All-Star Game Shenanigans

The MLB All-Star rosters have been announced (except for the final spot to be determined by the fans)...and once again, there's plenty of controversy over who did (or did not) get in.  I've got no problem throwing my two cents around, so let me do so for the National League (since that's the league I follow much more closely):

National League Roster:

Starters:

C Yadier Molina St. Louis - There aren't a lot of great catchers this year, McCann probably should have gotten the start over Molina though.

1B Albert Pujols St. Louis - Pujols has been good (especially lately) and is a valid choice.  Joey Votto or Adrian Gonzalez could each have been a starter as well - any of the three deserve it.
2B Martin Prado - Atlanta - I'd start Brandon Phillips here but that's only because I watch the Reds!  I actually haven't seen Prado play much so I can't make much of a judgment here.
3B David Wright NY Mets - A fine choice - no complaints.  Wright and Rolen have both been excellent - but Wright's probably been a bit better.
SS Hanley Ramirez Florida - Fine choice
OF Ryan Braun Milwaukee - Another fine choice
OF Jason Heyward Atlanta (Should NOT be a starter - in fact, probably shouldn't even be an all-star.  Heyward is hitting a mere .251 on the season).  Replacement player:  Andrew McCutcheon - Pirates.
OF Andre Ethier LA Dodgers - Ethier has pretty much done it all for the Dodgers, no complaints.

Pitchers

RHP Jonathan Broxton LA Dodgers
RHP Chris Carpenter St. Louis
RHP Matt Capps Washington
RHP Yovani Gallardo Milwaukee
RHP Roy Halladay Philadelphia
RHP Tim Hudson Atlanta
RHP Ubaldo Jimenez Colorado
RHP Josh Johnson Florida
RHP Tim Lincecum San Francisco
RHP Evan Meek Pittsburgh
LHP Arthur Rhodes Cincinnati
RHP Adam Wainwright St. Louis
RHP Brian Wilson San Francisco

I don't actually have many complaints about the NL's pitcher selections.  Sure, you can nitpick and say maybe Evan Meek doesn't deserve a spot if McCutchen ended up playing OF (as I would have had it) but Meek's been very, very good for a terrible Pittsburgh club. 
Reserves

C Brian McCann Atlanta  - Probably should be the starter over Molina, certainly deserving of an All-Star nod.
1B Ryan Howard Philadelphia - Doesn't deserve a spot over Gonzalez, Pujols, or Votto...but thanks to Manuel being the manager he got one anyhow.
1B Adrian Gonzalez San Diego - Deserving, though it is a shame he's the only San Diego Padre represented on the All-Star team considering the Padres are in first place (and one of the best teams in the National League so far this year).
INF Omar Infante Atlanta - Absolutely does NOT deserve to be an All-Star.  I think there's a couple of bat boys that are better than Omar.  Terrible, terrible pick.
2B Brandon Phillips Cincinnati - Good choice, one of the most prolific hitters on the Reds' this year.
SS Jose Reyes NY Mets - Always a fan favorite, and a great player when healthy.
3B Scott Rolen Cincinnati - Good choice, he or Wright deserved the start this year.
OF Michael Bourn Houston - Well, Houston's gotta have someone right?
OF Marlon Byrd Chi. Cubs - And so does Chicago...
OF Corey Hart Milwaukee - Good choice, Hart's been tearing the cover off the ball!
OF Matt Holliday St. Louis - Really heated up toward the end of June, probably doesn't deserve to be an All-Star over McCutchen though (but should be ahead of Heyward who's starting).
OF Chris Young Arizona - Gotta have a D-back, Young's probably the best on the team.

Injured All-Stars:
2B Chase Utley Philadelphia - Both deserving, a shame they can't participate.
SS Troy Tulowitzki Colorado

Obviously, the biggest snub is Joey Votto...and the biggest head scratcher is Omar Infante.  The rest of the team at least has some merit (though Heyward shouldn't be starting).  It does look like the National League has a formidable pitching staff though...perhaps this will be the year they break the AL's winning streak.

Photo source:
ESPN