I'm amazed by the media & fans in this town continously overrate Markakis. He's a good player, but I wouldn't consider him an All-Star. I think the Rangers RF Nelson Cruz is having a better season. His average is a few points lower than Markakis, but he hits for more power & drives in more runs. And before anybody asks, yes, I'm an Orioles fan.

Would be great to see both Nick and Adam in the All star game, starting together someday. Sux and Spanks fans will continue to rig the lineups for now, I'm sure.

Don't think Nick makes it this year unless a reserve.Jones is simply getting a lot more publicity.2nd baseman are stacked this year, I wouldn't have a problem with Hill over Kinsler.

Good news for me: I have one fantasy team featuring Mauer, Bartlett, Bay, Jones and Ibanez. Raul is MURDERING the ball this year.

Pete,

I really like your AL line-up, not so familiar with the NL. The only comment I would have is that I didn't see Tori Hunter on your list and it will be hard pressed to move him off the squad, in fact the way the voting goes in these sorts of things picking this team is a real crap shoot, with many extraneous factors involved.

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Pete's reply: True. Reputation and popularity usually trump first-half performance, but I went with who I thought earned it on the field.

Steve - Nelson Cruz? really? by 'drives in more runs' did you really mean 'drives in 6 fewer runs?' Make your fellow O's fans proud by paying attention to details. And Markakis is a better outfielder with 13 more runs scored. I looked that last one up.

On another note -- Adam Dunn is sneakily building quite a career. He could finish the season as #10 in all-time HRs through age 29. Some big names on that list.

Don't pitchers go on the All Star teams usually too?

Or are we like the O's and just ignore that part of the squad?

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Pete's reply: Pitchers are not on the All-Star ballot.

Victor Martinez over Joe Mauer

To Steve...

Nelson Cruz beats Markakis in HR this season (so far), but not in RBI or R right now. The numbers aren't even close. Markakis 38 RBI, 36 R. Cruz 31 RBI, 22 R. Markakis is second in "runs total" only to Pujols last I heard. And Cruz has fallen off considerably from his hot start, even in the middle of a much stronger line-up top to bottom.

And it's not a 'history' thing, either, as Cruz totaled just 50-some RBI in his last two seasons.

Pete,

I just noticed, you have no Scankees! There is no such thing as an AL All-star team without some Scankees! I say the captain Derek Jeter will make the squad!

Hey Pete,

Did you take player popularity into account as well as their production this far into the season?

And, also, have you seen Mike Flanagan around anywhere lately? I haven't heard his name since MacPhail took over

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Pete's reply: No, I was going on the numbers. I think the Flanny situation will clarify one of these days.

Too bad since the fans vote, that this will be the actual AL starting lineup:

C: Varitek
1B: Tex
2B: Pedroia
3B: A-Rod
SS: Jeter
OF: Jason Bay
OF: Ellsbury
OF: Ichiro (probably)

Always fun to watch the Yankees and Red Sox show in July, as if we don't get enough of it all year.

Pete, I like your picks, especially CF and RF for the AL. Unfortunately, I don't think either of them will be picked as a starter, although Adam in particular deserves it.

too bad for the AL its gonna be...

1B. Youklis
2B. Pedroia
SS. Jeter
3B Longoria
C Mauer
OF Crawford
OF Bay
OF Markakis

It should be everyone u said it is supposed to be except for Jason Bay. Crawford definitely deserves it. But then again, it doesnt matter what anybody deserves, it matters what the yankees and red sox fans decide. ORIOLES SHOULD ADVERTISE MORE FOR AJ TO BE A STARTER!!!!! OTHERWISE ONLY 1 ORIOLE WILL MAKE IT WHEN AT LEAST 2 DESERVE IT!

Markakis, Zimmerman and Jones deserve it. All these Nationals and Orioles players, that is funny. The two last place clubs with low attendance may not get the fan vote. I do not think Dunn has a chance. But it is interesting.

Nelson Cruz also hits in Arlington. Numbers can get inflated, nevermind Markakis is the better defensive player

Okay, now just replace all of those deserving AL selections with Redsox and Yankees and you'll have the actual starters.

If Markakis and Jones both make it, I will actually watch the game. Pretty much seems like a bore most years.

they should do what the nfl does. 1/3 fan vote. 1/3 players vote. 1/3 managers vote. that would be awesome