No, the fate of the free world doesn’t depend on which players make the final rosters for Major League Baseball’s All-Star game in St. Louis. But it would still be nice if the decisions were made with some sort of consistent logic. Instead — with fans, players and managers all having some say in who represents the American League and National League teams — there is always a list of head-scratching choices. This year’s questionable decisions:

Josh Hamilton as a starter? The Texas slugger was a great story at last year’s Home Run Derby in New York and fans have a right to pick players they want to see. But it’s still hard to accept Hamilton as an All-Star when he’s played in just 35 games due to injury with six homers and a .240 batting average. It’s not like he plays for the hometown Cardinals. Speaking of which — it’s nice to be playing at home, apparently. Because Atlanta catcher Brian McCann (.883 OPS) has been far more productive at the plate than St. Louis catcher Yadier Molina (.728) and should have earned the starting nod instead. McCann’s bat more than compensates for Molina’s stellar work defensively with just two errors, two passed balls and a league-best .462 caught-stealing percentage.

Recommended Stories

Supreme Court spurns NFL case alleging racial discrimination against black coaches

Mexican president says country will host Iran’s World Cup team

Kyle Busch died from severe pneumonia after passing out in NASCAR simulator

It also doesn’t hurt to have your manager involved. Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard is a one-trick pony at this point. More than half of his 78 hits are for extra bases. Otherwise, he has trouble even reaching base and is virtually useless against left-handed pitching (.198 batting average). Philadelphia is more than happy to take his 20 homers and 60 RBI, of course. But was it really necessary to have four first basemen on the NL roster? Howard clearly is behind Albert Pujols (St. Louis), Adrian Gonzalez (San Diego) and Prince Fielder (Milwaukee) at the position.