievers - Yankees closer Mariano Rivera recently reached 500 saves. He's
joined in an imposing bullpen by Boston's Jonathan Papelbon, Minnesota's Joe
Nathan and Baltimore lefty George Sherrill.

---

And in the NL:

First Base - Stacked with power-hitting stars in the National League, too.
Coming off his second MVP award, Pujols reached 30 homers before July and was
leading the majors in RBIs as well. He's joined by Milwaukee bopper Prince
Fielder, San Diego's Adrian Gonzalez, Houston switch-hitter Lance Berkman,
Colorado's Todd Helton and Philadelphia's Ryan Howard.

Second Base - Utley had hip surgery in the offseason but returned quickly and
immediately found his swing. He's a runaway winner, backed up by Pittsburgh's
Freddy Sanchez.

Shortstop - Hanley Ramirez is giving the Marlins the pop and production they
envisioned when they dropped him from leadoff to the No. 3 spot in the lineup.
He has blossomed into one of the game's best offensive players. Houston's Miguel
Tejada earns a reserve role.

Third Base - Wright's home run and RBI totals are way down, partly because of
the New York Mets' cavernous new ballpark, Citi Field. But he's still hitting
for a high average and stealing plenty of bases while trying to carry an
injury-depleted team. Behind him is first-timer Mark Reynolds of the Arizona
Diamondbacks. His impressive power numbers are enough to overcome all those
strikeouts.

Catcher - Perhaps baseball's best defensive backstop, Yadier Molina is rewarded
with the start in his home ballpark. Atlanta's Brian McCann also makes it after
rebounding quickly from an eye problem that cost him some time.

Outfield - Phillies newcomer Raul Ibanez starts in left, assuming he returns
from a groin strain without any problems. It's the first All-Star appearance for
the 37-year-old pro. Colorado's Brad Hawpe is in right and the athletic Upton
slides over from his regular spot in right to play center. Reserves are
Milwaukee slugger Ryan Braun, Washington's Adam Dunn and the Dodgers' Matt Kemp,
who fills a void in center created by the knee injury that costs Carlos Beltran
a trip.

Starting Pitchers - Strikeout specialist Tim Lincecum is following up his Cy
Young season with an outstanding encore. He gets the start, just edging Giants
teammate Matt Cain and Arizona ace Dan Haren. They are joined by Cincinnati's
Johnny Cueto, Florida's Josh Johnson and Los Angeles' Chad Billinglsey.
Left-hander Ted Lilly represents the Cubs, denying Milwaukee's Yovani Gallardo a
spot in a very difficult snub.

Relievers - Hoffman (Brewers) and Francisco Rodriguez (Mets), both
record-setting closers, have been nearly untouchable with their new teams. Give
the ball to K-Rod in the ninth inning - Hoffman already blew a chance to end the
NL drought a few years back. This deep bullpen also includes Jonathan Broxton
(Dodgers), Heath Bell (Padres), Francisco Cordero (Reds) and Ryan Franklin
(Cardinals).

---

AP Sports Writer Charles Odum in Atlanta and AP freelance writer Ian Harrison in
Toronto contributed to this report.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/wires/07/02/2010.ap.bbo.all.s\
tar.picks.adv03.1700/