Here's Your Lineups for the 2009 All-Star Game...

OK, who already placed their votes for the last member for each league in next week's All Star Game in St. Louis?

I have. I won't say whom I voted except to say that they are indeed deserving of this honor. I know one should've either been voted in or selected prior to this "final vote." On one league, there are two that should've been selected already. Hoping for an injury replacement? Let's not get that carried away...

As for those who already made the All-Star cut, I must admit to some standing ovations for some of the elected and some head scratching selections. The specifics are as follows:

WELL-DESEVRED SELECTIONS: The voters have spoken and they picked some players that deserve their spot in the lineup. In the American League, I am very happy for Jason Bay of the Boston Red Sox and Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers on becoming starters. For Bay to be elected as a starter is an honor for the years he toiled as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates. At Fenway, Bay has become the latest catalyst for the AL East-leading Red Sox and this vote reflects his performance rather than a popular vote.

The same idea goes for Hamilton and Hanley Ramirez of the Florida Marlins in the National League. These two guys are young leaders on their respective clubs and are driving these clubs in the early parts of their pennant races. Hamilton represents true power at the plate, as demonstrated in last year's Home Run Derby. This season, Hamilton has been in the driver's seat for the emerging Rangers as they try to claim their first AL West title in years.

Ramirez is considered one of the best all-around players in the NL. Reputation helped voters select the young Marlins Shortstop, as it should. With Ramirez in the lineup, expect some excitement out on the field and at the plate since he is an exciting ballplayer to watch.

HUH? Among the National League starters, there were two selections that were simply head scratchers - or, we didn't see it coming. The NL's catcher Yadler Molina of the St. Louis Cardinals is a fine player. He has become one of the steadiest guys behind the plate. As for his starting selection - whoa! I expected some other guys, but we'll definitely take Molina. His work ethic is outstanding and backs it up as one of the leaders on the NL Central-leading and All-Star host ball club.

The starting selection of the Philadelphia Phillies' Outfielder Raul Ibanez is a huge surprise. Perhaps his selection was due to the fans and everyone else passing up on the Los Angeles Dodgers' Manny Ramirez in part to his 50-game suspension over performance enhancing drugs. Nonetheless, Ibanez's selection is justified as the Phillies' relative newcomer brought in to solidify a repeat run for the club's third World Series Championship. Not to mention Ibanez fits perfectly with a club loaded with Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and Shane Victorino. No Manny? No problem - Ibanez will give you a good show in St. Louis.

ON THE PINE: Both leagues have great backups for this All-Star Game. To my surprise, Ben Zorbist of the Tampa Bay Rays made the AL squad over his teammate Carlos Pena. However, Pena is a first baseman, which made things difficult for Joe Maddon to add his man over Justin Morneau of the Minnesota Twins, Kevin Youkilis of the Boston Red Sox and Mark Teixeira of the New York Yankees. More on Pena later...

Another surprise by Maddon was selecting Jason Bartlett as the backup shortstop for the AL. When Bartlett was on the Twins, he just seemed out of place under Ron Gardenhire's game plan. Now, he has found a home in St. Pete and with the defending AL Champs. I'm still amazed how much Bartlett grew in a matter of two seasons.

On Charlie Manuel's bench, there is a true wealth of top shelf talent on the NL squad. One thing I must make clear: Hunter Pence of the Houston Astros is not an afterthought. Sure, Manny Ramirez has been left off for reasons known to everyone, but this young Texan with a batting average over .300 and a strong presence at bat will make you forget about "someone being himself" next Tuesday night. Call it a coming out party for Pence - I believe he'll be on our radars for a long time.

MY STARTERS? Going through the pitchers for the All-Star squads, Managers Manuel and Maddon carefully selected the best arms in the game this season. Yet, I do not envy their thought process when it comes down to the most coveted starting assignment for a pitcher. If I were in these guys shoes, my AL choice would be clear: Zack Greinke of the Kansas City Royals. You want to reward outstanding feats from the first part of the season over a pitching clinic by a superstar. The aim of the All-Star is to celebrate baseball's best of the year. This fits Greinke to a tee! The amazing start and maintaining a 2.00 ERA through today are reasons he should start for the AL.

If I back away from Greinke, of course I would select Roy Halladay of the Toronto Blue Jays.

However, my NL starting assignment is an easy choice: The Colorado Rockies' Jason Marquis. For someone who was thrown away by the Chicago Cubs, having the most wins in baseball is quite an accomplishment. In the absence of Jeff Francis due to a long-term injury, Marquis assumed the former's role as the team's ace starter and has risen to occasion. Imagine if Francis was healthy and in the rotation with Marquis - the Rockies would be a team to be reckoned with from the mound.

My backup choice would be Matt Cain of the San Francisco Giants for his overall record and his ERA.

THE FINAL VOTE: Though Ian Kinsler of the Texas Rangers is leading right now, I would argue instead for Carlos Pena as the AL's last member of their squad. Again, I ask that you look at the stats carefully. I understand that choosing Kinsler over Pena is because of what he has contributed to the AL West-leading the Rangers. It's a tough choice - but, I get it.

In the NL, another player underneath a lot of radars has the lead in the Final Vote: Pedro Sandoval of the San Francisco Giants. Of course, I would argue for both Mark Reynolds of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Shane Victorino of the Philadelphia Phillies. Not to diminish the Venezuelan "Kung Fu Panda's" contribution of the surging San Francisco Giants, but I've seen Reynolds and Victorino in action and I can attest to their worthiness to play in St. Louis. Reynolds gives you bat strength and prowess at third base, while the Flyin' Hawaiian gives you absolute excitement. Still, it's your vote. You choose who makes the final cut on the All-Star squads next Tuesday.