Influencing the vote

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

Vote early and often

OK. I went out and submitted my first of two All-Star ballots of the year. Typically I will vote once after Memorial Day and once in the final week before the balloting ends for the All-Star Game. So, without comment, here are the votes: American League c - Victor Martinez, Indians 1b - Justin Morneau, Twins 2b - Ian Kinsler, Rangers 3b - Joe Crede, White Sox ss - Derek Jeter - Yankees of - Josh Hamilton, Rangers of - Magglio Ordonez, White Sox of - Manny Ramirez, Red Sox dh - Hideki Matsui, Yankees

National League c - Brian McCann, Braves 1b - Lance Berkman, Astros 2b - Chase Utley, Phillies 3b - Chipper Jones, Braves ss - Jimmy Rollins, Phillies of - Matt Holliday, Rockies of - Ryan Ludwick, Cardinals of - Nate McLouth, Pirates

There it is.

Meanwhile, from the "Gee, we didn't see that coming" file, Lenny Dykstra isn't paying his freelance writers for his new magazine. Yeah. Shocker.

Here are your stars

In the interest of full disclosure, here are the players I selected for the 2006 All-Star Game to be played in Pittsburgh on July 11. American League 1b - David Ortiz, Bos. 2b - Brian Roberts, Bal. 3b - Alex Rodriguez, NY ss - Miguel Tejada, Bal. of - Vladimir Guerrero, LA of - Manny Ramirez, Bos. of - Jermaine Dye, Chi. c - Joe Mauer, Min.

Interesting notes: Jim Thome is not on the ballot though he will probably make the team. Choosing Tejada over Derek Jeter was tough even though I think Tejada is better. I took Jermaine Dye over Grady Sizemore because the defending World Champions should have at least one starter.

National League 1b - Albert Pujols, Stl. 2b - Chase Utley, Phi. 3b - Scott Rolen, Stl. ss - Edgar Renteria, Atl. of - Alfonso Soriano, Was. of - Jason Bay, Pit. of - Carlos Beltran, NY c - Michael Barrett, Chi.

This was easy, though David Wright and Ryan Zimmerman should challenge Rolen in the future, and catchers Brian McCann, Russell Martin and Ryan Doumit should battle it out in the future. That Uggla kid in Florida has posted some impressive numbers, too, but Utley has now solidified himself as the best second baseman in the game.