Seven of the eight positions voted on by the fans are led by members of those teams, with Vladimir Guerrero being the lone exception.

At first base, where David Ortiz leads the position he's played twice this season — presumably in NL parks, where there is no DH — Jason Giambi is the closest competitor. At second and third bases, where Robinson Cano and Alex Rodriguez lead, Mark Loretta and Mike Lowell are in second place.

(Did I mention Mike Mussina would have to be considered the favorite to start the game for the AL, as well?)

There's always two ways to look at who should make the All-Star Game: Do you go reward guys with the best half-season stats, or try to assemble some kind of dream team?

I used to lean toward No. 1, but that changed when I "covered" (more like "loafed around") the 1999 All-Star Game at Fenway Park for FOXSports.com. With no Greg Maddux, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens or Juan Gonzalez, the theme that year was all the first-timers who were selected — future Hall of Famers like Ron Coomer, John Jaha, Scott Williamson, Dave Nilsson and Jeff Zimmermann.

The media got one hour with each side at some hotel on Monday and, not wanting to be buried under the armpits of 50 camerapersons surrounding the big-name players, I picked a story angle that I thought was both interesting and easy — I simply asked the numerous All-Star newbies how the good news was delivered to them, what their reactions were and what they did to celebrate. It was a fun, human-angle piece.

That being said, I'm all for assembling a squad with the biggest names and best storylines. Might as well turn this into a video game. (Who else is bummed we never got a starting NL outfield of Barry Bonds, Ken Griffey Jr. and Sammy Sosa?)

SI.com's John Donovan may say that Nick Swisher, Alex Rios and Jose Lopez deserve starting nods, but I can't imagine most would rather see that than Alex Rodriguez having to high-five Jason Varitek during pre-game introductions.

Today's Web Finds:

• Alyssa Milano Inspiring the Amazin' Mets with Amazin' Breasts — I have to link to these hi-beam shots, because she's long been a favorite of mine. But between those really hairy arms, having had sex with Carl Pavano, having never done Playboy, and now sporting a retainer on her teeth, she's slipping on my to-do list, currently headed by Stacy Keibler. (Thanks, Knowledge Man)

• Woman's Toes Licked By Man Hiding Under Car — Got anything going on today, man? Nah, just gonna go to the Wal-Mart parking lot and lick some toes. (Thanks, Laurie)

• Arenas Bummed By the Beach — Michael Wilbon's column in Thursday's Washington Post examines the Miami Beach arrest of Gilbert Arenas from the angle I mentioned on SportsByBrooks.com Wednesday. While most people focused on one quote from the AP — "You can't arrest me, I'm a basketball player..." — the real story is that 557 people were arrested over one weekend during a hip-hop festival, where four dozen guns were confiscated. (How many dozens more weren't?) Those luxury hotels and restaurants were built for people to spend in Versace, not loiter in Rocawear while packing. Someone with financial interest — and political clout — is pushing back.

• Drinking With Bob: MySpace vs. the Idiot — What's next? He'll tell you what's next. "In the battle of who is a bigger threat to society, MySpace or the idiot, my money is on the idiot!"

• Apple Trailer: Once in a Lifetime — Some movie on "the extraordinary story of the New York Cosmos" of the NASL, "the one club everyone in New York wanted to get into" in 1977. One guy says it was "like traveling with the Rolling Stones." Sounds like a piece from The Onion, but they're serious. (Thanks, Kevin)

• Prince to Receive Webby Lifetime Achievement Award — I'm sure that, out of all the awards Prince has won in his career, this one's in the top thousand. Easily.

• Clemens OKs $22M Deal to Return to Astros — Yes! This means there will be more "Is this the end for Clemens?" stories in October. Goodie, Goodie!

• Hometown Jerseys and Hoodies — Quick shout-out to a local eBay seller, from whom I bought a Don Mattingly batting practice jersey for this weekend's road trip. Excellent service.