OPINION

By Stan McNeal

updated 4:30 p.m. ET July 5, 2009

First comes the selection of the All-Star teams. Next comes the griping. Even with the rosters bumped to 33 players, I've got my complaints. Here's my top five.

Is anyone watching the Rangers?
No Kevin Millwood. No Ian Kinsler. Both should be on the club, especially Millwood. Tim Wakefield making the team at 42 is a nice story but that doesn't make him deserving. His 4.30 ERA is only 29th-best among A.L. starters.

Millwood has been as big a reason as any for the Rangers' surprising success. His 2.80 ERA is fifth-best and is even more impressive because of the Rangers' hitter-friendly park. Nolan Ryan said he wanted his starters to pitch deep into games, and Millwood has done just that. He is second to Zack Greinke in innings pitched. All Kinsler has done is produce at a pace of 40 homers and 100-plus RBIs. At least he has a chance in the final online vote.

The Dodgers were snubbed, too.
The Cubs had eight representatives last year when they carried the N.L.'s best record into the break. This year, the Dodgers have the best record in the majors but only three All-Stars and just one — backup second baseman Orlando Hudson — who plays in the field. Maybe the players split their votes between Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier, allowing Hunter Pence to gain a spot. Pence's numbers are worthy, but come on. Ethier leads the world in walk-off hits, and Kemp is hitting .303. Like Kinsler, Kemp could still make the club in the final online vote.

What about Trevor?
Mariano Rivera made the A.L. team, at least partly because of his career resume. Brewers closer Trevor Hoffman, however, was left off in favor of his successor in San Diego, Heath Bell. Their numbers are close — Bell is 23 for 24 in save chances with a 1.53, Hoffman 18 for 19 with a 1.93 — but Hoffman has made a bigger impact on his club. Hoffman also happens to be the all-time saves leader.

The wrong Angels pitcher makes it. Someone wasn't paying attention when they named closer Brian Fuentes instead of starter Jered Weaver. Fuentes has three blown saves and his 3.49 ERA is seventh-best among the eight A.L. closers with at least 17 saves. Weaver (8-3, 3.10) was at his best when he was giving the Angels quality outing after quality outing when their rotation was banged up for the season's first two months.

Both managers better hope there's not extra innings.
So should backup catchers Victor Martinez and Brian McCann. Both the A.L. and N.L. went with only two catchers. I really can't fault A.L. manager Joe Maddon for taking rookie reliever Andrew Bailey over catcher Kurt Suzuki as the A's representative. Bailey has had a better first half. With the N.L. having to make at least one injury replacement — starting outfielder Carlos Beltran won't play — Bengie Molina still has a chance to join his brother, Yadier, on the team.

Some credit is due, too

Picking four first basemen in the N.L. was the way to go.
Don't blame Charlie Manuel for adding his own, Ryan Howard, to the team, even though Albert Pujols, Adrian Gonzalez and Prince Fielder are more deserving. First base is that loaded, and the game is in Howard's hometown. Plus, he would not have been in the home run contest if he didn't make the team.

Zobrist has his day.
Rays super-utility man Ben Zobrist was overlooked by fans and players and had to be put on by manager Joe Maddon. At least he's on.

Only one Cub.
As that's all who should have been.

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