NL All-Star picks: Eight to break an unlucky 13-year skid

Thirteen summers ago, Bill Clinton was still in his first term, we danced the Macarena, fans wondered how the Yankees hadn't won any World Series in almost two decades and the National League won the All-Star Game. They haven't won since. Needless to say, the NL is overdue (the Macarena, not so much). Here are the eight position player starters that could help them get there. My NL All-Star picks:

• First base: A no-brainer here. The game is in St. Louis, and the best hitter in baseball plays for St. Louis. Albert Pujols has a huge lead in the voting and is hitting .332 with 30 homers and 77 RBI. That's astounding. Poor Adrian Gonzalez (24 HR) and Prince Fielder (.307, 20 HR, 74 HR) will have to settle for reserve roles. Ryan Howard (20 HR, 60 RBI) deserves some consideration, too. Will be tough on Charlie Manuel to not pick his slugger, too.
• Second base: It's a runaway for the Phillies' Chase Utley (.304, 17 HR, 52 RBI), and there's no shame in that. Orlando Hudson (.297) would be a good pick as the backup. So would the Rockies' Clint Barmes (.282, 9 HR).
• Shortstop: No contest, either. Florida's Hanley Ramirez (.341, 13 HR, 56 RBI) holds a sizable lead over Jimmy Rollins of the Phillies, and with Rollins (.207) struggling, it should stay that way. Jose Reyes of the Mets (.279, 2 HR, 11 SB) has been sub-par as well. If Atlanta's Yunel Escobar (.291, 7 HR) would hustle all the time, he could be the backup. Instead, it will probably be admitted liar Miguel Tejada (to Congress, and about his age). He's hitting .329 with six homers.
• Third base: This is the one position full of guys who won't make the team, but should. Start with youngster Pedro Sandoval (.338, 11 HR, 40 RBI) of the Giants, continue with Ryan Zimmerman of the Nationals (.301, 13 HR, 44 RBI) and move on to Mark Reynolds of the Diamondbacks (21 HR) and Casey Blake of the Dodgers (.287, 11 HR, 48 RBI). But David Wright of the Mets will win easily, despite hitting just five homers so far, possibly thanks to pitcher-friendly Citi Field. Wright is hitting an NL-best .345, however. Zimmerman should make it as a backup, as the Nats must be represented. It would be a real shame is Sandoval isn't selected.
• Catcher: Some home cooking will put the Cardinals' Yadier Molina (.279, 5 HR, 24 RBI) in the game. His brother Benjie Molina (.262, 10 HR, 45 RBI) of the Giants deserves it more. We could have a brother duo, which would be a nice story. Also might be nice to see Houston's Ivan Rodriguez (.249, 7 HR) in the game for the 15th time. With Geovany Soto of the Cubs struggling (.231) for much of the first half, this is a weak position for the NL.
• Outfield: Raul Ibanez of the Phillies, currently on the DL, is the voting leader. That's a great call by the fans on a guy who isn't a household name but is hitting like an MVP candidate (.312, 22 HR, 59 RBI). He should be healthy in a week or two. Ryan Braun (.327, 16 HR, 57 RBI) of the Brewers is in second, and there's no problem there, either. That leaves the third spot, which is a nip-and-tuck race between Carlos Beltran of the Mets and Alfonso Soriano of the Cubs. There should be no contest if you want your vote to matter, as Beltran is hitting more than 100 points higher (.336 vs. .230). But Beltran is hurt. Let's go with the exciting Justin Upton of the Diamondbacks (.320, 14 HR, 45 RBI). Deserving reserves? Check out Matt Kemp of the Dodgers (.309, 10 HR, 41 RBI), Hunter Pence of the Astros (.315, 10 HR, 32 RBI) and Brad Hawpe of the Rockies (.327, 12 HR, 55 RBI). More tough calls for Manuel.

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