All-Star Rosters Announced

I have a thought or two about this year's Major League Baseball All-Star Rosters. First, I was thrilled to see Detroit's Carlos Guillen make the team. He really has been the best shortstop in the American League this season. He may never have three months like this again, but since Opening Day Guillen has been better than Derek Jeter, Nomar Garciaparra, Miguel Tejada, Michael Young (although, Young is a close second) and all the other big names at shorstop.

I was (and still am) amazed that Cleveland has four players on the American League roster. Matt Lawton, C.C. Sabathia, Ronnie Belliard and Victor Martinez will all represent the junior circuit on July 13. The question is why so many? I'll grant you Martinez, who has not only been an offensive force, but plays a tough position to fill-catcher. Yes, Sabathia, Lawton and Belliard have been very good, but lots of players have been. I never got the impression all four were much better, sans Martinez, than anyone else having a good year at their positions.

I'm equally surprised that Milwaukee got two All-Star selections and neither was Lyle Overbay. Overbay should be in Houston. He's amongst the N.L. leaders in average and runs batted in. Who would have I left off to put Overbay in? From a position standpoint, I would have taken him over Jim Thome and Sean Casey. From a team perspective, I probably would have taken Overbay ahead of Ben Sheets. Thome, Casey and Sheets are all deserving, but I think Overbay is equal to any of them. (I could be wrong, of course.)

The other noticable absences in the National League were Los Angeles' Adrian Beltre and Philadelphia's Bobby Abreu. One should get the roster spot opened up by Sean Casey's appearance on the disabled list (unless Overbay gets it). My guess is the spot will go to Beltre or Overbay. Abreu remains on the ballot for the 32nd player at MLB.com and the league would probably like us fans to pick Abreu for them.

Then there is Carlos Beltran. He was with Kansas City of the American League and would have been a starter, but he got traded to Houston in the National League and finds himself outside looking in. MLB has decided Beltran can participate in the All-Star activities, but not the game, as he was not selected as a N.L. star.

Common sense should prevail here. Let Beltran play for the National League and create another spot for the American League. I'm sure Bud Selig could find another deserving player in the American League.

Baseball's All-Star Game for all of it's silliness, is still the best of the All-Star Games. It causes more controversy and discussion than all the other major sports all-star affairs combined.