For the Most Part, He’ll Second the Fans’ Vote

It is silly to waste energy getting upset over the all-star voting process that is strictly a ballot- stuffing popularity contest that often has nothing to do with first-half performance.

It is reviewed here annually only to provide the basis for one man’s selection of the true midseason teams.

In reality, the fans didn’t do badly this year.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

There is no arguing with the selection of Texas catcher Ivan Rodriguez, Cleveland second baseman Roberto Alomar, Boston shortstop Nomar Garciaparra (choosing between Garciaparra and New York’s Derek Jeter is akin to flipping a coin), Tampa Bay designated hitter Jose Canseco and outfielders Manny Ramirez of Cleveland and Ken Griffey Jr. of Seattle.

The most glaring mistake is at first base, where all those Jacobs Field sellouts resulted in Cleveland’s Jim Thome’s selection over the obvious and more deserving Rafael Palmeiro of Texas. The automatic selection of Baltimore’s Cal Ripken Jr. at third base is no disgrace, but here’s a quiz: Didn’t Ripken miss a significant chunk of the first half and didn’t Toronto’s Tony Fernandez hit .400 for most of it? Anyone aware of the answer would have selected Fernandez.

The only other debate concerns the selection of Kenny Lofton as the third outfielder. Lofton has played a catalytic role as Cleveland’s leadoff hitter. He is batting .300, on pace to score more than 100 runs and among the league leaders in stolen bases. It can be argued that there should be a place for a hitter of Lofton’s skill and approach, but the feeling here is that any of the AL’s four outfield reserves--Toronto’s Shawn Green, Chicago’s Magglio Ordonez, Baltimore’s B.J. Surhoff and New York’s Bernie Williams--had a more emphatic first half, and there is no doubt but that the petulant Juan Gonzalez did for Texas.

Gonzalez is batting .315 and is third in the league in home runs and runs batted in. That he wasn’t elected as a starter is no reason for him to take his bat and ball and go home, but maybe that’s where he belongs. Insiders say his fourth marriage, to Puerto Rican singer Olga Tanon, is dissolving.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

There is no arguing the selection of Arizona second baseman Jay Bell and third baseman Matt Williams, Cincinnati shortstop Barry Larkin and outfielders Sammy Sosa of Chicago and Larry Walker of Colorado.

There would be no arguing the selection of San Diego’s Tony Gwynn as the third outfielder except that he has twice been on the disabled list and is still sidelined. The choice here would have been Arizona’s Luis Gonzalez, Atlanta’s Brian Jordan or New York’s Roger Cedeno, who wasn’t selected as an NL reserve either but is conditioned to snubs, having often found his name missing from the Dodger lineup card.

The other problems are at catcher and first base, where the elections of New York’s Mike Piazza and St. Louis’ Mark McGwire may have appeared automatic but are open to debate.

Both of the NL’s reserve catchers, Mike Lieberthal of Philadelphia and Dave Nilsson of Milwaukee, had better first-half statistics than Piazza, and the choice here would have been Jason Kendall, who was batting .338 when he was lost for the season because of a broken ankle on Monday.

McGwire is having another big season with 28 homers and 72 RBIs, but Houston’s Jeff Bagwell, the choice here, is right there in both categories while batting more than 50 points higher than McGwire. Then there’s mighty Sean Casey, who is batting about 50 points higher than Bagwell and whose reaction at being selected as a reserve should be bottled and fed to Gonzalez and any all-star who complains about giving up three days off as a reminder of how it was and should be.

Casey, in his first full season with Cincinnati, said he will be so nervous Tuesday night in Boston that it will be like his first day at school.

“I won’t know what to say to anybody,” he said. “I hope I don’t forget anybody’s name. I plan to take my video camera. . . . No, I’m going to buy a new one to make sure it works. Just think, I’m going to be in the same room with future Hall of Famers. This is so awesome.”

MIDSEASON AWARDS

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Most valuable player (in order): Garciaparra, Jeter, Ramirez. Cy Young: Boston’s Pedro Martinez, Cleveland’s Charles Nagy, Texas’ Jeff Zimmerman. Rookie: Chicago’s Chris Singleton, Kansas City’s Carlos Beltran, Seattle’s Freddy Garcia. Manager: Boston’s Jimy Williams, Cleveland’s Mike Hargrove, Texas’ Johnny Oates.

Comment: Separating the MVP candidates is almost impossible, but no one would have predicted that the Red Sox would remain a playoff contender after the departure of Mo Vaughn. That they have is testimonial to Garciaparra, Martinez and Williams--a virtual awards sweep for the Red Sox.

Flanked by Ordonez in right and Carlos Lee in left, Singleton is the centerpiece in a young White Sox outfield that may soon be recognized as the best in baseball.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Most valuable player: Matt Williams, Jordan, Bagwell. Cy Young: Arizona’s Randy Johnson, Philadelphia’s Curt Schilling, Houston’s Jose Lima. Rookie: Florida’s Alex Gonzalez, Montreal’s Jose Vidro, New York’s Benny Agbayani. Managers: San Francisco’s Dusty Baker, Cincinnati’s Jack McKeon, San Diego’s Bruce Bochy.

Comment: The power and productivity of Williams has propelled the Diamondbacks into second-year playoff contention, giving the rebounding third baseman a slight edge in the MVP dogfight.

Teammate Johnson has been a hard-luck pitcher in the win category, but he leads the NL in earned-run average, strikeouts and innings.

Gonzalez is the latest addition to the galaxy of talented young shortstops and one of the Marlins’ few bright spots in another long, hot summer.

Baker insists he is only the conductor, providing the Giants with direction, but he is clearly a maestro at working with mirrors. The NL managerial award probably should have his name engraved permanently.