How can you smile at a time like this, Joe? *sniff* (Getty Images)

Yesterday we said “Happy trails!” to one of the classiest guys to ever lace up skates. After 20 seasons in the NHL (with the same franchise, no less), Joe Sakic of the Colorado Avalanche called it a day. Sadness!

A native of Burnaby, BC, Sakic was chosen 15th overall by Quebec (NORDS!) in the 1987 NHL draft and made his debut with the team in October of 1988. The list of accomplishments over the next two decades would describe any hockey player’s dream career: two Stanley Cups with Colorado (1996 and 2001), Conn Smythe and Lady Byng winner, member of Canada’s Gold-winning men’s hockey team at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, 16 straight seasons as captain for Quebec/Colorado, 8th all-time in NHL points scored (1,641)

It’s a shame that Joe couldn’t call it a career under better circumstances. His final season was plagued with nasty injuries and the Avalanche crumbled. We probably won’t see him on the ice for the 2010 Vancouver Games. I’m keeping my fingers crossed hoping he’ll be there in another capacity, and I don’t mean ticket holder.

So enjoy our final tribute to the cuteness that is Joe Sakic – at least until he makes the Hockey Hall of Fame – after the jump.

The hair was indeed great, but is Joe’s character that we will remember him for, on and off the ice: classy, stoic, hard-working, dignified. Of course, what everyone really remembers about Joe is not the clutch goals, or the awards, or the gold medal. It’s the handoff – when Captain Joe accepted the 2001 Stanley Cup from Darth Bettman and handed it immediately to beloved championship-hungry veteran Ray Bourque. If you don’t get the least bit choked up after watching the final 90 seconds of this, you are made of stone.

Thanks, Joe! We miss you already!

Well, it’s all over, including the shouting. Voting in the Final Vote contest has ended and the results have been tabulated. This year’s All Stars, after days of furious campaigning (more on that later) are Philadelphia center fielder Shane Victorino (and his million kilowatt smile) and Detroit Third Baseman Brandon Inge. (This lady is convinced that Inge is actually thirteen years old and potentially ineligible to work, much less in the Majors, but that is neither here nor there.)

Victorino finished with the greatest amount of votes for any single player in the history of the Final Vote campaign with 15.6 million. (The previous record holder was Evan Longoria with nine million. Once again, the Phillies roll to victory over the Rays. Suck it, Tampa.)

Here in Philadelphia, you couldn’t swing Ryan Howard’s bat without running into a campaign designed to generate votes for Victorino. On Tuesday, announcer Tom McCarthy led a rally in Center City. The Phillies ball girls started wearing Hawaiian shirts during games. Just today, at least two Phillies ball girls were handing out leis and ‘Vote for Victorino’ signs while walking around 18th and Market in grass skirts. Heck, one of our local sports talk stations sent three listeners down to Citizen’s Bank Park, where they were tasked with doing nothing but voting for Victorino for 48 straight hours. My own husband commandeered his interns for the last ten minutes of voting and directed them to do nothing but vote. Heck, I’ve been resisting the urge to tag this post with #votevictorino, I’ve typed that hashtag into Twitter so much. (I’m not alone.)

It worked. Shane will be joining Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Raul Ibanez in St. Louis, and this particular lady couldn’t be happier about it.

Of course, that doesn’t mean I’m happy with the Phillies. Pedro Martinez? What are they thinking? They do know that he has a tear in his labrum you could march the Phanatic through, right? They do know he’s too banged up for even the Mets, right? They know his last truly effective pitching year was in 2004, and there are even swaths of that season that are questionable?

Sure, the scout reported that he was throwing at 88-91 MPH. That’s great. I want to know how many of those pitches he threw before his arm flew off and he threw out his back. There’s injury prone and then there’s Pedro Martinez, and the last thing the Phillies rotation needs is an aging prima donna who hurts himself getting up in the morning.

Fortunately, Jayson Stark reports that the Phillies have at least partially come to their senses and asked Pedro to throw for them again. Pedro refused, because clearly the world is beating down his door. Cross your fingers that the deal is off, or they’re going to hear me cursing all the way down in the Dominican Republic.

My friend Sarah is a big basketball and football fan, but as long as I’ve known her she’s never been particularly interested in baseball. This year she’s decided to change that. In Part I, Sarah explained how she chose the Braves as her team.  After the jump, she explains why being a baseball fan in general is turning out to be easier than a Braves fan in particular, and how she’s slowly overcoming her fear of being hit by a ball.

At the end of May I started the summer schedule at my job, which is 12pm to 8pm, with about an hour and a half commute, so I don’t get home till around 9:30 even if I come straight home. As a result, I miss a lot of baseball games; plus, I discovered shortly after I wrote my last post that the Braves do not play on TBS anymore. It has made it tough to watch the actual games, but many nights when I come home I turn on the MLB network and catch up. Also, every morning on my way to work I listen to the ESPN Baseball Today podcast. One week I didn’t get to listen to the baseball podcast and that totally threw me off. I felt so lost. I am on vacation as I’m writing this and the same thing is happening.

When I began writing this post things didn’t look so good for the Braves but then they just won three against the Phillies. That has to be one the most important things have learned in becoming a Braves and a baseball fan: that tomorrow is a new day and the standings can change in a blink of an eye. Yeah, I know, totally clichéd.

I was hit in the head at a college game in Mississippi when I was 19 (I am currently 31) and since then I have been horrified of baseballs. I tried to go to a Brooklyn Cyclone game and I only lasted two innings. [Editor's Note: I was the guilty party who took Sarah to that Cyclones game. This was a serious phobia.] Still, at the beginning of the season I sent out an email to my friends to see if they would like to go see the Mets and Braves play at CitiField in May, but in typical fashion I never bought the tickets. The day before the series was to start I decided I should just go by myself. So I bought tickets to left field, knowing that I could only get hit by a home run ball. Derek Lowe pitched against Johan Santana . It was a pitchers’ duel till the Braves finally ran away with the game in the fifth. They won 8-3.

Oh my word, it was so much fun, however, I felt like a baseball fan but not really a Braves fan. That is what I am discovering: that I just really like baseball. When I am a particular team’s fan, I get so emotionally involved that I can’t really enjoy watching the game. I like watching teams play other than the Braves because I feel like I can just enjoy and not stress out about how many games they will be behind the Phillies if they lose. But hopefully I will learn to relax and enjoy the beauty of Chipper Jones’s swing and Derek Lowe’s pitching. I know, so clichéd.

Well, I’m not a big cycling fan, but I figured there had to be hotties racing in this year’s Tour de France.  So, I went on a mini-mission to find some hot boys to share with you.  Did you know there are a lot of cyclists entered in this year’s race?  I decided to pick a few and let you be the judge.

Hop on your bike, and follow me after the jump!

First, I’d like to introduce you to Andy Schleck of Luxembourg.  I wouldn’t call him hot, just cute.  It’s the baby face.

Not a bad looking guy! He has that baby face look going, which isn't a bad thing!

Hey there, Shlecky! Not lookin bad!

He looks really young here, but he is only 24!

Up next we head to Canada to meet the lone Canadian racing this year, Ryder Hesjedal.

Ryder is the only Canadian rider to qualify for the Tour de France this year, eh!

Don't you just love seeing a boy smile while he's being athletic? It makes me melt!

Ryder is hard at work in this picture!

Now I bring you the youngest American cyclist doing the Tour this year, Tyler Farrar.

Not only is he cute, he's a red-head!

Tyler's just chillin by this nice car! I bet he'd win the Tour de France if he rode that!

I'm not a fan of the long hair or the earring, but he's still a cutie. He reminds me of someone, but I can't figure it out.

Finally, we have a Tour veteran from the USA, George Hincapie.

We'll start out with some shirtless photos. Always a plus!

I saw this picture, and I had to include it! Lookin' good, George, lookin' good!

George is ready to race!

Ok, so there were a few of my picks. Notice, I left off Lance Armstrong because we all know what he looks like!  It was hard to get a good look at all the guys, so if you can think of a hot cyclist let us know in the comments.  And as always, photographic evidence is always welcome!

While many things in sports occurred this fine holiday weekend including some tragedy (RIP McNair), obviously the record-breaking performance by Swiss gent Roger Federer at this year’s Wimbledon tourney, along with a vindicating answer back from last year’s loss to her sister by Serena Williams were the talk of the water coolers this morning.

Since there isn’t too terribly much to say regarding these two LEGENDS, I’ll be brief.

Serena Willams. Won her 11th Grand Slam singles title and her third Wimbledon (hadn’t won since 2003 and was defeated last year by her sister Venus). Blew through the first four rounds and the quarterfinals and defeated each opponent in only two sets each, and three sets in the semifinals against Elena Dementieva. Beat sister Venus in just two sets, 7-6 and 6-2. YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!

Oh that face. See that face? That is the face of crazy victory and some records being broken.

Roger Federer. Won his 15th Grand Slam singles title, putting him past Pete Sampras’ record of 14 which he tied at this year’s French Open. He also partook in the LONGEST set recorded in Grand Slam history of 30 games in his 16-14 victory over Andy Roddick. The entire Roddick-Federer match was also the longest singles final recorded with 77 games total. The grand tally of this amazing defeat was 5-7, 7-6, 7-6, 3-6, 16-14. Wow.

So there you have it. Those are my heroes for this week. Stay tuned for the rest of July’s heroes as the Ladies… bring you All Star predictions and fun from the Home Run Derby!

It’s that time of years, folks, when we celebrate the birth of America by stuffing our faces full of barbecue and ogling explosions in the sky.

We here at Ladies…have our own hot date with some marching bands and sparklers. (Not at the same time, kids. Practice safe parading.) As such, we’re taking a bit of a break to celebrate America, apple pie, moms and baseball.

And good looking men doing delightful things involving sports.

Happy Birthday, America. Here, have Mike Rowe singing the National Anthem at a Bowie BaySox game.

This week's theme is NOT: hedgehogs, first aid, or Beatrix Potter characters.

Theme Thursday makes a triumphant return with our first “themed” Theme Thursday, in honor of the Wimbeldon tournament currently underway.  Which means this week’s answer is a little more complicated then just “they’re all tennis players,” okay?  I won’t promise it’s as complicated as the last round, which Dakota ultimately won, but it wouldn’t be fun if it was too easy.

Let’s begin, shall we?

Roger Federer

Rafael Nadal

Goran Ivanisevic

Have at it in the comments!

So I know we all get excited when baseball season is underway.  We love watching our hotties play and our teams do well.  For me, when my beloved Orioles start to suck again, it can be hard to devote my time to following the team.  That is why I have come to love the mid-season call-up.  Trust me, I know who the hotties are on the team, but I’m curious about those boys in the minors.  I know names and who is supposed to be good, but I don’t necessarily know their faces.  So I always look forward to a new face in the clubhouse.

After the jump, I’ve hand selected some drool-worthy hotties. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

First up…

Nolan is my new Oriole love. He caught my eye with his awesome play and kept it with his stellar looks!

This O's Q&A at ESPN Zone was Nolan's first appearance in the Baltimore community. I was there, and he was looking 10 kinds of hot!

This is another Q&A picture, but I couldn't help myself! I like him without a hat, and he's uber hot when he smiles!

This is Nolan getting a hug from Dave Trembley after his first career walk-off home run. Quick fact: Nolan's first career HR came off of Mariano Rivera! No other player can say that!

Garrett was traded from the O's to the Cubs and then to the Mariners this past offseason. I was pretty bummed!

While I'm not a huge fan of facial hair, I'll take whatever I can get from Garrett! How can you not love a man who appreciates tennis?

Gotta love the messy hair! He's so adorable!

This is one of my all-time favorite pics of Garrett. It just so happens that it was taken with my camera!

I have no idea what this is from, but I think Nick looks pretty hot!

I love this picture for two reasons. 1) Nick looks like he is deathly afraid of the camera/cameraman. 2) He reminds me of Ace from Real World: Paris. Don't tell me you didn't find Ace hot!

I went to the Cardinals/Mets game last week to check out Citi Field. Instead, I ended up checking out Nick Evans! What a cutie!?

Who wouldn't kill to be the meat in a Nick Evans/David Wright sandwich? This was a doubly delicious photo!

Please tell me that this isn't a boy who doesn't know he's hot! I see you, Gio, and you are fine!

I was under the impression that all the hot pitchers had left Oakland. Guess I was wrong!

So us ladies aren't the only ones who want to give Gio a big hug? Gotta love that smile!

Even when he's not smiling, Gio is looking damn good! Yay for hot pitchers back with the A's!

Hey, it’s my nation’s birthday today! We’re …old! Today – if the weather and my second sinus attack in a week clears – I’ll be joining my fellow Canadians enjoying BBQ, drinking beer (not Molson), and rubbing red face paint off my tired children’s cheeks as I grumble to Mr. Bee about how we shouldn’t have stayed out late watching the fireworks when we have to get up for work in the morning.

Some random facts about Canada:

• We are actually 142 years old. 142 is the new 122.
• We’re not constitutionally required to like Nickelback.
• I don’t think our prime minister’s hair has ever moved…ever!

Today we’re showing our True Patriot Love by rolling out our favourite Canucks on the mound and at the plate (or in the case of Russell Martin, behind the plate). So be your most polite, apologetic self, grab a double-double and join us after the jump.

You know we have to start with New Westminster, BC’s Justin Morneau.

Trail BC’s Jason Bay

From Scarbor-arbor-ough, Ontario, George Kottaras (I feel great shame for having a crush on him)

Representing East York, Ont. on the West Coast, it’s Russell Martin!

Victoria, BC’s Rich Harden

Sechelt, BC’s Ryan Dempster

Navan, ON’s Erik Bedard

Toronto’s Jesse Crain

For CuteSports, Vancouver’s R.J. Swindle in Swindle-licious minor league uni

Mississauga, ON’s Shawn Hill (yeah, see what I did there? BRING BACK OUR EXPOS!)

And from Tay Creek, New Brunswick – Matt Stairs!

Happy Canada Day!

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It’s that time again! July 14 marks the 80th All Star Game between the National League and the American League, and we the people get to vote who goes (quick, go vote if you haven’t already – polls close Thursday!) Here are the Ladies…  lists of our best of the best and some whys…

Buffalita

American League:
1B: Mark Teixeira (NYY). He’s a newbie to the team and he had a bit of a rough start, but he’s been climbing back up for me lately. Just need to see some more power hitting.

Catcher: Jason Varitek (BOS). Every New York bone in my body says no, but come on. The man is insane, and if I were routing for the AL to win, he’s an obvious choice over anyone else.

Outfield: Ken Griffey Jr. (SEA). I loved him 20 years ago, and I love that he’s back with Seattle again. Just love him period. Plus, he’s been to nearly every All Star game since 1990 (or at least most of them!)

Outfield: Grady Sizemore (CLE). He’s cute, he’s good. It’s just that simple, folks.

Yes that is all I picked for AL. My heart and my knowledge somewhat belongs to the NL lately anyways.

National League:
1B: Albert Pujols (STL). Duh.

2B: Chase Utley (PHI). Again, New York bones say no. But if I want the NL to actually win…

SS: Hanley Ramirez (FLA). He’s young, he hits, he fields, he’s super promising for years to come. I dig.

3B: David Wright (NYM). No he has not been hitting strong more recently. Yet somehow his BABIP (Batting Average on Balls In Play) leads the NL with an absurd .457. Yet how many strikeouts does he have? Yeah. Still love him. He’s my man.

Catcher: Brian McCann (ATL). Consistently at the top for NL catchers, and he can hit. Good enough for me.

Outfield: Carlos Beltran (NYM). If he ever feels better, the man is obviously incredible. Got a couple of golden gloves, couple of silver sluggers…

Outfield: Adam Dunn (WAS). Usually a decent power hitter. Good fielder too. Yes I could have gone with Ibanez but I didn’t want to, so there. Plus plenty of Mets fans are mad that we don’t have him.

Outfield: Milton Bradley (CHC). JUST KIDDING!!!!! LOLZ

Outfield: Alfonso Soriano (CHC). I have a soft spot for the Cubs, and I loved Soriano back when I was an avid Yankee fan. Not a stellar hitter this year, but none the less, I’m picking him so shut up.

CuteSports

AL
(admittedly, I’m an NL gal and my knowledge of the AL is limited)

1B – Russell Branyan, SEA
Not only do I have a lot of love for Mr. 3TO (3 true outcomes) from his time as a Brewer, but he’s absolutely broken out with Seattle. A guy who was basically a bench player used for PH has made himself an invaluable part of this club. And I’m a sucker for that.

2B – Ian Kinsler – TEX
I just think his overall numbers overshadow the others. Though his BA is lower, he adds the HR and SB and I’ve heard about how well he’s doing, which means he’s attracting notice from the media, since otherwise, I’d never know who he is.

SS – Nick Punto – MIN
I have no reason. I try to give small midwest clubs some love.

3B – Brandon Inge – DET
17 HR, 49 RBI – I like offense

C – Hottie Joe Mauer – MIN
A pretty face, a cute butt and flirting with .400. He’s in!

OF – Jason Bay – BOS
Nelson Cruz – TEX (former Brewer prospect)
Carl Crawford – TB (38 effin’ SB!? My whole team has like half that!)

NL

1B – Prince Fielder – MIL
I’ll admit to being a homer. But Prince also has 73 RBI (which, until Pujols hit two HR tonight, led the league.) Plus, the game’s in St. Louis and it’s clear Albert will get the start, so I’m giving my guys as much love as possible.

2B – Chase Utley – PHI

SS – Hanley Ramirez – FLA
I was afraid for us every time he came to the plate. He made our pitching look silly. He’s kicking ass.

3B – Mark Reynolds – ARI

C – Bengie Molina – SF
Because wouldn’t it be funny if Bengie got the start over Yadi in Yadi’s home park?

OF – Ryan Braun – MIL
Michael Bourn – HOU
Mike Cameron – MIL Cam’s had a hell of a defensive season and here in his 14th year his strikeouts are way down and his plate discipline has really made a difference for the team.

Lady Bee

I tend to base my voting on the premise of “How many Yankees can I vote for that aren’t Alex Rodriguez?” Shameful, I know. But here’s a couple of highlights from my submission:

(SS) Derek Jeter – New York Yankees

This will no doubt get me shunned by a few of my beloved Ladies, but I don’t even know how I can fill out an All-Star ballot online and not vote for my second husband, Derek Sanderson Jeter. And yes, I am aware of his current regular season stats in comparison to other shortstops in the American League. But I couldn’t imagine an All-Star game without him. Face it – the man has had an outstanding career. He’s fun to watch. I still smile over that stolen base at the ‘08 ASG in The House That Ruth Built.

I know there’s an excellent argument to be made over this one. But this pick is not about picking the “familiar” player – it’s about being a huge fan of Derek Jeter.

(Outfield) Ken Griffey Jr. – Seattle Mariners

This is very obviously a nostalgia pick. The man has a 20-year major league career – how much longer can we expect to have him around? I can’t help but think his presence would be an absolute thrill for any young guy on the ASG American League squad.

And my write-in? Nick Swisher, Yankee outfielder. I think the presence of the Swish-hawk would add some much-needed levity to the affair.

Raven

I’m the worse kind of fan/All-Star voter.  Do I vote based on merit? sometimes.  Do I vote based on my hometown bias? a little. Do I vote based on who I drafted for my fantasy team? quite a bit. Do I vote based on looks? pretty much.  I always feel like my vote doesn’t count anyway, since I’m not a ballot stuffer, so here goes nothing.

American League:

1B – Carlos Pena, TB.  I vote for Carlos because of my friends.  We love Carlos.

2B – Brian Roberts, BAL.  Obviously, I vote for B-Rob based on merit, bias, fantasy status and looks!

SS – Jason Bartlett, TB.  He’s on my fantasy team. He gets my vote.

3B – Brandon Inge, DET. He’s on the fantasy team and just plain rocks.  How can you not love the Inge?

C – Joe Mauer, MIN. Let’s see where do I begin? Hot? check. Awesome? check. On my fantasy team? check.

OF – Adam Jones, BAL; Nick Markakis, BAL; Ken Griffey, Jr. SEA – Adam and Nick were no-brainers for me.  Griff was one of my favorite players when I was a kid.  He’s a throwback pick.

National League:

1B – Albert Pujols, STL. He’s awesome and on my fantasy team.

2B – Chase Utley, PHL. Chase is pretty hot and not a bad second baseman.

SS – Troy Tulowitzki, COL. Troy is a cutie.  Again, he’s on one of my many fantasy teams.

3B – David Wright, NYM. I love me some D-Wright.  He’s always the “Wright” choice! I crack myself up!

C – Ra”moan” Hernandez, CIN. Yeah, I loved Ramon when he played with the O’s, so I’m sticking with him.

OF – Andre Ethier, LAD; Hunter Pence, HOU; Conor Jackson, ARI – Let’s start out with the fact that all three are hot.  Andre and Hunter are on my fantasy team, and I love Conor.

Games Mistress

In coming up with my ballot, I discovered an interesting side effect to not playing fantasy baseball for the first time in four seasons:  though I have a better sense of the pennant races and which teams are doing well, I have very little knowledge of individual players’ stats — particularly if they aren’t on a NY team or the Cardinals.  So I’m doing the annoying joke ballot. Who cares if the players “deserve” to be on the team so long as their presence amuses me.

American League
1B- Miguel Cabrera, DET
2B-Asdrubal Cabrera, CLE
SS-Orlando Cabrera, OAK

Let’s see FOX get through the entire four hour All-Star Game broadcast without mixing up the Cabrera cabal at least once.  Also, I would like to see McCarver attempt to pronounce “Asdrubal.”  (I still haven’t forgiven anyone in that production booth for Timmy’s “music video” a few weeks ago.)

3B-Mark DeRosa, CLE
Because the “guy gets voted in in one league but has already been traded to the other” gimmick is always fun.

OUTFIELD – Grady Sizemore, CLE
I don’t really care who else is in the American League outfield.  My television needs more Grady Sizemore on it.

Write In-  Melky Cabrera, OUT, NYY.  I will have my revenge, FOX.

Yeah, like I’m going to vote for anyone else, even on a gimmick ballot.

2B-Skip Schumaker, STL
This is less about my personal bias and more about my continuing amusement in yelling “C’mon, Skippy!” at my television.

3B-David Freese, STL
This year’s best candidate for “making self-important sportswriters heads explode at the affront to the sanctity of the voting process” is Freese, who is somehow the Cards 3B representative despite getting demoted to AAA in late April and then having season ending surgery.

OUTFFIELD
Matt Kemp, LAD
Andre Either, LAD
Daniel Murphy, NYM

My NL infield is kind of St. Louis heavy.  Fortunately, I like my outfielders pretty and most of St. Louis’s outfielders are … not, so much. These guys are, though.

Maggiesox

Okay, I know it looks like this pick is filled with rampant homerism, but bear with me here. Sure, I’m a Sox fan living in Philadelphia, but the Sox and the Phillies also happen to have some of the strongest starters in baseball this year. (Okay, so the Sox have a black hole at short and the Phillies couldn’t buy a win at home if they borrowed the cash from Ryan Howard, Still.)

First Base
AL: Kevin Youkilis. Look, I know Mark Texeira’s suddenly the happening pick here, but am I the only baseball fan in America that remembers how much he flat-out sucked for the early part of the season. Sure the Yankees can blame injury and spotty starting pitching (and bullpen) for the fact that they’re 3.5 games behind your Boston Red Sox, but the fact remains that they needed his bat and he failed them spectacularly.

NL: Pujols. Sorry, Ryan Howard. Albert Pujols is the St. Louis Cardinals this year. You’ll just have to wait for Charlie to invite you to back him up.

Second Base:
AL: Dustin Pedroia. Come on. If you think I’m not taking last year’s AL MVP, you’re wrong, and I’m not apologizing for that.
NL: Chase Utley. Learn it, live it, love it You ask me who the best 2nd baseman in baseball is, and I’m picking Chuts every day of the week and twice on Sunday. Sit down, Dan Uggla. Nobody’s talking about you.

Shortstop
AL: Marco Scutaro First off, the fact that Jed Lowrie is even on this ballot makes my heart hurt. Of course, it also makes me want to punch the living daylights out of Julio Lugo, but that’s a default setting. I refuse to pick Jeter, because he’s overrated. Come on, if he played in Kansas City, no one would know who the hell he was. Scutaro’s been quietly putting together an All-Star caliber season in Toronto. He’s worth it.

NL: Hanley Ramirez. No, no, Jimmy Rollins. You sit down. Over there, on the bench. You know it well, sir. You’ve been riding it for some time now.

Third Base
AL: Mike Lowell. Mostly because I hate A-Rod so much I can’t bring myself to vote for him. Plus, how can you not love MYGLOWL?
NL: David Wright. I don’t want to talk about it.

Catcher:
AL: Jason Varitek. Look, the Cap has completely turned himself around since his dismal last year. He’s hitting the ball again (Hooray for the death of the Human GIDP!) and his talent for managing pitchers has helped keep the Red Sox out in front. I will not argue this, and it is not a homer pick. Mostly.
NL:Yadier Molina I know McCann’s got the edge offensively, and that’s worth thinking about, but fr my money, you’ve got to take defense into account when picking your catcher. Defensively? Yadier’s leading the way.

Outfield
AL: Jason Bay (Manny who?),  Vlad Gurerro, and Jacoby Ellsbury. (Semi-homer-esque, but the kid’s hitting, he’s fast, and he’s made some of the most amazing plays I’ve seen all year. Leave it.)
NL: Raul Ibanez (Seriously, Pat Burrell who?), Brad Hawpe, and Ryan Braun. If you vote for Manny Ramirez, all your other votes shouldn’t count.

Crane

AL

C: Joe Mauer
1B: Kevin Millar
2B: Brian Roberts
SS: Ramiro Pena
3B: Brandon Inge
OF: Curtis Granderson
OF: Don Kelly
OF: Nick Swisher

NL

C: Chris Iannetta
1B: Mark Reynolds
2B: Freddy Sanchez
SS: Stephen Drew
3B: Andy LaRoche
OF: Hunter Pence
OF: Brad Hawpe
OF: Andre Ethier

So there you have it everyone, the Ladies… All Star Ballots. Tell us who voted for and why!