I love the All-Star game. At no other point in the season does more discussion take place on player performance, merit, entitlement, etc. on a game that doesn't even matter. Still, I vote. It's a yearly event and I love it.
I'll agree with most of your picks here. I've been very impressed this year with Ryan Ludwick. You said he deserves to be there but you probably won't vote for him. So let me throw you a couple things to sway your vote. Among outfielders in the MLB (min 100 ABs), he has the highest batting average with .336, 3rd in HRs with 11, ranks 11th in RBIs, leads all OFs with a .739 slugging percentage, and is 6th in OBP with .413. To top it off, he hasn't made an error all season.
Soriano has been hot as of late and if he continues he should be there. But please do not vote for Beltran. He is barely hitting .250 with 3 bombs. I know the NL has to have a CF in the All-star game, but it shouldn't be Beltran. Ankiel is by far the better pick. Choose wisely or the NL loses agian this year.
Sorry suzendonut- Chipper is not the first quarter MVP. That honor has to go to Berkman. Although .410 at this point in the season is impressive, Berkman is just 11 points lower and leads Chipper in EVERY other category.
Thanks for the comments guys. Chipper and Berkman are certainly both the talks of the NL and I'm sure both will make the team one way or other.
I'm not voting for Beltran this season. He's not good enough and his numbers last season were just eh as well. It's still carry-over from his 05 play-off performance.
With Ludwick, the numbers are there, but I just don't buy it. One of two things: 1) either he gets into a massive slump between now and then and doesn't deserve to make it, or 2) He continues to keep it up and will deserve to make it and probably will. I just wouldn't vot for him.