Finally got around to filling in my All-Star Ballot - I think I voted about 20 times. Here’s the sample ballot:
The AL side’s not particularly controversial, I think. Clearly there’s quite a few votes for Boston players, but seriously I think Tek’s been the best AL catcher, Damon’s been great, and Ortiz is clearly the best DH. (What, you were thinking Raffy Palmeiro?) Even Manny on a down season is still better than the other choices methinks - Ichiro’s also hitting somewhat subpar, and Matsui had that godawful stretch last month. Yeah, A-Rod’s probably having a better season than Blalock, but A-Rod’s such a lock for that place anyway I might as well go for a player I enjoy watching. What the hell, in a couple of ballots I voted for Brandon Inge at 3B just because he’s been overachieving.
If you’re reading this and haven’t voted though, please help get rid of the ridiculousness that is having Tino Martinez as the first choice at 1B. I think even Tino would be embarrassed to be picked over Teixeira.
On the NL side: the NL catcher spot was the one that really seemed weak to me - Piazza and Lo Duca currently lead the votes, but really no NL catcher has impressed me that much this season. And I think Clint Barmes did really well up till his mysterious Todd-Helton-isn’t-saying-a-word injury, so what the hey, it’s not like Izturis or Eckstein, the current vote leaders, have been that great.
The NL outfield position, on the other hand, is stacked - Abreu is a lock, but who else to pick? I ended up cycling votes between Dunn, Beltran, Junior Griffey, Andruw Jones, Carlos Lee, Pat Burrell, and Reggie Sanders.