It's been almost a year since we've felt that heartwarming buzz around the ballpark. That oh so familiar hum in the background of every baseball game in America is creeping back into our lives. Yes, All Star balloting has arrived for the great annual debate. For 25 home games, and through millions of untrackable E-ballots, there will be an election process that brings together an entire country, nay, an entire world to focus on one game. Last year, we were represented by the ever so memorable Mark Redman, who will live on for years as the All Star for our Kansas City Royals. Just Ask RoyalsReview, and he will regale you with fascinating tales of Redmans feats, and reminisce about the ballgames won and lost, but most of all. how we all grew as people every time he took the hill to prove us that one man CAN make a difference.

Now, I know we've been battered by the poor stats of many of our hitters, but as per MLB rules we MUST have an All Star! So now, we can do a quick glance at who just might don the noble All Star Jersey, right here in San Francisco.

Players on the Ballot for KC:
C-John Buck
1B-Ryan Shealy
2B-Mark Grudzielanek
3B-Alex Gordon
SS-Tony Pena Jr.
OF-Mark Teahen
OF-Emil Brown
OF-David DeJesus

Given that we can't vote for pitchers, the following are candidates from the Pen and Rotation.

Gil Meche
Zack Greinke
Ryan Braun
Joakim Soria

I'm only going to look at hitters and pitchers that actually have a chance to win the award right now barring a hot streak.

So as far as hitters we have John Buck and David DeJesus and pitchers I think Meche and Greinke are the only ones with a legit chance, unless they stiff us Lance Carter Style.(http://www.sptimes.com/2003/07/07/Rays/Carter_surprise_All_S.shtml)

A look at the stats:
DeJesus- .339/.406/.581/.987 3 HR 7RBI - David has been tremendous in the leadoff spot everyday, if he just gets on base at a 40% rate, hes one of the best leadoff men in the game. David has been on fire since day one, and has been the go to guy on offense over guys that should be right now. Probably should be our All Star.

John Buck- .440/.517./960/1.477- Buddy's decision to split Buck's time right now with LaRue has looked foolish, because all Buck has done is hit the hell out of the ball. In 25 AB he's tied with DeJesus with 3 HR, as well as doubling 4 times. He has stated his case to be the starting Catcher, and hopefully his GW HR the other night will be enough to convince Buddy that the Offensive Force known as John Buck is here to stay.

Gil Meche-2.22 ERA 6.75 K/9 2.25 BB/9 1.21 WHIP- Gil has been worth every penny of his 55 million through his first four  starts. He has looked more like Carpenter/Schmidt minus the injury, than the whatever the negative comparison was for him. At 1-1, hes going to have to win a couple games to get some love on the roster, because wins are everything. Gil has been great so far, and with a couple nice wins, he could garner some All Star love.

Zack Greinke- I dont feel like listing his stats, because he probably won't get enough mainstream love, but Zack has been fantastic so far this year. The blow up in Detroit wasn't really his fault. It was insanely windy, batters kept improbably fouling off good pitches to stay in the inning, the ump wouldn't give him a call on anything that wasn't over the middle, and Pudge's slam was NOT well hit at all, it looked like a pop that should have landed 40-50 feet from the wall, but the wind carried the ball out. In every other start, Greinke has been fantastic. He's looking more like an ace, and less like he was in 2005.

Well, based on this, there are 4 legit choices right now for our All Star rep, but you know what, I think Leyland will show us some love and not only pick up DeJesus, but I think Meche will also be our SECOND all star. That would be amazing!