The full All Star list has been released, and the Cubs have a personal record of 7 players who will be in attendance - assuming Soriano is healthy enough to play.

Seven Cubs in one All Star Game surpasses the '88 Cubs who had six. Without looking, I'm guessing the six were Sandberg, Dunston, Law, Dawson, Maddux, and Sutcliffe - and I'm off by one. Raffy Palmeiro was a member, Sutt was not.

This year's seven All Stars are Geovany Soto, Aramis Ramirez, Kosuke Fukudome, Alfonso Soriano, Carlos Zambrano, Ryan Dempster, and Kerry Wood.

Now, you and I know that the '88 Cubs didn't exactly blaze a trail into World Series glory, but it's still pretty cool to see so many Cubs make the All Star team. If the NL wins, giving the eventual NL Champion homefield advantage, we will be able to upon reflection call it fate, or serendipity, or something equally cosmic, as the Cubs players should play a prominent part.

Being a crazed Cub fan, I of course am looking toward the All Star Game as an opportunity for the Cubs to showcase their talents on a national stage. 

Being a realistic Cub fan, I don't necessarily think it's a great idea that a lot of Cubs go.  They could surely benefit more from having the time off, and fatigue will eventually be a factor in how the season progresses.  That said - woo!!  Crazed Cub fan!!!  Let's take a look at Cub players I think should be involved in the festivities at the ASG:

The Catchers - Geovany Soto

Of all the catchers in the National League, most of them suck.  However, there are a handful of guys who have been hitting, and our Geo Soto is one of them.  In fact, Soto is 2nd in doubles (19), 2nd in homers (11), 2nd in RBI (42), 5th in AVG (.288), 3rd in OBP (.374), and 2nd in OPS (.901).  It's iffy that he will overcome LA's Russell Martin to become the backup catcher on the National League roster, but based on his numbers, he should be there.

First Basemen - Derrek Lee

If we are having this discussion in early May, after Lee's April blast-off, then we'd be arguing that he's a lock.  However, Derrek has had a bit of a rough go of it since his early start, although he's been warming up again in the past week.  But that won't be enough to put him in the All Star Game.  Lee is currently 2nd in doubles (17), 6th in homers (14), 6th in RBI (41), 6th in batting average (.289) 9th in OBP (.349), and 6th in OPS (.860).  Derrek will get to spend the All Star Weekend with his family and at the golf course.

Second Basemen - Mark DeRosa

Mark DeRosa has proven to be an awesome acquisition.  Can you believe the Cubs were trying to upgrade in the off season and we were all in support of it?  DeRosa is making a strong argument for consideration.  He's 7th in doubles (13), 4th in homers (, 4th in RBI (36), 2nd in batting average (.299), 2nd in OBP (.384) and 3rd in OPS (.848).  Chances are, DeRosa will miss the cut - but it's a close call.

Shortstop - Ryan Theriot

Ryan Theriot, oh how you tease us!  We all know that you're not that good, but now almost halfway through the season, you continue to defy the odds.  

Theriot is currently 9th in the league in doubles (11), he's tied for 15th in homers (1), he's 11th in RBI (18), 3rd in steals (13), 2nd in batting average (.313), first in OBP (.388), and 7th in OPS (.760).  Theriot has been a pleasant surprise, but he's not All Star worthy.

Third base - Aramis Ramirez

Aramis has got to be one of the most underrated third basemen in baseball.  He's lived a long time under the shadow of Scott "Asshat" Rolen, but now that Rolen's gone, Ramirez still isn't getting the love.  Maybe it's because he looks like Charles Barkley.  Regardless, A-Ram is 2nd amongst NL third basemen in doubles (19), 6th in homers (10), 3rd in RBI (43), 3rd in batting average (.300, a full 102 points below Chipper), 2nd in OBP (.412), and 2nd in OPS (.914).  Maybe it's close, but Ramirez is so damned solid he deserves to be an All Star this year.

Left field - Not Worth Discussing

If Soriano were healthy, it'd be different. But he's not healthy, and there's no left fielder worth discussing on the Cubs at this time.

Center field - Again, Meh.

Edmonds is obviously not an option, nor is Reed Johnson.  Both are currently playing important roles with the Cubs, but that makes them perhaps hero worthy, but certainly not All Star worthy.

Right field - Kosuke Fukudome

Realistically, Fukudome is perhaps the most likely Cub regular to make the All Star Game, and he is also perhaps the least deserving.  Because he's a foreign sensation, it seems likely he'll make it in, and I love the contributions he's made to the Cubs, but pound-for-pound, I'm not sure his numbers really cover it.  Our heroic little Fooker is tied for 12th in doubles (13), he's 13th in homers (5), he's 10th in RBI (29), 4th in steals (6), 7th in batting average (.293), 2nd in OBP (.401), and 4th in OPS (.827).  Overall he's been competent and lovable, but All Star worthy?  Not really.

Starting Pitching - Carlos Zambrano and Ryan Dempster

The Cubs have two likely All Star starters, The Big Moose and Clownsevelt.  Zambrano and Dempster are tied for 4th with 8 wins and are 6th and 8th in ERA (Dempster 2.81, Moose 2.98).  Chances are, one rather than both will be selected, but we'll have to see who gets the ultimate nod.

Bullpen - Carlos Marmol and Kerry Wood

Middle relievers rarely get All Star nods, but if any in baseball deserve it, it's Marmol.  It can be argued convincingly that Marmol is the team MVP, and he leads the NL with 20 holds.  Wood, meanwhile, is 2nd in saves in the NL with 18.  Both pitchers have sub-3 ERAs.  Both are on pace to pitch a lot of games, and both are also on pace to strike out more than 100 batters.  Without these guys, the Cubs would not be in first place.

Conclusions: How many All Stars do the Cubs have?  In a fair world, we might see Geo Soto, Mark DeRosa, Aramis Ramirez, Kosuke Fukudome, Carlos Zambrano, Ryan Dempster, Carlos Marmol, and Kerry Wood don the All Star uniform for the NL this year.  Realistically, that number will be closer to 2 or 3, and if I had to guess, I would put money on Fukudome, Zambrano, and Wood. 

I'll also be completely honest - I have not been tracking the All Star tallies.  I do not know where the Cubs stand and I could be entirely wrong.  But my baseball instinct tells me that this is the direction they're headed in. 

Enjoy your off day from baseball, we'll have more content later on.