My All-Star picks don't differ too much from the fans'

The highlight of the All-Star Game will be Barry Bonds and Ken Griffey Jr. starting in the same outfield for the National League, the future and would-have-been home run kings, now second and seventh on the all-time list, with a combined 1,335 home runs and 27 All-Star selections. This is the first time they will be in the same starting lineup, and here's hoping that manager Tony La Russa hits them back-to-back in the order.

The best part of seeing these two legends in the same lineup is that each of them made it there on merit, not on a pure popularity vote, even this late into their careers. Bonds and Griffey rank 1-3, respectively, among NL outfielders in walks, slugging and OPS. They deserve to start. (By the way, where are all of their successors? Only one NL outfielder under 30 has outhomered Bonds or Griffey this year: Adam Dunn.)

Indeed, the fans once again did a solid job in picking the starters, which only leads to this question: Why can't they be trusted to elect a starting pitcher for each team (the manager could pick a replacement if that pitcher was unavailable due to improper rest going into the game) and a DH for the AL (the DH doesn't start in NL parks, but why not elect one to the roster, anyway?). So, nice job, people. I only have a few quibbles with your picks. Presenting my 2007 All-Stars (my pick jibes with the fans' unless otherwise noted):

American League

	Brian Roberts' all-around ability often goes unnoticed. Jim Rogash/WireImage.com
	RELATED • LUFT: Reds need to keep Griffey around • LUFT: The biggest All-Star snubs • DONOVAN: Fans mystify with Bonds selection

C: Victor Martinez, Cleveland
Might be the first AL catcher with 120 RBIs since Yogi Berra in 1954 -- and only the fourth ever in the league (Berra, Rudy York, Bill Dickey).

1B: David Ortiz, Boston
It's puzzling to see left-handers neutralize him so much this year (0 home runs, .337 slugging), but he's still among the most feared clutch hitters in baseball.

2B: Brian Roberts, Baltimore
Superb baserunner gets the edge over Placido Polanco of Detroit (the fans' choice) and surprisingly good rookie Dustin Pedroia of Boston.

SS: Carlos Guillen, Detroit
The Yankees' Derek Jeter was the fans' pick, but only Alex Rodriguez has a better OPS than Guillen among AL infielders.

3B: Alex Rodriguez, New York
He has reclaimed the title of Best Player in Baseball, putting up what would be career highs in slugging and on-base percentages.

OF: Magglio Ordonez, Detroit
All-fields masher will make a run at Earl Webb's 76-year-old record of 67 doubles. No one has hit 60 doubles since 1936.

OF: Vlaidmir Guerrero, Los Angeles
Power plus high-contact rate make him one of the most dangerous outs in the game. With runners in scoring position, he's hitting .352 with just five strikeouts in 88 at-bats.

OF: Torii Hunter, Minnesota
Career .269 hitter is having monster walk year, batting .299, including .340 with runners in scoring position. He's my only quibble with the fans' outfield, which included Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki.

SP: Dan Haren, Oakland
He started the the season 0-2 -- while allowing one earned run. Since then he's 9-0 and still hasn't allowed more than three earned runs in a start.

RP: J.J. Putz, Seattle
He's quietly putting up an historic season: as many saves (23) as baserunners allowed, unscored upon on the road and only three hits (all singles) allowed with runners on.