MLB All-Star Game: Why Ken Griffey Jr. Belongs in Center

Tuesday's MLB All-Star Game will put a golden age of baseball on display, even with the stench of steroids trailing Barry Bonds.

There are six surefire Hall-of-Famers in the two starting lineups—and that's not including Ichiro Suzuki, who I'd bet will be enshrined.

There is one Hall lock in particular who should be accorded a special honor Tuesday: It would be deeply respectful for Carlos Beltran to offer to play right field in the first inning...so Ken Griffey Jr. can play center one more time on the national stage.

Griffey's election to the NL starting lineup speaks to his perseverance, and proves that all we Rotisserie "owners" aren't nearly as smart as we think we are. Junior missed what for most players would be a career's worth of games...and yet here he is, still excelling, the ultimate antidote to Bonds.

Beyond Griffey, the starting lineups are packed tight with superstars, players who have profoundly impacted baseball in their time. Starting with Bonds, the centerpiece player of his generation but probably second to Griffey in their respective primes, these lineups include:

Ichiro

The man who changed attitudes about Japanese—indeed Asian—players. Though he's a .331 career hitter through 2006, batting average only hints at Ichiro's significance. Broken stereotypes aside, he plays the game with zest, grace, and smarts.

He's a truly superior ballplayer. And he'll look ghastly in pinstripes.

Derek Jeter

What can I possibly say about Jeter that hasn't already been said? A winner? The best of his generation. A leader? The word captain hasn't been bestowed on a more worthy player. I'm from Boston, but I can't help but marvel at Jeter's talent and accomplishments.

If he's not a first ballot Hall-of-Famer, there shouldn't be a vote. He'll walk into Cooperstown on the first try.

Alex Rodriguez 

He's showing what he can do. Unfortunately, his accomplishments on the field don't get near the attention his screw-ups do; he's done some juvenile stuff, but it's always been when trying to win.

If A-Rod gets comfortable and manages to stay healthy for the rest of his career, he'll hit 800 homers. If he has one great postseason, his play may be otherworldly for the remainder of his prime.

Vladimir Guerrero

Vlad is a show unto himself: ripping homers from every angle, firing bullets from right field, fans can't take their eyes off the guy. Wilton's gotta wonder why his gene pool didn't include his brother's bigger-than-the-game talents.

Pudge Rodriguez

He influenced every game he caught. He played baseball's most demanding position in wilting heat and never faltered. He's been a world champion. He's earned 12 Gold Gloves and hit 285 homers and stolen 112 bases. He's batted leadoff and second when necessary.

He's as good as Johnny Bench...and could there be a better compliment?

Griffey

'Nuf said.

Jose Reyes might be a lock someday—certainly if he continues to play as well as he has. Prince Fielder, David Wright, and the impressive Russell Martin are still young, but have been outstanding.

Beltran and Chase Utley are excellent players, but I think they'll come up short. I feel the same way about David Ortiz and Magglio Ordonez.

On Tuesday, though, they'll all share the spotlight. Here's hoping Junior winds up on center stage, right where he belongs.