Cliff Lee, Domonic Brown Selected for NL All Star Team

The rosters for the AL and NL All-Star Game have been announced, and Cliff Lee and Domonic Brown have made it. This will be Lee's fourth ASG appearance, and his inclusion this year is no surprise. He's been the best pitcher on the Phillies staff. In 18 games this season, Lee has a 2.73 ERA.

But Domonic Brown's inclusion was no sure thing. I was delightfully surprised to hear his name called as one of the NL outfield reserves. In 86 games and 345 plate appearances, Brown has a .279 average. He has 22 home runs, good for second place in the NL and sixth in all of baseball. I feel he deserves it, but I'll be the first to admit that I'm hugely biased. I'm so excited for him -- this season is what I've wanted for him since he broke on to the scene in 2010, and his selection is just another wonderful thing to happen to him this year. You go, Dom.

The biggest surprise to me was the exclusion of Jonathan Papelbon. He wasn't anywhere, and he wasn't on the final vote lineup. His four straight blown saves and annoying/stupid public comments came at an inopportune time, so that could have made a difference.