A couple of years ago when Bud Selig decided to make the All-Star game ‘count’ I thought this might be a cool idea. See baseball’s biggest stars fight for which league will get home field advantage in the World Series. I can say this probably helped the Cardinals win, so I have grown used to it. I don’t understand why there has to be one member from every team now. If it really counts, put in the best players. The Cardinals announcers were having a contest to try to figure out which Cub will get to the All-Star game. The Cardinals have 6 or so All-Stars. They may not all make it. Either put the best team out there or put it back so the game doesn’t count. If the Cardinals were out of it, I may vote for the best players in each league since my team wouldn’t make the playoffs. But, the Cardinals are in it. They have the best record in baseball so my All-Star ballot is slightly different since I want the National League to win and I am a huge Cardinals fan.

National League

C – Yadier Molina – St. Louis Cardinals. Quite possibly the best all around player in baseball right now on the best team. There should not be any debate here.

1B – Allen Craig – St. Louis Cardinals. A little of a homer pick here but all he does is drive in runs. He has 53 RBIs as I am writing this and he is batting fourth on the best team in baseball.

2B – Matt Carpenter – St. Louis Cardinals. His manager called him the best second baseman in the league, so who am I to argue with Mike Matheny.

SS – Troy Tulowitzki – Colorado Rockies. Normally I would not vote for someone on the DL but his numbers are way over any other SS in the NL. .347 AVG 16 HR 51 RBI

3B – David Wright – New York Mets. There is no way that Captain America will not start the All-Star Game in his home park.

OF – Carlos Beltran – St. Louis Cardinals. Having another career year as he is thriving in St. Louis.

OF – Carlos Gonzalez – Colorado Rockies. Big numbers, nice guy. Carrying the Rockies now that Tulo is hurt.

OF – Matt Holliday – St. Louis Cardinals. He hits the ball really hard. He normally gets hot at All-Star Game time, so it just makes sense.

American League

C – Jose Molina – Tampa Bay Rays. All I hear around this town is vote Molina. So I did.

1B – Brett Wallace – Houston Astros. Former Cardinal having a terrible season. Not even sure he’s still in baseball. Perfect pick.

2B – Chris Getz – Kansas City Royals. .216 AVG 1 HR 12 RBIs. Need I say more?

SS – Brendan Ryan – Seattle Mariners. Some of us in St. Louis thought he would be an All Star at one point, so why not vote him as one?

3B – Mike Moustakas – Kansas City Royals. Wanna see if the chants in New York would be booooo or Moooo.

OF – Curtis Granderson – New York Yankees. Hasn’t played much so seems like he’d be perfect for this team. .250 AVG 1 HR 1 RBI.

OF – Kelly Johnson – Tampa Bay Rays. Feel he doesn’t get the attention he deserves in the Majors. Having a good year on a good team. That’s why I voted for him.

OF – Josh Reddick – Oakland A’s. I just want to see if he will shave his beard for the game. I could also work in a Duck Dynasty tie-in here.

Is my ballot not what you expected? I want the National League to win so my St. Louis Cardinals will get home field advantage. Then we can go to the World Series Parade together, deal?