The one Red Sox player who could argue he was snubbed instead took time to recognize the accomplishment of his teammates when six Red Sox were voted to the All-Star Game in player balloting released Sunday by MLB.

“I think we’re deserving,” Kevin Youkilis said. “We have just as many wins as any team in baseball. We have 49 wins and we’re tied with the Yankees in wins and that’s most in baseball. That speaks for itself. We started out horrible and we had a lot of injuries and we’ve battled a lot of adversity and we deserve to have a lot of guys on the All-Star team. When you have the most wins in baseball, you deserve to have more All-Stars than none.”

[Click here to listen to Youkilis explain why the Red Sox deserve All-Star love.]

Youkilis did not make it despite impressive numbers of .299, 16 homers and 53 RBIs. He was named as one of five American League players eligible to be voted in on a special ballot by fans.

Youkilis can be selected as the final player on the American League’s 34-man roster via the 2010 All-Star Game Final Vote Sponsored by Sprint.

All six Red Sox players selected to the American League team on Sunday were voted in by player ballot. They include two disabled players in Victor Martinez and Dustin Pedroia and another who could miss his last start before the break in Clay Buchholz, nursing a sore hamstring.

David Ortiz and Adrian Beltre made the squad as reserves with Beltre making his way to the Midsummer Classic for the first time.

Jon Lester is also headed to Anaheim, filling out the Red Sox contingent.

The preliminary numbers were released Monday in All-Star balloting and the Red Sox aren’t even close to being represented in the field.

Dustin Pedroia is behind only Robinson Cano for the starting nod at second base, but his 279,452 votes aren’t even in the same galaxy as Cano’s 491,188. Victor Martinez, currently third among catchers with 119,997 votes in a futile category (see Mauer’s votes below), is the only other Red Sox hitter among the top three in voting at his position.

The leaders at each position are as follows:

1B – Mark Texiera, Yankees: 396,034
2B – Robinson Cano, Yankees: 491,188
3B – Evan Longoria: 541,253
SS – Derek Jeter, Yankees: 639,227
C – Joe Mauer, Twins: 644,533
DH – Vladimir Guerrero, Rangers: 374,333
OF – Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners: 366,903
OF – Carl Crawford, Rays: 319,953
OF – Nelson Cruz, Rangers: 307,928

Unfortunately for the 2010 Red Sox, today’s news isn’t as big a slap in the face as may initially meet the eye. In fact, the numbers would dictate the Red Sox shouldn’t have a starter in the infield, outfield, or behind the plate.

There are certainly cases of hard luck. Adrian Beltre leads American League third basemen with a .325 average, though his power numbers don’t touch those of current-vote leading Rays third-baseman Evan Longoria. Similarly, Beltre’s average is head and shoulders better than second-place Alex Rodriguez‘ .291, though Rodriguez has the edge in homers (six to Beltre’s three), RBI (32 to 26), OBP (.375 to .360) and slugging percentage (.485 to .466), among other categories. Same goes for Michael Young, which is why Beltre and his stellar average haven’t cracked 100,000 votes.

The most unfortunate case may be that of Kevin Youkilis, who finds himself fifth among first basemen with 150,702 votes. The injustice isn’t that he trails Justin Morneau, whom he does in all fairness (Morneau’s numbers rival those of only Paul Konerko, another snub who unlike Youkilis does not rank in the top five vote-getters at first-base). The head-scratcher is that Teixeira, currently batting just .209 with seven homers, leads all first baseman, including Morneau and his .701 slugging percentage.

That may be about it though. As well as Pedroia has hit for power early on, the fans are trusting the numbers — and Cano has Pedroia beat in every traditional category — by choosing the Cano. The Yankees second baseman leads Pedroia in homers (nine), RBI (28), average (.335), and OPS (.956).

The 81st All Star Game will be played at Angel Stadium on July 13.

ST. LOUIS — So I become an American citizen and a week later I meet the President. That’s how it works for everybody, isn’t it?

Getting a chance to shake President Barack Obama’s hand prior to Tuesday night’s All-Star Game was undoubtedly the moment I’ll most remember when looking back at my third trip to the Midsummer Classic, but there was so much more than that. There always is.

Sure, I won’t forget the fact that we won the game, 4-3, especially if we find ourselves playing at home for the first game of the World Series. And I will always recall getting the chance to make the trip with my Red Sox teammates, especially first-timer Tim Wakefield. Yet, what separates these games are the little memories, such as having to catch my daughter from running on the field during the Home Run Derby. (Fortunately they were in a commercial break.)

Workout day. I run back in from the field to get sunglasses. Locker room completely empty except Ichiro stretching on the floor and his translator sitting on the chair beside him. Sow we make small talk, and I ask him where he lives in Seattle because I lived in the suburbs.

Well, I had barely got the last word out when Ichiro says something in Japanse. Then his translator turns to me, deadpanned and straight-faced and says, “I’m going to mess with your house.” The way he said it was malicious, and Ichiro is on the floor dying laughing like it was the funniest thing ever. I was just like, “OK, I’ll see you guys out there.” I didn’t know what to say. It was weird.

There was plenty more to come away with.

For example, from the time we went on the field one thing I couldn’t take my eyes off were the snipers on top of the stadium. Even in the fourth inning, I couldn’t stop looking at them because from where I was it looked like a video game, with the dark silhouette and with the sun setting. I’m thinking, “These are snipers! That’s so cool!”

Or coming to realize that they just played a recording of the Canadian National Anthem instead of having somebody come in and sing it. That seemed strange, that they couldn’t find anybody in St. Louis who knew “Oh Canada.” Morneau and I could have done it if they really needed somebody.

And then there was playing in the actual game (which was just 2 hours and 31 minutes, which is truly unbelievable). On the third pitch of my first at-bat I hit a single to center. Then I lined out to right on the first pitch I saw, in the fourth. Put it this way — you know you’re probably going to get fastballs from the best pitchers around, so you aren’t preaching patience. There’s no “Moneyballing” it in this game.

On my way out of the clubhouse at the end of the day — which I punctuated by pulling from my pocket a plastic grass ornament that my daughter hijacked from the lunch buffet — it was a great time with plenty of memories. Hopefully I’ll get another chance to do it all again next time around … even if it doesn’t mean meeting up with the President.

ST. LOUIS — President Barack Obama fielded some questions after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the 80th All-Star Game. He stepped into the Fox broadcast booth and offered some spirited rhetoric about baseball. He could not avoid partisan rhetoric, as Obama made no secret of his rooting interest in the Chicago White Sox. Here is a transcript of the appearance:

On being at the Game:

First of all, it’s as close to home as I’ve been in a while, and this is the national pastime. To go down there and meet Stan Musial and Bob Gibson and those guys, it’s such a reminder about what’s great in this country. You can’t beat that and it’s a real treat.

You have reached the highest office in the land. Your heart must have been pounding underneath that Sox jacket to throw out the ceremonial first pitch:

This is the second time. I threw it out during the American League Championship Series (in 2005). The (White) Sox ended up winning the World Series. And when you’re a senator, they show you no respect, so they just hand you the ball. You don’t get a chance to warm up. Now here, I was with Albert Pujols in teh batting cage practicing before.

Did you forget the baseline moves? Did you put the basketball down?

We did all practicing in the Rose Garden. But what is true, I’m a great baseball fan. I did not play organized baseball when I was a kid, so I think some of these natural moves are not so natural to me.

The White Sox winning the World Series back in 2005, being a fan for so long, that had to be a thrill for you.

It was just wonderful. I was just talking to Jerry Reinsdorf, the White Sox owner, about this, after I threw out my pitch, they won eight straight after losing the first game (of the ALCS). Any of these teams need a lefty?

Who wins it all in 2009?

It’s a little early for that. You know, I tend to try to get a little more information. I tell you what, though, what’s been interesting about baseball this year, other than the Dodgers, who have been (playing) great baseball, there’s a lot of parity, which I think is terrific, because it means everybody around the country has a little bit of hope for the team. One may be the exception, the Nationals, who are still young and have a new ballpark.

You honored the Phillies in the White House:

Wonderful people, Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, the whole crew there was just a class act and I like the way they play. They are a scrappy team, and (had a) real team bond, so very impressive. My campaign manager, he was from Delaware, so he was a crazy Phillies fan, and them winning kept him in a good mood.

Right on cue, as Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino gets a base hit to right.

Since I grew up in Hawaai, this kid, while we were down in the clubhouse, he actually gave me some macadamia nuts from back home.

He is the first position player to come out of Hawaii. There have been three pitchers, but he’s the first position player. The National League has Molina at the plate; as you know the N.L. hasn’t won the All-Star Game since 1996.

This is a problem.

ST. LOUIS — Tim Wakefield might not get to pitch in the 80th All-Star Game. After waiting for 17 seasons to reach the showcase event, it is entirely possible that the 42-year-old will not have the opportunity to pitch in it. 

A.L. manager Joe Maddon, who selected Wakefield for the All-Star roster, told the knuckleballer that he is being held back should the game reach extra innings, since the right-hander is rested and can provide multiple insurance innings. As has been the case throughout his career, Wakefield has no problems with the manner in which the manager would like to proceed. 

“I am the extra-inning guy. (Maddon) had to project at least 16 innings out. Based on my availability today – because I was scheduled to pitch yesterday (on a normal rotation turn, since he last started on Thursday) – I think I’m the only guy who has the multiple inning insurance policy for us,” said Wakefield. “I’m just happy to be here. If I pitch, great. If not, it’s not a big deal. It doesn’t matter. I’m not going to be upset either way.”

Wakefield’s perspective is in part drawn from the fact that his experience at the All-Star Game has been nothing short of spectacular. Players from both sides have come up to the knuckleballer to offer their enthusiasm for his first selection to the contest.

“It’s been overwhelming. Very much so. I’m trying to soak it all in. It will probably hit me after we leave, when I fly home tomorrow. It’s been so chaotic the last two days. I’m just trying to slow things down and enjoy it as much as I can,” Wakefield beamed. “Tomorrow, after the game is over tonight, hopefully I get in the game and can reflect on it a little better.”

Players have sought out Wakefield in order to exchange pleasantries or pose for pictures. Yesterday, Wakefield said cheese with a group that included flamethrower Felix Hernandez, Rays star third baseman Evan Longoria and Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez. He also talked at some length with longtime Yankee rivals Mariano Rivera and Derek Jeter, both of whom debuted for New York in the same year (1995) that Wakefield first appeared with the Red Sox.

“I know the two guys from playing against them all these years,” said Wakefield. “We’ve built an across-the-lines friendship where we say hi to each other. But it’s pretty cool to be in the same clubhouse as the Yankee greats, those two.”

The mere fact of Wakefield’s selection to the game has given some prominence not only to his career — the 189 career wins, 175 of which have come with the Red Sox; the longevity, durability and reliability that have been hallmarks of his tenure — but also to his pitch.

The knuckleball ranks have been sparse in recent years. There have been times when Wakefield has been the pitch’s only practitioner in the majors; right now, Twins reliever R.A. Dickey also employs the pitch. Wakefield and Dickey stay in frequent contact, as the Sox starter is more than happy to offer pointers whenever his Minnesota counterpart can use them. 

The All-Star selection for Wakefield, of course, could serve to raise the profile of his pitch, a development that the pitcher would clearly celebrate.

“I’d like to see that happen. I don’t know if it will,” said Wakefield. “I like to see the fact that the knuckleball is on the map again. Hopefully it will spark some interest in some organizations and other pitchers.”

At the least, it has sparked a great deal of interest in St. Louis in Wakefield. For that fact alone, the pitcher has not been able to stop smiling since landing in St. Louis.

Joe Maddon touched on a variety of points today in addressing the media about the All Star Game with  Charlie Manuel. Among the things discussed were pitchers, the omission of a catcher, and whether having some alternates could pay off.

Tim Wakefield has gotten a great deal of attention in the past few days, both for this being his first selection and for him getting the nod despite a 4.30 ERA. To Maddon, the biggest thing that surrounds Wakefield is the fact that there is no catcher on the roster prepared to catch a knuckleballer.

“It’s not going to be easy,” said Maddon of the challenge that either Joe Mauer or Victor Martinez could face in St. Louis. “If you have not caught a knuckleball pitcher before, it’s no fun, obviously.”

No fun is what Jason Varitek had in Game 5 of the 2004 ALCS in the top of the 13th inning. Like Mauer and Martinez, Varitek didn’t have experience caddying a knuckleballer and it was apparent three passed balls later.

Wakefield’s lack of batterymate could be a shame if his skills are wasted, as Maddon views him as someone who could be used in a longer relief role.

“He is the kind of guy that you know can pitch multiple innings very easily,” said Maddon. “Probably the more difficult side of that would be who’s going to catch him. We’ll discuss that with him when I get the chance to visit with him in person.”

Maddon said he elected to only go with just two catchers rather than bringing aboard Oakland’s Kurt Suzuki as Oakland’s representative. Closer Andrew Bailey was instead chosen despite blowing four of his 14 save opportunities. Maddon said he made the decision based on the rule that allows the starting catcher to re-enter the game in the event of an injury to the starter.

“Two catchers equals three catchers in the All Star Game,” said Maddon. “Whoever starts is really the third catcher once he comes out of the game.”

Coming off an impressive outing last night against Oakland, Josh Beckett is in line to make one more start on Sunday against Kansas City, which will give him only one day of rest for Tuesday’s game.  Fearing the worst in another 15-inning fiasco like last year’s game (a game in which, in case you forgot, JD Drew was going to pitch the 16th), Maddon talked about the possibility of MLB allowing pitching alternates who would serve more of a purpose than starters who would be risking their health.

“If you’re going to try to play this game to its conclusion and you’re trying to win the actual game, you definitely have to have enough pitching,” said Maddon. “You don’t want to hurt anybody during the course of this game. One of the major things you do on a daily basis as a Major League manager is monitor your arms, whether [they're] starters or relievers, and you really take care of these guys.

“We may have a couple of [pitchers who are starting Sunday] that I’ve already spoken to at least one of the managers [about],” added Maddon. “We really want to utilize those pitchers in the briefest of moments, but nevertheless I’ve been told that they can pitch.”

It is doubtful that anyone would want Beckett to go on just one day of rest, which is understandable, and the idea of having some alternates on hand is intriguing. While it’s obviously a change that won’t come this year, it seems like a win-win down the road: Beckett would still get the distinction and the AL doesn’t waste a roster spot.

“When it comes right down to it,” said Maddon, “it might be wise eventually to add some alternates just in case that scenario were to arise.”

Jonathan Papelbon has never read “Moneyball,” and so he has never taken much time to think about what the Athletics did in the 2002 draft. But the Red Sox closer is aware of part of Oakland’s activities that year, since he was taken out of Mississippi State by the A’s in the 40th round that summer.

Papelbon, then the Bulldogs’ closer, was a draft-eligible sophomore. The A’s liked his makeup and were impressed by his fastball, but Papelbon admitted that he was raw and had no intention of turning pro “unless I had been a first or second rounder.”

“I wasn’t ready to go, man,” said Papelbon.

Now, of course, he is ready to go to St. Louis for his fourth straight year as an All-Star game, solidifying his credentials as one of the best closers in the game. Last year, Papelbon became ensnared in controversy when the game was hosted at Yankee Stadium because of his statement that he’d like to close in Mariano Rivera’s home park.

(Papelbon later clarified that he was merely suggesting that he always wanted to close, but that he planned to defer any game-ending lead to Rivera. The matter became moot when the game went 15 innings, and the A.L. won in walk-off fashion.)

This year, Papelbon says that he would love to be the man on the mound in the ninth inning, with the opportunity to close out a victory and guarantee his league home-field advantage in the World Series.

“Of course I want to close (the All-Star game). Every closer there is going to want to close. There’s no difference (among them),” said Papelbon. “But (Rays manager Joe Maddon, the A.L. All-Star Game manager) is going to make the decision there.”

Papelbon, who struck out the side in the ninth inning on Tuesday, is now 21 of 23 in save opportunities this year, with a 1.70 ERA.