Popo in my crib: The other all-star team

Baseball is generally a slow sport. At times it can be exciting; a great catch, a batter stretching a single into a double or a double into a triple. However, essentially, baseball is slow sport. With all that extra time, for a girl anyway, it allows you to evaluate not just the on field talent but the on field looks. Here’s my genetically gifted all-star time. (Note: all players must be under 30 eliminating such heartthrobs as Derek Jeter, Pat Burrell and Alex Rodriguez.)

Starting lineup

First Base

(getty images)

Justin Morneau (Minnesota Twins)
Not only is he the 2006 AL MVP and a 2007 all-star, he has dreamy blue eyes and really great blonde hair, eh?

Second Base

Chase Utley (Philadelphia Phillies)
Chase maybe on the bench for the next few weeks with a broken hand thus reducing the amount of stare time; he did grow a modest beard which only adds to boyish good looks.

Short Stop

(USA Today)

J.J. Hardy (Milwaukee Brewers)
J.J. Hardy has spent a large portion of the last few years with various injuries including having season ending ankle surgery last year, but his all-star worthy first half performance for the young Milwaukee Brewers team has been making girls’ hearts all flutter in 2007.

Third Base

(davidwrightfoundation.com)

David Wright (New York Mets)
As a Braves fan, it’s hard for me to admit that David did hit the genetic lottery, not only can he play well at third base (cringe) but he also has an amazing smile. But of course, it’s a stare but not cheer situation for me.

Right Field

Jeff Francoeur (Atlanta Braves)
Jeff broke onto the scene during the summer of 2005 even being touted as the natural on the cover of Sports Illustrated. But he’s more than just a great pair of high stockings and a quick bat; he has an adorable face to go along with it. Although we’re more partial to a clean shaven Jeff over his various facial hair reincarnations.

Center Field

(USA Today)

Grady Sizemore (Cleveland Indians)
Grady’s so cute he has a devoted fan base called Grady’s ladies. Looking like a modern day Jonathan Taylor Thomas, it’s easy to see why.

Left Field

(AP)

Josh Willingham (Florida Marlins)
Speaking of “Home Improvement” alums, Josh bares a striking resemblance to older brother Brad, played by Zachary Ty Bryan. He may not have been as smart or funny as his younger brother Randy, but he definitely had the cuter girlfriends.

Catcher

Joe Mauer (Minnesota Twins)
How could we chose anyone else other than the guy who dated Miss America? Joe’s all-American feel, great sideburns and aw-shucks attitude probably helped him land on “Extra’s” hottest bachelors list in 2007.

Pitcher

(sfgiants.com)

Barry Zito (San Francisco Giants)
He maybe known for being a little out there, but who hasn’t had a crush on the cute bohemian guy, right? Anyway, rumored past girlfriends include baseball enthusiast and former “Charmed” star Alyssa Milano and “Lizzie Maguire” herself, Hilary Duff.

Reserves

First Base

(baseballyouth.com)

Ryan Howard (Philadelphia Phillies)
At 6’4 and 265 pounds, Ryan Howard can be both a cute teddy bear and a hot protective boyfriend.
(Honorable Mention: Conor Jackson – Arizona Diamondbacks; Nick Swisher – Oakland A’s)

Second Base

(si.com)

Robinson Cano (New York Yankees)
Robinson is the Yankees’ lone representative on this list and for good reason. At only 24 years old, he possesses great presence on and off the field. Even better, he can probably get you into all the hotspots in New York.
(Honorable Mention: Kelly Johnson – Atlanta Braves)

Short Stop

(rockymountainnews.com)

Troy Tulowitzki (Colorado Rockies)
Troy has been unstoppable on the field in his rookie season, even completing a rare unassisted triple play against the Atlanta Braves. On a team filled with "veterans", he has that hot younger brother thing working for him, perfect if you’re going for that Ashton-Demi thing.
(Honorable Mention: Jose Reyes – New York Mets; Ryan Theriot – Chicago Cubs)

Third Baseman

Ryan Braun (Milwaukee Brewers)
Braun was called up only a few months ago, but he has already been named the NL Player of the Month and NL Rookie Player of the month for July. Who wouldn’t want to be with a winner?

Right Field

(orioles.com)

Nick Markakis (Baltimore Orioles)
Since his team isn’t doing that well again this season, it’s a shame that we don’t get to see enough out of market games with this cute outfielder in them.
(Honorable Mention: Austin Kearns – Washington Nationals; Shane Victorino – Philadelphia Phillies)

Center Field

Curtis Granderson (Detroit Tigers)
Not only does he make show stopping grabs he also blogs. That totally puts Grandy over the top!
(Honorable Mention: Hunter Pence – Houston Astros; Rocco Baldelli – Tampa Bay Devil Rays)

Left Field

(si.com)

Eric Byrnes (Arizona Diamondbacks)
I’ll admit, it was really, really, really hard to find someone that was under 30 and really cute that played left field. So instead, I decided to break my lone rule and post a picture of cutie Eric Byrnes instead. Have you seen him on Fox? He’s not only funny, but apparently very knowledgeable. That’s what happens when you go to UCLA, I guess.

Catcher

Jarrod Saltalamacchia (Texas Rangers)
He may have just been traded to the Texas Rangers, but that doesn’t tone down his cute factor. This father of two is very mature for his age, only adding to his complete package.
(Honorable Mention: Curtis Thigpen – Toronto Blue Jays)

Pitchers
There are so many cute pitchers in the majors I broke it down into two groups:

Starters

John Maine (New York Mets)
I always hate to admit when Mets players are cute, but John Maine is always fun to watch every fifth day.

(phillies.com)
Cole Hamels (Philadelphia Phillies)
Hamels is the definition of tall, dark and handsome.

(AP)
Jon Lester (Boston Red Sox)
Not only did he did beat cancer in 2006, but he came out in 2007 winning in his first Major League start of the season against the very tough Cleveland Indians. Tall and a survivor, sign me up!

(Usa Today)

Dan Haren (Oakland A’s)
He was the 2007 starter for the AL All-Star team, but his laid back California vibe is what we like about him the most.

Tim Lincecum (San Francisco Giants)
Across the bay from Haren is a young pitcher who has been wowing people since being drafted in 2006 and not just because of his fastball.

(Honorable Mention: (Noah Lowry – San Francisco Giants; Ian Snell – Pittsburgh Pirates; Rick VandenHurk – Florida Marlins; Dontrelle Wills – Florida Marlins)

Relief Pitchers

Pat Neshek (Minnesota Twins)
Earlier this year, Pat had a campaign going to vote him into the 2007 All-Star team, all we have to say is that we made sure we voted multiple times a day to get a chance to see his cute face in HD!

(seadogs.com)

Jonathan Papelbon (Boston Red Sox)
Maybe it’s the imposing stare that he gives when he’s on the mound that says he means business that makes us drool, because it’s certainly not his acting ability.