Unless something spectacular occurs, like ballot-stuffing of Iranian proportions, Chase Utley and Raul Ibanez will start in the All-Star Game. And with Charlie Manuel serving as the manager for the National Leaguers, there’s a strong possibility that Ryan Howard will tag along. After all, Howard still is hitting homers and the game will be played in his hometown.
Then again, first base is a particularly strong position in the NL this season. Todd Helton, Adrian Gonzalez, Prince Fielder, and, of course, Albert Pujols are as worthy as anyone.
Otherwise, the pickins are slim with the Phillies and potential All-Stars. Sure, Jimmy Rollins was the leading vote getter for shortstops for a while, but that does nothing more than lend credence to the argument that the fans probably shouldn’t have such a strong vote to select the team.
Anyway, I decided it would be a conflict of interest to actual take part in the voting for the All-Stars, but that doesn’t mean I can’t be an influence in other ways. So, if I were voting for All-Stars, here are the players the most worthy.
National League C – Yadier Molina, Stl 1B – Albert Pujols, Stl 2B – Chase Utley, Phi 3B – Pablo Sandoval, SF SS – Hanley Ramirez, Fla OF – Raul Ibanez, Phi OF – Brad Hawpe, Col OF – Ryan Braun, Mil P – Tim Lincecum, SF
American League C – A.J. Pierzynski, ChiW 1B – Mark Teixeira, NYY 2B – Aaron Hill, Tor 3B – Evan Longoria, TB SS – Derek Jeter, NYY OF – Ichiro Suzuki, Sea OF – Ben Zobrist, TB OF – Torii Hunter, LAA P – Zack Greinke, KC