Stars in their eyes

Way back in 1947, baseball fans were given the opportunity to choose who started the All-Star Game, a practice that disappeared briefly in the middle of the century because of ballot-box stuffing but was reinstated in 1970 and has remained since.

Of course, fans don’t always get these things right. Too often they vote not for the best players but for their favorite players. That said, fans should get more credit than we generally give them. In this year’s balloting, they’ve done a pretty good job.

With rosters set to be announced Sunday, let’s look at which players are expected to get the starting nods and — in some cases — which players should get the nod instead…

NATIONAL LEAGUE

CATCHER

Who will start: Yadier Molina, Cardinals

Who should start: Brian McCann, Braves. It’s kind of a weak class this season, but McCann stands out from the pack. He’s got the highest batting average (.316), on-base percentage (.405) and slugging percentage (.526) among qualifying catchers.

FIRST BASE

Who will start: Albert Pujols, Cardinals

Who should start: Pujols. There’s no way they could play the All-Star Game in St. Louis without Prince Albert in the lineup, but he deserves the honor anyway. He’s having another MVP season, and though Adrian Gonzalez is quietly doing great things for the Padres, he will have to settle for the backup nod.

SECOND BASE

Who will start: Chase Utley, Phillies

Who should start: Utley. Another one the fans have gotten right. He leads all NL second basemen in homers, RBI, slugging percentage and on-base percentage. That’s too bad for Orlando Hudson, who is good enough to start but can’t top Utley.

SHORTSTOP

Who will start: Hanley Ramirez, Marlins

Story Continues →