Annual All-Star debate Injuries, expanded roster open way for n

The list of players missing from this season's All-Star game might be just as impressive as the rosters themselves.

Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling are hurt. So are Vladimir Guerrero, Mike Piazza, Jeff Kent and Trevor Hoffman.

Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine have struggled all season. Sammy Sosa will probably get voted in, although his numbers don't warrant the trip.

In the American League, reigning MVP Miguel Tejada got off to a terrible start. Derek Jeter was sidelined six weeks after dislocating his shoulder on opening day. And Bernie Williams is still out with an injured knee.

With rosters expanded from 30 to 32 spots this year -- perhaps enough to avoid another embarrassing tie -- plenty of room is left for new names. But some of the choices are never easy: Jim Edmonds or Andruw Jones in center field for the National League; Alfonso Soriano or Bret Boone at second base for the AL.

Remember, every team must be represented, and each All-Star squad is to have 12 pitchers.

Baseball's annual midsummer argument is on.

"It's real tough picking the players. There are some really loaded positions," said Dusty Baker of the Chicago Cubs, who will manage the NL team. "There must be five or six catchers having good years, and second base -- the same thing. It's not easy."

Players have a vote now, too. And in the start of a two-year experiment that has caused much debate, the league that wins will get home-field advantage in the World Series.

"There are a lot of deserving guys who are out there every year, and you almost get to play Santa Claus by putting them where they should be," AL manager Mike Scioscia said. "The flip side is, no matter how many picks you have, there's always a cutoff line where there's somebody deserving who is not selected -- unless you're going to have a 50-man roster."

AP's All-Stars

Without regard to fan balloting, here are our choices for the 74th All-Star game at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago on July 15. The actual teams will be announced tonight. Statistics are through Friday's games.

American League

First Base: Leading the majors with 28 homers and 92 RBIs, Toronto's Carlos Delgado is the first-half MVP. The backup is New York's Jason Giambi, who has rebounded from a slow start.

Second Base: Seattle's Boone (70 RBIs) barely gets the starting nod over the Yankees' Soriano thanks to stellar defense.

Shortstop: This might be the best chance for Texas' Alex Rodriguez (21 homers, three errors) to win a game that means something. Defense also gives him a slight edge on Boston's Nomar Garciaparra. Tejada and Jeter are left out.

Third Base: Minnesota's Corey Koskie (.397 on-base percentage, 13 HRs, 53 RBIs, five errors) is quietly having a fine season. He wins a tight race with Hank Blalock (.334 batting average) of the Rangers. Anaheim's Troy Glaus just misses.

Catcher: New York's Jorge Posada makes his fourth straight trip. Boston's Jason Varitek (.306 batting average, 15 HRs, 50 RBIs) earns his first as a reserve.

Outfield: Manny Ramirez of the Red Sox starts in left field, Toronto's Vernon Wells (80 RBIs) in center and Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki (.346 batting average) in right. Baltimore's unheralded Melvin Mora leads the league in hitting (.350) and on-base percentage (.450) and ranks eighth in slugging (.572). Other backups include Anaheim's Garret Anderson (71 RBIs), Kansas City's Carlos Beltran, Tampa Bay's Aubrey Huff and Detroit's Dmitri Young. Cleveland's Milton Bradley is a tough omission.

Designated Hitter: Seattle's 40-year-old Edgar Martinez (17 HRs, 59 RBIs) has long been the league's best DH. Frank Thomas (20 HRs, .582 slugging percentage) also makes it from the hometown White Sox for the first time since 1997.

Starting Pitchers: Chicago's Esteban Loaiza (11-3, 2.18 ERA) gets the start in front of the Windy City fans. At age 40, Seattle's Jamie Moyer makes his first All-Star team and Yankees ace Roger Clemens his last. Toronto's Roy Halladay (12-2), Oakland's Mark Mulder, Boston's Pedro Martinez, New York's David Wells, Cleveland's C.C. Sabathia and Seattle's Gil Meche are also selected.

Relievers: Despite early season stints on the disabled list, New York's Mariano Rivera and Anaheim's Troy Percival are still the most reliable closers in the league. Brendan Donnelly (0.42 ERA) of the Angels makes it for his super setup work.

National League

First Base: Colorado's consistent Todd Helton earns the start, backed up by Milwaukee's Richie Sexson (23 HRs) and Philadelphia's Jim Thome (21 HRs).

Second Base: Montreal's Jose Vidro (.415 on-base percentage) is the only choice because Houston's Kent is on the disabled list with tendinitis in his left wrist.

Shortstop: Edgar Renteria of the Cardinals (.331 batting average, 59 RBIs) is one of baseball's most underrated players. Florida's Alex Gonzalez (12 HRs, 53 RBIs) wins the reserve role with a breakout season -- and he can shift to second if needed. Atlanta sparkplug Rafael Furcal (20 errors) and Montreal's Orlando Cabrera just miss at a surprisingly competitive position.

Third Base: Mike Lowell (72 RBIs) of the Marlins is tied for the league lead with 26 homers, and St. Louis' Scott Rolen is the backup.

Catcher: Javy Lopez's 23 homers for Atlanta secure the start. Florida's Ivan Rodriguez also makes it, and Jason Kendall (.391 on-base percentage) represents Pittsburgh.

Outfield: San Francisco's Barry Bonds starts in left, St. Louis' Edmonds (26 HRs) in center and Atlanta's Gary Sheffield (68 RBIs) in right. The reserves are Colorado's Preston Wilson (76 RBIs), Arizona's Luis Gonzalez, Cincinnati's Austin Kearns, Atlanta's Andruw Jones and Cliff Floyd of the Mets. Sosa (12 HRs, 71 Ks) is snubbed because of a prolonged slump, not the cork in his bat.

Designated Hitter: Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols is chasing the Triple Crown with a .377 batting average, 25 HRs and 77 RBIs.

Starting Pitchers: Despite three straight losses, Dodgers ace Kevin Brown (10-4, 2.30 ERA) is awarded the start -- provided the lower abdominal muscle he strained Thursday night is all right. Joining him on the staff are San Francisco's Jason Schmidt (2.14 ERA), Cubs strikeout artists Kerry Wood and Mark Prior, St. Louis' Woody Williams, Florida rookie Dontrelle Willis (8-1, 2.13 ERA), Philadelphia's Randy Wolf and San Diego's Jake Peavy.

Relievers: Los Angeles' Eric Gagne (29 saves) and Atlanta's John Smoltz (31 saves) return to the Midsummer Classic. Lefty closer Billy Wagner and setup man Octavio Dotel (6-3, 1.99 ERA) represent Houston's dominant bullpen.