The All Class All-Star Team

There is just not enough good news in sports these days. While thinking about All Star snubs and slights, I thought about those players that represent themselves and the game in a way that the fans appreciate.

Thus, here is my list of the Class Acts of the game by position.

Some of the players are very young and a few are among the games elders at their respective positions, however all exude the class an organization can be proud of.

Like any list there is plenty of room for debate, and this is simply one mans opinion, but here we go!

Manager: Manny Acta

A sentimental pick here as Acta has been a manager in the majors for less than two years, yet he got fired just before the All Star break with the worst record in baseball.

The Nationals are a horrible organization with questions about who is actually running the organization.

When Acta was hired, it was applauded in baseball circles, as he was known for his positive attitude as well as a modern-day approach to the game.

How anyone could have been successful with the team he was handed this year is beyond belief. I keep seeing the video of balls bouncing by, over, and off Adam Dunn.

Acta will reappear as a manager in the majors someday.

First Base: Carlos Pena

This was an easy choice. You can debate whether Pena deserved a spot on this year's All-Star team but not his character.

The 2007 Comeback Player of the Year and Northeastern University grad has traveled from the Rangers organization, where he was drafted, to Oakland, Detroit. the Yankees, and Boston before landing successfully in Tampa.

Pena plays the game with enthusiasm and a smile on his face and really appreciates the opportunity he was given in Tampa which he obviously took advantage of.

It would have been easy for Pena to bash those organizations mentioned for letting him get away but that is not the type of person Carlos Pena is.

Second Base: Ian Kinsler

While many thought that Kinsler represented the biggest snub by not being selected to the 2009 All Star team, you haven't heard a word from Kinsler himself.

Kinsler, a 2008 All Star finished second in the fans vote behind Dustin Pedroia yet was overlooked when Pedroia could not make the event due to his wife's medical condition.

Manager Joe Maddon decided to take Carlos Pena of the Rays instead.

Kinsler finished second to Brandon Inge in the fans' final vote contest and had the fifth most votes overall in this year's fans balloting.

Shortstop: Derek Jeter

Another easy choice. The Yankee Captain always handles himself well on the world's biggest stage.

Not much more that needs to be said here.

Third Base: Chipper Jones

The lifetime Brave has become one of the game's elder statesman. The former NL MVP won the batting title in 2008 at the age of 36.

Jones is beloved in Atlanta and has always said that he wants to finish his career as a Brave.

Center Field: Curtis Granderson

The well-spoken Granderson will certainly be heard from long after his baseball playing days are over, most likely with a job in the media.

He was employed by TBS after the 2007 and 2008 seasons as part of their post-season coverage team.

Right Field: Shane Victorino

Referred to during last year's World Series as the "Hawaiian Punch" or the "Flyin Hawaiian," Victorino is known for his aggressive defense and baserunning skills.

He has become one of the leaders in the Phillies clubhouse.

He was selected to his first All Star game this year and before the game presented President Obama with Hawaiian Macadamian nuts, which the President got a huge kick out of.

Left Field - Jason Bay

The quiet man in left field for the Red Sox has been quite the opposite of Manny Ramirez, his predecessor in left.

Bay has handled the pressure of replacing Ramirez better than anyone could have possibly expected both on and off the field.

He quickly acclimated himself to the Red Sox clubhouse as well as Red Sox Nation.

Starting Pitcher - Tim Wakefield

The starting pitcher and honorary Captain of this squad is one of the classiest men ever to don a uniform.

Wake has been nominated seven times for the Roberto Clemente Award, which is presented to the player who best represents the spirit of giving back to the community.

Wakefield has many times shuttled back and fourth from starter to reliever for the Red Sox without complaining and has an ongoing contractual option with the team at $4 million per year, unheard of in today's game.

Closer - Mariano Rivera

The greatest closer in the history of the game is also one of it's classiest players.

Jonathon Papelbon and Joe Nathan quietly and respectfully deferred to Rivera to close out this year's game and the strategy worked to perfection with Rivera logging his fourth All-Star save, a new record.

Catcher - Brad Ausmus

Ausmus will not end up in the Hall of Fame by any stretch yet the Ivy League grad (Dartmouth) entered this season ninth all-time in games caught, second in total chances and putouts and third in fielding percentage.

Known throughout his career as a premier defensive catcher he is also known as an excellent leader and would make a good manager if he decided to go in that direction after his playing career.

Ausmus won the 2007 Darryl Kile Award for "Integrity and Courage," presented by the Baseball Writers Association.