Paul Konerko is not an All-Star. I thought it was a foregone conclusion as the man is having an All-Star season. It got me thinking, as both teams full rosters were announced today. Yes, they were announced today! Now the only way you can see Konerko in Arizona, on the 12th, is the ‘Final Say’ vote. That’s were my problems exist. If the rosters were released today, than how did the t-shirt with “Paul Star” already get in circulation? It must be that big t-shirt maker they have at Wrigley. Even more suspicious, is the people wearing the shirt had front row seats behind the Sox dugout. I’m no conspiracy theorist, but something is fishy about that. Could Konerko have been left off the team to drum up more pub for the ‘Final Say’ vote, or is it just a coincidence? I’m just saying.

Congrats to Carlos Quentin who is deserving in his own way. It must be weird to be in the clubhouse for Quentin to look over at a guy whose batting average is 64 points better, has 4 more home runs, and 13 more RBI and know that you are headed to Arizona while the other guy (Konerko) is headed home. Another coincidence, Konerko just happens to live in Arizona. My money, and guarantee, is on Konerko playing in the game next Tuesday.

CJ Wilson’s an All-Star, and Phil Humber isn’t? Minus strikeouts, Humber’s stats are better across the board. They each have 8 wins. And don’t give me that every team has to have a player crap, because Josh Hamilton is in the starting lineup. I wonder how many guys will beg out between now and next Tuesday. I just can’t wait to see the Red Sox/Yankees game on the 12th. The All-Star voting selection is always a joke, and this year is no different.

Michael Jordan was in the crowd. He even had a smile on his face. For a guy who has the world at his fingertips, he sure comes across bitter and petty. I was glad he didn’t have bacon neck. I can guarantee you that random guys have shown him their drawers. People believe that if you are pushing a product than you know everything about it, and want to talk about it no matter what else you might be doing.

Nothing chaps my hide more than a journeyman pitcher, who is not even at the back end of his career, but pretty much in the backyard, dominates my team.

I’m talking about Rodrigo Lopez. Lopez, who has about 2 new MLB addresses a year, shutdown the Sox like a Cy Young winner he isn’t. Lopez only allowed 2 hits over 7 innings to improve his record to 8-18 over the past 2 seasons. His ERA over that same period of time: 5.03. Some where, Vin Mazzaro is saying, Told ya, I’m not the only guy who can win after sucking”.

Like Jake Peavy last week, Gavin Floyd made one bad pitch, and lost the game. Aramis Ramirez’ 2 run home run was the difference in today’s game. Cubs won 3-1.

Adam Dunn batting average of .165 is about 100 pounds less than he weighs. He only struck out once today, which means things are starting to look up. Staying positive, I am.

16 straight games for Sox against AL Central opponents. 7 home one’s before the All-Star break. It surly is not make or break time, but it’s time for the Sox to start beating their division opponent. Right now they have lost 16 of 22 games vs. their rivals.