All-Star teams and reserves announced.

The starters were named early this afternoon, and the managers, Clint Hurdle and Terry Francona have just released the reserves for both squads.

Here are the starters for the AL...
Catcher: Joe Mauer, Twins

First base: Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox

Second base: Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox

Shortstop: Derek Jeter, Yankees

Third base: Alex Rodriguez, Yankees

Outfield: Josh Hamilton, Rangers

Outfield: Manny Ramirez, Red Sox

Outfield: Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners

Designated hitter: David Ortiz, Red Sox

The American League Reserves:

Pitchers
Scott Kazmir, Rays

George Sherrill, Orioles

Roy Halladay, Blue Jays

Mariano Rivera, Yankees

Jonathan Papelbon, Red Sox

Justin Duchscherer, Athletics

Joe Nathan, Twins

Joakim Soria, Royals

Cliff Lee, Indians

Francisco Rodriguez, Angels

Ervin Santana, Angels

Joe Saunders, Angels
Reserves
J.D. Drew, Red Sox

Jason Varitek, Red Sox

Joe Crede, White Sox

Carlos Quentin, White Sox

Grady Sizemore, Indians

Carlos Guillen, Tigers

Justin Morneau, Twins

Milton Bradley, Rangers

Ian Kinsler, Rangers

Michael Young, Rangers

Dioner Navarro, Rays

My comments: Now there is usually one of two guys who make the team and you can say, that's because his manager is the one making the selections. Joe Torre had a few when he managed the team in the late 90's where he just made off the wall picks. I remember one season he took Ramiro Mendoza and snubbed about 3 guys who should have been starting to take his set up man and took about 9 Yankees in all. Francona has done it this year by taking Jason Varitek. I am a big Varitek fan, I think he handles the pitching staff beautifully and is the true leader of the club. But even I'm not sure about Tek making this team, though on the other hand it is hard to think of another AL catcher who is better overall than Varitek.

Here's the National League team:

Catcher: Geovany Soto, Cubs

First base: Lance Berkman, Astros

Second base: Chase Utley, Phillies

Shortstop: Hanley Ramirez, Marlins

Third base: Chipper Jones, Braves

Outfield: Kosuke Fukudome, Cubs

Outfield: Alfonso Soriano, Cubs

Outfield: Ryan Braun, Brewers

Pitchers
Tim Lincecum, Giants

Aaron Cook, Rockies

Dan Haren, Diamondbacks

Ben Sheets, Brewers

Carlos Zambrano, Cubs

Brandon Webb, Diamondbacks

Ryan Dempster, Cubs

Brian Wilson, Giants

Edinson Volquez, Reds

Kerry Wood, Cubs

Brad Lidge, Phillies

Billy Wagner, Mets

NL Reserves
Brian McCann, Braves

Aramis Ramirez, Cubs

Matt Holliday, Rockies

Dan Uggla, Marlins

Miguel Tejada, Astros

Russell Martin, Dodgers

Nate McLouth, Pirates

Albert Pujols, Cardinals

Ryan Ludwick, Cardinals

Adrian Gonzalez, Padres

Cristian Guzman, Nationals

My comments: Once again we have a manager who tabs a guy an All-Star because he sees him play or in this case pitch every day. Aaron Cook as an all-star? I mean really now Clint, you put Matt Holliday on the team as your representative, I don't think with the season that your team has had you can get more than one player on it. Especially a pitcher, really all Rockie fans have had to cheer about happened on the 4th of July, (that's why Holliday made it, he hit that grand slam that made it 16-15).

Francona put 6 closers on the AS team? I LOVE IT!

Sterling Pingree