The 2010 All-Star Rosters Have Been Announced...What Do You Think???

The MLB All-Star Game rosters have been announced. Here are the players who are going:

National League Starters (with 2010 Topps Card # and retail team set if applicable)

1B-Albert Pujols, Cardinals (#100, STL1)
2B-Chase Utley, Philliesº (#300, PHI8)
3B-David Wright, Mets (#60, NYM1)
SS-Hanley Ramirez, Marlins (#600, FLA1)
OF-Ryan Braun, Brewers (#331, MIL1)
OF-Jason Heyward, Bravesº (#353)
OF-Andre Ethier, Dodgers (#247, LAD8)
C-Yadier Molina, Cardinals (#476, STL14)

National League Pitchers

P-Chris Carpenter, Cardinals (#479, STL11, selected by MGR)
P-Yovani Gallardo, Brewersº (#176, MIL10, selected by MGR)
P-Roy Halladay, Phillies (#200 with Blue Jays, PHI7)
P-Tim Hudson, Braves (#142, ATL15, selected by MGR)
P-Josh Johnson, Marlins (#40, FLA3)
P-Ubaldo Jimenez, Rockies (#607, COL13)
P-Tim Lincecum, Giants (#80, SFG1)
P-Adam Wainwright, Cardinals (#136, STL8)
RP-Jonathan Broxton, Dodgers (#230, LAD5)
RP-Matt Capps, Nationals (#584, WAS13)
RP-Evan Meek, Pirates (selected by MGR)
RP-Arthur Rhodes, Reds (selected by MGR)
RP-Brian Wilson, Giants (#492, SFG13)

National League Reserves

1B-Adrian Gonzalez, Padres (#75, SDP1)
1B-Ryan Howard, Phillies (#590, PHI1, selected by MGR)
2B-Brandon Phillips, Reds (#165, CIN3, selected by MGR)
2B-Martin Prado, Bravesª (#582, ATL14)
3B-Scott Rolen, Reds (#481, CIN10)
SS-Jose Reyes, Metsª (#339, NYM12)
SS-Troy Tulowitzkiº, Rockies (#389, COL1)
INF-Omar Infante, Braves (selected by MGR)
OF-Michael Bourn, Astros (#490, HOU8, selected by MGR)
OF-Marlon Byrd, Cubs (#516, CHC17)
OF-Corey Hart, Brewers (#518, MIL12)
OF-Matt Holliday, Cardinals (#140, STL9)
OF-Chris Young, Diamondbacks (#316, ARI7, selected by MGR)
C-Brian McCann, Braves (#320, ATL7)

National League Final Man Candidates

P-Heath Bell, Padres (#542, SDP15)
OF-Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies (#398, COL8)
1B-Joey Votto, Reds (#48, CIN1)
P-Billy Wagner, Braves (ATL17)
3B-Ryan Zimmerman, Nationals (#561, WAS1)

American League Starters

1B-Justin Morneau, Twins (#360, MIN17)
2B-Robinson Cano, Yankees (#370, NYY9)
3B-Evan Longoria, Rays (#354, TBR1)
SS-Derek Jeter, Yankees (#549, NYY14)
OF-Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners (#125, SEA7)
OF-Josh Hamilton, Rangers (#175, TEX8)
OF-Carl Crawford, Rays (#95, TBR11)
C-Joe Mauer, Twins (#150, MIN1)
DH-Vladimir Guerrero, Rangers (#130 with the Angels, TEX10)

American League Pitchers

P-Clay Buchholz, Red Soxº (#572, BOS6)
P-Trevor Cahill, Athletics (#579, OAK11, selected by MGR)
P-Fausto Carmona, Indians (#467, CLE10, selected by MGR)
P-Phil Hughes, Yankees (#379, NYY4)
P-Cliff Lee, Mariners (#132 with the Phillies, SEA15)
P-Jon Lester, Red Sox (#656, BOS14)
P-David Price, Rays (#225, TBR8)
P-CC Sabathia, Yankees (#57, NYY3, selected by MGR)
RP-Neftali Feliz, Rangers (#235, TEX4)
RP-Mariano Rivera, Yankees (#404, #NYY12)
RP-Joakim Soria, Royals (#448, KCR11, selected by MGR)
RP-Matt Thornton, White Sox (selected by MGR)
RP-Jose Valverde, Tigers (#311 with the Astros)

American League Reserves

1B-Miguel Cabrera, Tigers (#623, DET1)
2B-Dustin Pedroia, Red Soxº (#650, BOS1)
2B-Ian Kinsler, Rangersª (#90, TEX1)
3B-Alex Rodriguez, Yankees (#400, NYY15, selected by MGR)
SS-Elvis Andrus, Rangers (#310, TEX2)
SS-Adrian Beltre, Red Sox (#189 with the Mariners, BOS8)
INF-Ty Wigginton, Orioles (#111, BAL4, selected by MGR)
OF-Jose Bautista, Blue Jays (TOR15)
OF-Torii Hunter, Angels (#385, LAA1)
OF-Vernon Wells, Blue Jays (#159, TOR8, selected by MGR)
C-Victor Martinez, Red Soxº (#30, BOS2)
C-John Buck, Blue Jaysª (#340)
DH-David Ortiz, Red Sox (#369, BOS12)

American League Final Man Candidates

1B-Paul Konerko, White Sox (#638, CWS13)
OF-Nick Swisher, Yankees (#65, NYY8)
OF-Delmon Young, Twins (#468, MIN13)
3B-Michael Young, Rangers (#643, TEX13)
1B-Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox (#295, BOS4)

Notes:
º Injured, will not participate
ºº Elected not to participate
ª Named as replacement

If you notice, not counting those injured, there will be two 34-man rosters here. The reason? A new rule this year allows for one "re-entry" player...somebody who can go leave the game and then possibly later on get back in at another position. Previously, only catchers were allowed to leave the game and be re-inserted later. This is the reason why both Omar Infante (NL) and Ty Wigginton (AL) were selected. Unfortunately, Infante does not have a Topps card either in the base set or the retail sets.

Also, it seems that middle relief pitchers are now (finally) being given more attention for All-Star Game consideration. Too bad that Topps hasn't figured that out when it comes to their cards. None of the three middle relievers selected to participate (Evan Meek and Arthur Rhodes on the NL, and Matt Thornton on the AL) have cards in either the big set or any of the retail sets. This is why I continue to clamor over Topps to start adding middle relief guys and other players onto their products. Maybe this will give them the hint.

On a final note, Clay Buchholz and Yovani Gallardo are now (or will be soon be placed) on the DL. No word on their replacements. Jason Heyward is currently on the DL, but could still be able to play the game.

Let's hear the answers to these questions:

Who do you think should have been chosen that wasn't (not even for the Final Man ballot)?

Of the players selected, who shouldn't be going to the game?

Were the guys you wanted from your team chosen?

If not, then who should have represented your team?

Let the debates begin.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama