The All-Star game selections were made this past Sunday and I understand the game is for the fans, but if the game "counts" then shouldn't the most deserving players be rewarded?  Rays' manager Joe Maddon admitted he selected Tim Wakefield more as a lifetime achievement award than because of the way he pitched this season.  Just think about this, Wakefield comes on to pitch in the game, and the American League loses because Victor Martinez can't catch the knuckleball or because runners just start stealing bases in frenzy.  How ironic would it be that the Rays or Red Sox would have to play Game 7 of the World Series on the road because of this?  How on Earth is Josh Hamilton elected when he has only played in 35 games, is batting .240 with six home runs and 24 RBIs - very undeserving in my mind?  Let's take a look at the players that were voted into the starting lineup and the changes we would make bases on fantasy production.

 American League

Catcher

Reality:  Joe Mauer:  Hard to argue with Mauer, even though he missed the first five weeks of the season.  He's having a career year and has finally discovered the power stroke we were all hoping for.

Fantasy:  Victor Martinez:  Martinez has proved that he is over the elbow injury that shelved him for the better part of the 2008 season.

First Base

Reality:  Mark Teixeira:  Solid pick here as well in a league stocked with power hitting first basemen. 

Fantasy:  Justin Morneau:  One has to wonder if he had played in a bigger market, if he would be the starter.

Second Base

Reality:  Dustin Pedroia:  Same issue as with Teixeira above, having a good season, but not deserving on starting the All-Star Game.

Fantasy:  Ian Kinsler:  Poor Kinsler, not only isn't he starting the game, but he wasn't even selected as a reserve.  Instead he's on the five man vote in list.

Third Base

Reality:  Evan Longoria:  Easy choice here even though Longoria has been slumping since suffering a hamstring injury.

Fantasy:  Evan Longoria:  No-brainer here especially with ARod being out with the hip injury for so long and not hitting like himself.

Shortstop

Reality:  Derek Jeter:  Having a comeback season of sorts, no one saw this kind of year for Jeter.  The switch to batting leadoff seems to have revitalized his bat.

Fantasy:  Jason Bartlett:  Jeter still deserves the starting nod, but if Bartlett had not gotten hurt and landed on the DL, it may have been he who was more deserving.

Outfield

Reality:  Jason Bay, Ichiro Suzuki, Josh Hamilton:  no argument with Bay, he's picked the right season to have a career year.  He should be able to cash in during free agency in the off-season.  Ichiro is elected thanks to his enormous popularity, he's having another good season and I think he should be on the team, but not as a starter.  Hamilton in no way deserves to be on the team for the reasons mentioned above.

Fantasy:  Jason Bay, Carl Crawford, Tori Hunter:  All three of these players are actually MVP candidates.  Crawford is on pace to steal close to 100 bases, one has to wonder if his legs will be able to hold up all season, and Hunter is having a fantastic season and is a big reason why the Angels are tied for first place in the AL West.

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