The Real MLB All-Star Teams

Take away fan and player voting and managers deciding. Forget the rule that every team has to be represented. Instead, leave it to me to pick the squads for the midsummer classic.

I won't be sentimental. I won't choose fan (or my own) favorites over deserving players, even if the latter are jerks. I'll refuse to pick players based on past performance; rather I'll only select major leaguers who performed at an all-star level in the first half of the 2009 season. I will simply look at statistics and leave emotions out of it. (Sorry, Jermaine Dye.)

And that's just what I did. I chose 66 players for the 2009 American League and National League All-Star teams. 16 starters. 26 hurlers, including 10 relievers and 16 starting pitchers. 24 reserves, including 12 infielders, 10 outfielders, and two catchers. And, no, you don't get to choose the 33rd man on each roster.

Instead, you can take to the comments section below and let me know what you think. Who did I leave off? Who shouldn't be on the team? All I ask is that you try to be objective. (Again: I said try.)

But, I have to tell you one thing: Argue at your own peril. This list is, of course, the final word on all-things All-Star. At least until next year when I will again pick the teams, which will again be the final word. (Just kidding: I really do want you to tell me I'm wrong. I dare you, in fact. Ha ha.)

I have also included which players I've taken off the rosters chosen by fans, players and managers, those who will no longer be heading to St. Louis, as well as which players are in and will be going to St. Louis. And forget injuries and other situations: When it comes to my rosters, they're all going to Missouri, whether they like it or not.

(Note: I wrote this before the vote for the 33rd All-Star was completed.)

 

2009 American League All-Star Team

Starters

C-Joe Mauer, MIN

1B-Justin Morneau, MIN

2B-Aaron Hill, TOR

SS-Derek Jeter, NYY

3B-Evan Longoria, TB

OF-Carl Crawford, TB

OF-Torii Hunter, LAA

OF-Ichiro Suzuki, SEA

Pitchers

P-David Aardsma, SEA

P-Nick Blackburn, MIN

P-Mark Buehrle, CHW

P-Brian Fuentes, LAA

P-Zack Grienke, KC

P-Roy Halladay, TOR

P-Felix Hernandez, SEA

P-Edwin Jackson, DET

P-Joe Nathan, MIN

P-Jonathan Papelbon, BOS

P-Mariano Rivera, NYY

P-Justin Verlander, DET

P-Jered Weaver, LAA

Reserves

C-Victor Martinez, CLE

1B-Russell Branyan, SEA

1B-Miguel Cabrera, DET

1B-Mark Teixeira, NYY

2B-Ian Kinsler, TEX

SS-Jason Bartlett, TB

3B-Chone Figgins, LAA

OF-Bobby Abreu, LAA

OF-Jason Bay, BOS

OF-Shin-Soo Choo, CLE

OF-Jacoby Ellsbury, BOS

OF-Adam Lind, TOR

Who's Out: 1B-Kevin Youkilis, BOS; 2B-Dustin Pedroia, BOS; SS-Ben Zobrist, TB; 3B-Michael Young, TEX; OF-Josh Hamilton, TEX; OF-Curtis Granderson, DET; OF-Adam Jones, BAL; P-Andrew Bailey, OAK; P-Josh Beckett, BOS; P-Tim Wakefield, BOS.

Who's In: 1B-Russell Branyan, SEA; 1B-Miguel Cabrera, DET; 2B-Ian Kinsler, TEX; 3B-Chone Figgins, LAA; OF-Bobby Abreu, LAA; OF-Shin-Soo Choo, CLE; OF-Jacoby Ellsbury, BOS; OF-Adam Lind, TOR; P-David Aardsma, SEA; P-Nick Blackburn, MIN; P-Jered Weaver, LAA.

2009 National League All-Star Team

Starters

C-Brian McCann, ATL

1B-Albert Pujols, STL

2B-Chase Utley, PHI

SS-Hanley Ramirez, FLA

3B-David Wright, NYM

OF-Ryan Braun, MIL

OF-Raul Ibanez, PHI

OF-Matt Kemp, LAD

Pitchers

P-Heath Bell, SD

P-Chad Billingsley, LAD

P-Jonathan Broxton, LAD

P-Matt Cain, SF

P-Francisco Cordero, CIN

P-Ryan Franklin, STL

P-Yovani Gallardo, MIL

P-Dan Haren, ARI

P-Josh Johnson, FLA

P-Tim Lincecum, SF

P-Francisco Rodriguez, NYM

P-Johan Santana, NYM

P-Javier Vazquez, ATL

Reserves

C-Bengie Molina, SF

1B-Prince Fielder, MIL

1B-Adrian Gonzalez, SD

1B-Pablo Sandoval, SF

2B-Brandon Phillips, CIN

SS-Miguel Tejada, HOU

3B-Mark Reynolds, ARI

OF-Carlos Beltran, NYM

OF-Adam Dunn, WAS

OF-Brad Hawpe, COL

OF-Juan Pierre, LAD

OF-Justin Upton, ARI

Who's Out: C-Yadier Molina, STL; 1B-Ryan Howard, PHI; 2B-Orlando Hudson, LAD; 2B-Freddy Sanchez, PIT; 3B-Ryan Zimmerman, WAS; OF-Hunter Pence, HOU; SP-Ted Lilly, CHC; SP-Jason Marquis, COL.

Who's In: C-Bengie Molina, SF; 1B-Pablo Sandoval, SF; 2B-Brandon Phillips, CIN; 3B-Mark Reynolds, ARI; OF-Adam Dunn, WAS; OF-Matt Kemp, LAD; OF-Juan Pierre, LAD; P-Yovani Gallardo, MIL; P-Javier Vazquez, ATL.