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Ex-big leaguer from Brownwood casts his All-Star ballot
Gleaton's All-Star Picks
American League
FIRST BASE
Jason Giambi, Yankees: "Tough playing in the Big Apple and he survived the steroid use. Good guy."
SECOND BASE
Asdrubal Cabrera, Indians: "Plays hard." (Editor's note: Cabrera is now playing in the minor leagues.)
THIRD BASE
Alex Rodriguez, Yankees: "Tough to play in the Big Apple and his past numbers are hard to ignore."
SHORTSTOP
Jason Bartlett, Rays: "Part of a young team that goes out and plays hard every day."
CATCHER
Ivan Rodriguez, Tigers: "Need someone to shut down the run game."
DESIGNATED HITTER
Hideki Matsui, Yankees: "Likes short porch at Yankee Stadium."
OUTFIELD
J.D. Drew, Red Sox: "Almost as tough a place to play as N.Y. Good numbers for a lefty in Fenway."
Josh Hamilton, Rangers: "Great story and leading the league in RBIs."
Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners: "Nice guy to lead off to get things started for the big boys."
PITCHERS
Justin Duchscherer, Athletics: 8-5 with top ERA in MLB (1.91)
Cliff Lee, Indians: 11-1 with a 2.26 ERA and tied for the most wins in the American League.
Joe Saunders, Angels: 11-4 with a 3.06 ERA and tied for the most wins in the American League
National League
FIRST BASE
Lance Berkman, Astros: "Did not know he was listed as a first baseman. Great stats."
SECOND BASE
Chase Utley, Phillies: "Second baseman with power. Got to like that."
THIRD BASE
Chipper Jones, Braves: "Nothing needs to be said. Probably one of the best switch hitters of all time."
SHORTSTOP
Hanley Ramirez, Marlins: "Don't know much about him other than his stats are good."
CATCHER
Russell Martin, Dodgers: "Don't know much about him. Has good stats."
OUTFIELD
Matt Holliday, Rockies: "Hard worker with a lot of pop in his bat."
Corey Hart, Brewers: "Like his stats."
Xavier Nady, Pirates: "Somebody from Pittsburgh has to make it."
PITCHER
Edinson Volquez, Reds: "Finishes what he starts."
Tim Lincecum, Giants: "Great numbers."
Brandon Webb, Diamondbacks: "Cy Young guy who is a great leader."
More Local Sports Baseball's "Midsummer Classic," the All-Star Game, returns to New York City on July 15 -- but we have to wait only a few more hours before finding out which players the fans selected as the starters.
The fan vote will be announced at 1 p.m. on cable television network TBS (cable Channel 24 in Abilene). Fans may select starters for every spot but pitcher. Pitchers are chosen by the All-Star managers.
While many of us feel like experts when it comes to choosing All-Stars, who would a former major leaguer who has played at the highest level deem worthy of being an All Star?
We asked Brownwood's Jerry Don Gleaton, a former major league pitcher, to make picks for each position for both leagues, giving insight into each selection.
Gleaton played in the major leagues for all or parts of 12 seasons. He debuted with the Texas Rangers in 1979, and pitched -- mostly in relief -- in the majors through 1992 with the Seattle Mariners, Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Royals, Detroit Tigers and Pittsburgh Pirates. After his baseball career ended, Gleaton returned to his Brownwood hometown.
Gleaton enjoyed his best year in 1990 with the Tigers, when he had 13 saves and a 2.94 ERA.
"My favorite teams were the Royals and Tigers," Gleaton said. "I had the most success with them and felt part of the team because I was involved with wins and losses rather than mop-up duty."
Gleaton's major league career provided him the opportunity to live out his dream.
"I enjoyed the friendships you make and the different cities I traveled to," Gleaton said. "You always dream about it, but coming from Brownwood, you didn't think about it much."
Gleaton was a teammate of Hall of Famers George Brett and Carlton Fisk, perennial All-Stars Barry Bonds, Alan Trammell, Harold Baines and Lou Whitaker, and Cy Young Award winners Bret Saberhagen and Doug Drabek. So he's seen up close what it takes to excel in the majors.
But he also admires players who play hard. When making his All-Star picks, Gleaton chose some of the best-known ballplayers, but he also selected a number of lesser-known athletes who put forth extra effort.
Below are players Gleaton selected as the starters for this year's All-Star Game, with his comments about why he likes these players.
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