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.