It's already that time to submit your All Star votes. I have just done my first ballot. I say first because as the games continue many factors could come into play before the deadline. Besides, they said I could.

The first thing that struck me. They ask for your second favorite team. Second favorite? Hmm, let me think. O don't have one.

It used to be that I liked the L.A. Dodgers, but not-so-much. And as a child, when I could not pick the Sox, I always chose the Angels; I just don't feel it anymore. So, I picked the Red Sox.

I went through the selections. At first pass, I found it difficult to pick Red Sox. I was surprised. A first-place team with the best record in the American League and not one All Star? How could that be?

So I had to go back and re-organize my thoughts.

First no Yankees. Why? Besides my dislike of pinstripes, there will be plenty of N.Y. fans placing their votes for those guys. As it is, they have an All Star at every position. And why would I want to stroke any of those egos?

Second, How are they doing right now? Who are the difference makers at each position?

Third, stick up for the small market teams. No one will pick them.

So here are my selections:

A.L.
First base: My apologies to Mark Teixeira, but with no other option available I had to take Big Papi. He's the best. Period. There is no DH.

Second: BJ Upton. He is an exciting player and has done some pretty remarkable things in his short stint. Now that he has finally gotten the every-day job, he's running with it. (Honorable mention Ian Kinsler - lots of power for such a little guy)

Third: Mike Lowell. He's off to a terrific start with his seven home runs and 30 rbis. Not quite the A-Rod, but when you factor in his fielding abilities, there is little doubt. He'll most definitely have an uphill battle to win the spot however.

SS: Jhonny Peralta. He is starting to heat up and by the time the deadline hits, he should have over 10 home runs. Lugo was my second choice, without the Jeter factor.

Catcher: Tek. Yup, home boy factor. I admit. Sure Victor Martinez is good, great even, but I look at what Tek brings to this club everyday. Even without stellar numbers, his ability to call a game is unmatched.

Outfield: This was tough. There are so many good outfielders in the game. What surprised me most that few of them led the league in power numbers. So with all the power coming from the infield I went with producers.
Vladimir Guerrero: I wish I could have made a Manny pick here and perhaps by the end of the month Manny will deserve my vote but right now, Vlady has the numbers.
Magglio Ordonez: He has 39 rbis or something and is batting above .340. How could anyone not vote for him. I also believe the Tigers have the fan base to get their guy in.
Grady Sizemore: He is a five-tool player who continues to improve year-after-year.
(Honorable mentions: Ichiro, Carl Crawford and Vernon Wells)

N.L.
First: Derek Lee. He's back. He continues to toy with the league leaders in every category. He's been intentionally walked to load bases for Aramis Ramirez (no slouch in his own right). Don't worry Albert, I'm sure you'll get plenty of votes.

Second: Dan Uggla. He is hitting like he's Bonds, eight home runs thus far. (Chase Utley was a close second (pardon the pun) with his 30+ rbis. But again market share was a factor.

Third: David Wright. This is another guy that for some reason seems to slip off people's radar. I like him. He's got all the tools and plays a mean defense to boot. (Honorable mention: Miguel Cabrera.)

SS: Jose Reyes. Like his teammate Reyes is just plain exciting. He can single-handedly change a game from a number of different angles: speed, surprising power and his defense has improved. (Honorable mention: JJ Hardy, wow!, next time he'll get my vote.)

Outfield: Carlos Lee continues to pound the ball for Houston. He hardly gets noticed except perhaps by opposing pitchers; Adam Dunn the power has always been there (11 HRs thus far) but he also has a half-dozen SBs and has kept his average up, for now; Matt Holiday, it may be the Colorado factor but he is among the league leaders in rbis, slugging and HRs.
(Honorable mentions: Carlos Beltran, Alfonzo Soriano not-so-honorable mention: Barry Bonds - home runs are not everything.

Catcher: Michael Barrett for a time he was leading his team in rbis. The only down side is that his average has slipped, but what a difference a few weeks could make. (Honorable mention: Russell Martin - kickin' some major league butt.)

So there you have it. Where did I go wrong?

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