Hunter has peers' respect

He wasn't voted into the American League's starting lineup for the All-Star Game -- Southern Californians obviously preferring other pursuits -- but Torii Hunter was a slam-dunk All-Star choice among his peers.

In fact, only three AL players appeared on more ballots than the Angels' superlative center fielder in the balloting conducted of the athletes themselves: catcher Joe Mauer, outfielder Jason Bay and third baseman Evan Longoria, in that order.

Hunter collected the second most votes among AL outfielders -- 470, behind Bay (522) and ahead of Ichiro Suzuki (433). Texas' Josh Hamilton was not among the top five in the players' balloting, but he'll start alongside Bay and Ichiro.

Hamilton's popularity skyrocketed during his memorable Home Run Derby show last season, but his performance this season in no way compares to that of Hunter, a legitimate MVP candidate.

Mauer, who led all AL players with 618 votes, is also having an MVP-type season. Another Twins slugger, Justin Morneau, outpolled former Angel and current Yankee Mark Teixeira among the players by a comfortable margin (354-282).

The top vote-getter among all players, both leagues, was -- surprise -- outfielder Raul Ibanez of the Phillies. He was named on 670 ballots, ahead of shortstop Hanley Ramirez (664) and first baseman Albert Pujols (650).

Francisco Rodriguez was the leading vote-getter among NL relievers with 180, while Joe Nathan -- yet another Twins star -- was the choice of AL players with 223 votes.

Hunter will be in St. Louis, but he clearly deserves to be in center field when the starters are announced. There hasn't been a better player, all-around, in the American League this season with the possible exception of Mauer, his former teammate.