For each section, if a player doesn’t qualify for batting stats (roughly 270 PA), their G and PA are listed. Bold indicates a leader at that position for the stat; top 3 listed for most stats.
One thing became quite clear through all this: the AL is far more potent at the plate than the NL. Here, the challenge is omitting some players with 30 homeruns or near 1.000 OPS.
#C
| Name | OPS | Slash | Reg Stats | Other |
| Ed Bailey (DET) | .985 | 269/365/619 | 20 HR; 46 RBI; 2.1 WAR | 62 G/230 PA 43.2 RTO% |
| Mickey Cochrane (SFS) | .899 | 297/368/531 | 1.9 WAR | 1.6 FRM; 4.31 CERA |
| Joe Mauer (POR) | .850 | 297/373/477 | 1.7 WAR | 2.7 FRM |
| Curt Blefary (BAL) | .814 | 251/348/465 | 16 HR; 47 RBI | |
| Carlton Fisk (CAG) | .801 | 222/285/516 | 21 HR; 56 RBI | 40.2 RTO%; 2.2 FRM |
Ed Bailey (whose defensive performance has been surprisingly good) and Mickey Cochrane are clearly in, with Bailey starting. That leaves Joe Mauer in a bit of no-man’s land: if the AL goes with 3 catchers, he’d be the 3rd. With Portland needing representation in the game, and a general desire for 3 backstops, Mauer makes the cut.
Iván Rodríguez has probably been the best defensive catcher in the AL (although Mauer has been quite good), but Pudge’s 237/272/448 slash line is just too weak to merit much consideration.
#1B
| Name | OPS | Slash | Reg Stats | Other |
| Lou Gehrig (NYY) | 1.029 | 283/394/635 | 28 HR; 67 RBI; 2.5 WAR | .995 Fldg |
| Frank Thomas (CAG) | .994 | 297/418/576 | 1.8 WAR | 8.84 RF |
| Lance Berkman (CLE) | .980 | 271/364/615 | 28 HR; 69 RBI | |
| Hank Greenberg (DET) | .976 | 276/347/629 | 28 HR; 2.0 WAR | .998 Fldg; 3.1 ZR |
| Jim Thome (MCG) | .954 | 231/352/603 | 32 HR; 72 RBI | 8.84 RF |
It’s hard to imagine that 32 HR and 72 RBI at the all star game doesn’t make the roster, but that’s what Jim Thome is facing. Lou Gehrig and Frank Thomas clearly are on the roster and while Lance Berkman and Hank Greenberg have better overall numbers than Thome, his power is gaudy enough to have the 3 in a dead heat. Perhaps Greenberg’s defense edges him in front?
In the end, none of the 3 of them made it, which is remarkable.
#2B & SS
Because Dick Lundy and Bobby Grich–two strong contenders–essentially split their time between 2B and SS, we’ll consider the two positions together. First the 2Bs.
| Name | OPS | Slash | Reg Stats | Other |
| Rogers Hornsby (POR) | .867 | 280/386/481 | 11 HR; 33 RBI | 58 G / 254 PA |
| Bobby Grich (LAA) | .829 | 238/367/462 | 15 HR; 44 RBI; 1.8 WAR | 1.3 ZR |
| Eddie Collins (CAG) | .828 | 310/404/424 | 19 2B; 38 SB; 1.3 WAR | 4.60 RF |
| Charlie Gehringer (DET) | .823 | 260/335/488 | 11 HR; 34 RBI | 62 G / 242 PA; 4.96 RF |
| Cookie Rojas (MCG) | .800 | 321/365/436 | 29 2B | .988 Fldg; 4.51 RF |
| Miller Huggins (BAL) | .795 | 302/423/372 | 1.9 WAR | 67 G / 241 PA; 6.4 ZR |
And now the SS
| Name | OPS | Slash | Reg Stats | Other |
| Cal Ripken, Jr. (BAL) | .926 | 293/339/587 | 45 G / 1655 PA | |
| Arky Vaughan (CLE) | .906 | 312/400/506 | 19 2B; 44 RBI; 2.8 WAR | 6.7 ZR |
| Bobby Grich (LAA) | .829 | 238/367/462 | 15 HR; 44 RBI; 1.8 WAR | |
| Robin Yount (MCG) | .828 | 273/313/515 | 16 HR; 42 RBI | .983 Fldg; 4.42 RF |
| Dick Lundy (SFS) | .799 | 296/357/442 | 18 2B; 7 3B; 35 SB; 2.3 WAR | 4.40 RF; 5.9 ZR |
| Jim Fregosi (POR) | .795 | 259/351/444 | 16 2B | .985 Fldg |
This is rough all around.
Arky Vaughan is just about the only clear choice here, with the best all around performance by a SS if you discount Cal Ripken, Jr., who just hasn’t played enough (likewise, a lack of playing time eliminates both Miller Huggins and, most controversially, Charlie Gehringer from consideration).
If we need 4 more middle infielders, they should come from Rogers Hornsby, Grich, Lundy, Eddie Collins, and Robin Yount.
Hornsby has been the best hitting 2B, which is no surprise, but he’s also missed some time and is somewhat of a liability defensively. Still, the best OPS of the group has to count for something, so he’s in as the starting 2B for the AL.
Eddie Collins is having a bit of an off year compared to last year season. Grich, Collins, and Yount are almost indistinguishable: as such, Grich’s versatility earns him a roster spot, and Collins edges Yount for the final spot, leaving Lundy in the cold as well.
#3B
| Name | OPS | Slash | Reg Stats | Other |
| Evan Longoria (CLE) | .958 | 296/352/606 | 26 2B; 55 RBI; 2.3 WAR | .962 Fldg; 1.5 ZR |
| Mike Schmidt (NYY) | .951 | 251/367/584 | 26 HR; 60 RBI; 2.4 WAR | 2.57 RF; 2.2 ZR |
| Gary Sheffield (MCG) | .937 | 281/327/611 | 22 2B; 60 RBI; 2.0 WAR | 1.3 ZR |
| Wade Boggs (MEM) | .887 | 325/396/491 | 28 2B |
Wade Boggs is really just there for comparison. Mike Schmidt gets the starter’s nod over Evan Longoria, as much for his team’s performance as any discernable statistical edge.
#LF/RF
We’ll treat the corner OF’s together.
| Name | OPS | Slash | Reg Stats | Other |
| Babe Ruth (NYY) | 1.191 | 288/428/763 | 41 HR; 94 RBI; 5.4 WAR | 6.7 ZR |
| José Canseco (MCG) | 1.101 | 258/378/723 | 38 HR | |
| Ted Williams (MEM) | 1.059 | 310/425/634 | 69 RBI | |
| Frank Robinson (BAL) | 1.038 | 305/398/640 | 1.000 Fldg | |
| Mickey Mantle (NYY) | 1.009 | 270/380/629 | 32 HR; 82 RBI | |
| Joe Jackson (CAG) | .981 | 354/397/584 | 40 2B; 31 SB | |
| Rickey Henderson (SFS) | .866 | 264/386/479 | 62 SB; 3.0 WAR | 7.3 ZR |
Babe Ruth, José Canseco, and Ted Williams are locks. After that, it would seem criminal to omit either Frank Robinson or Mickey Mantle, although it must be noted that Uncle Robbie’s performance is ever-so-stronger than Mantle’s, earning him one of the final spots.
That would leave the electric Rickey Henderson and the extraordinary Joe Jackson on the outside looking in.
#CF
| Name | OPS | Slash | Reg Stats | Other |
| Tris Speaker (CLE) | 1.113 | 341/413/700 | 32 2B; 64 RBI; 4.6 WAR | 6.2 ZR; 6 Kills |
| Eric Davis (NYY) | 1.080 | 319/399/681 | 29 SB | 45 G / 208 PA |
| Turkey Stearnes (SFS) | 1.063 | 334/373/690 | 9 3B; 24 HR; 61 RBI; 2.9 WAR | |
| Julio Rodríguez (MCG) | 1.061 | 346/369/691 | 43 G/195 PA | |
| Mike Trout (LAA) | .987 | 309/389/598 | 25 2B; 4 3B; 57 RBI; 3.0 WAR | 1.000 Fldg |
| Alejandro Oms (MCG) | .881 | 344/406/474 |
Look, I don’t like Tris Speaker either, but the man can flat out play. So, he’s in, as is Stearnes, perhaps the leading candidate for the AL Rookie of the Year. And neither Eric Davis nor the surprising Julio Rodríguez have played enough to make the cut. So that leaves Mike Trout as the open question: Trout is clearly deserving, so the question is whether the AL goes with 2 pure CF’s or 3.
Alejandro Oms misses out, despite being 3rd in the league in BA.
#DH
| Name | OPS | Slash | Reg Stats |
| Ty Cobb (DET) | 1.299 | 399/450/849 | 38 2B; 9 3B; 75 RBI; 32 SB; 5.6 WAR |
| Ron Blomberg (CLE) | 1.032 | 288/361/671 | 32 HR; 85 RBI |
| Reggie Jackson (SFS) | 1.029 | 300/422/608 | 21 2B; 24 SB; 3.0 WAR |
| Kal Daniels (LAA) | 1.013 | 326/425/589 | 21 2B; 31 SB; 2.3 WAR |
| Ryan Braun (MCG) | .975 | 280/327/648 | 31 HR |
| Gavvy Cravath (BAL) | .956 | 247/349/607 | 23 2B; 28 HR; 71 RBI |
My lord. 31 homeruns at the all star break and a possibility of not being selected? Welcome to your life, Ryan Braun.
Obviously, Ty Cobb and Ron Blomberg are in. And it seems ridiculous to omit either Kal Daniels or Reggie Jackson.
#SP
And now we move into the AL’s weakness–there are strong top-end candidates here, but far less depth than over in the NL.
| Name | W-L; ERA | Reg Stats | Other |
| Doc Gooden (LAA) | 7-6, 3.26 | .240 BABIP | 58% QS |
| Ed Walsh (CAG) | 6-3, 3.36 | 1.05 WHIP; .199 BABIP | 0.6 WPA |
| Eddie Plank (SFS) | 13-3, 3.73 | 0.5 WPA | |
| Lefty Grove (SFS) | 10-4, 3.80 | 140 K; 3.2 WAR | 3 SHO; 2.87 SIERA; 0.5 WPA |
| Andy Pettitte (NYY) | 10-5, 3.90 | ||
| Brett Anderson (LAA) | 8-2, 3.93 | 1.05 WHIP; .234 BABIP | |
| Bump Hadley (SFS) | 12-4, 3.98 | 3.67 FIP; 3.1 WAR | 58% QS |
| Cy Young (CLE) | 9-3, 4.37 | 3.81 FIP; 3.3 WAR | 2 SHO |
| Ron Guidry (NYY) | 8-5, 4.15 | 150 K | 2.52 SIERA |
The spots fill up quickly. Eddie Plank will start the game for the AL, and his teammates Bump Hadley and Lefty Grove clearly belong. It seems silly to omit the ERA leader, Doc Gooden.
After that, it gets confusing. Ed Walsh has been almost unhittable, but is only 6-3. Andy Pettitte has 10 wins and a sub 4.00 ERA.
That would leave the overall WAR leader, Cy Young, the strikeout and SIERA leader, Ron Guidry, and the overall excellence of Brett Anderson missing out.
#RP
| Name | W-L; ERA | Reg Stats | Other |
| Ron Robinson (SFS) | 1-0, 1.64 | 3 Sv; 3 H; 1.00 WHIP | { injured } |
| Ken Howell (SFS) | 4-1, 1.72 | 1 Sv; 4 H | |
| Ross Reynolds (LAA) | 2-0, 2.30 | 1 Sv; 2 H; 1.88 FIP | |
| Goose Gossage (NYY) | 2-3, 2.41 | 10 Sv; 8 H | .90 Sv% |
| Akinori Otsuka (CAG) | 3-1, 2.48 | 1 Sv; 5 H | |
| Skel Roach (MEM) | 1-0, 2.62 | 7 H; .160 BABIP | |
| Justin Hampson (BAL) | 0-0, 2.86 | 7 H; .159 BABIP; 1.05 WHIP | |
| Rod Beck (SFS) | 3-2, 3.20 | 23 Sv; .156 BABIP; 0.67 WHIP | 15 SD; 2.83 SIERA; .885 Sv% |
| Terry Adams (CLE) | 1-3, 3.80 | 15 Sv; 2 H | .882 Sv% |
| Sparky Lyle (NYY) | 2-1, 4.37 | 3 Sv; 8 H | |
| Rheal Cormier (NYY) | 0-2, 5.75 | 11 H |
The AL is a little weak in bullpen depth as well. Rod Beck is easily the class of the closers, with Terry Adams close behind. The overall excellence of Ken Howell and Goose Gossage also merit a spot, leaving Ross Reynolds, Skel Roach, and Justin Hampson on the bubble.
Hampson gets the nod, both because of how surprising his season has been and as a nod to the paucity of lefties in the AL pen.
#AL All Stars
The final 2 spots came down to choices between Mike Trout, Reggie Jackson, Kal Daniels, Mickey Mantle, Eddie Collins, and Robin Yount. A fourth middle infielder seemed like a requirement, giving the nod to Collins.
So. Reggie or Kal. Kal or Reggie. I mean. Kal Daniels is having an incredible year. But there’s just no way to argue he is more deserving than Reggie.
There is an argument to be made that the AL should only take 2 3B, replacing Gary Sheffield with Daniels. But the final choice is always going to be onerous.
Some more arguments about who was wronged (these are the highest ranked layers in each stat not to make the game).
Joe Jackson (CAG). #2 in H (109); #1 in the league in 2B (40); #2 in BA (.354).
Mickey Mantle (NYY). #3 in HR (32); #3 in RBI (82).
Kal Daniels (LAA). #4 in OBP (.425); #11 in OPS (1.013).
Ryan Braun (MCG). #7 in SLG (.648).
Rickey Henderson (SFS). #1 in SB (62); #4 in WAR (3.0).
Dick Lundy (SFS). #3 in 3B (7).
And, on the mound
Cy Young (CLE). #5 in W (9); #2 in FIP (3.81); #1 in WAR (3.3).
Ron Guidry (NYY). #1 in K (150); #1 in SIERA (2.52).
Brett Anderson (LAA). #5 in ERA (3.93); #2 in WHIP (1.05).
Walter Johnson (POR). #2 in IP (125).
4 Players have 14 saves, tied for #3. Of those, Only Ricky Nolasco (MCG) has an ERA below 4.00.
Rheal Cormier (NYY). #1 in H (11).
Starters in bold.
C: Ed Bailey (DET); Mickey Cochrane (SFS); Joe Mauer (POR).
1B: Lou Gehrig (NYY); Frank Thomas (CAG).
2B: Eddie Collins (CAG); Bobby Grich (LAA); Rogers Hornsby (POR).
SS: Arky Vaughan (CLE).
3B: Evan Longoria (CLE); Mike Schmidt (NYY); Gary Sheffield (MCG).
LF: Frank Robinson (BAL); Ted Williams (MEM).
CF: Tris Speaker (CLE), Turkey Stearnes (SFS).
RF: José Canseco (MCG), Babe Ruth (NYY).
DH: Ron Blomberg (CLE); Reggie Jackson (SFS), Ty Cobb (DET).
SP: Doc Gooden (LAA), Lefty Grove (SFS), Bump Hadley (SFS), Andy Pettitte (NYY); Eddie Plank (SFS), Ed Walsh (CAG).
RP: Terry Adams (CLE); Rod Beck (SFS); Goose Gossage (NYY); Justin Hampson (BAL); Ken Howell (SFS).
And, by team. Unsurprisingly, the 3 American League teams with records over .500 (San Francisco, the Black Yankees, and Cleveland) are supplying 18 of the 32 players.
San Francisco Sea Lions (.625). Rod Beck (P), Mickey Cochrane (C), Lefty Grove (P), Bump Hadley (P), Ken Howell (P) Reggie Jackson (DH), Eddie Plank (P), Turkey Stearnes (OF).
New York Black Yankees (.618). Lou Gehrig (1B), Goose Gossage (P), Andy Pettitte (P), Babe Ruth (OF), Mike Schmidt (3B).
Cleveland Spiders (.558). Terry Adams (P), Ron Blomberg (DH), Evan Longoria (3B), Tris Speaker (OF), Arky Vaughan (SS).
Chicago American Giants (.466). Eddie Collins (2B), Frank Thomas (1B), Ed Walsh (P).
Miami Cuban Giants (.483). José Canseco (OF), Gary Sheffield (3B).
Detroit Wolverines (.453). Ed Bailey (C), Ty Cobb (DH).
Los Angeles Angels (.448). Doc Gooden (P), Bobby Grich (2B).
Portland Sea Dogs (.438). Rogers Hornsby (2B), Joe Mauer (C).
Baltimore Black Sox (.416). Justin Hampson (P), Frank Robinson (OF).
Memphis Red Sox (.494). Ted Williams (OF).
A whopping 15 players are repeat all-stars from last season: Terry Adams, Rod Beck, Ron Blomberg, José Canseco, Eddie Collins, Lou Gehrig, Lefty Grove, Rogers Hornsby, Ken Howell, Reggie Jackson, Joe Mauer, Babe Ruth, Frank Thomas, and Ted Williams.