Albert Pujols - Jamie Squire - Getty Images

The All-Star was this last week, and it brought about a similar result…the American League beating the National League. I have to admit that I really enjoy watching the All-Star game, but it doesn’t surprise me that the American League typically wins. The National League has really good players, but the American League just has studs.

I mean, look at the lineups. Batting third was Joe Mauer for the American League and Albert Pujols. Tight call, but Pujols wins. That’s the only one close though.

Batting fourth, Ryan Braun for the National League and Mark Texiera for the American League. Batting Fifth, is Raul Ibanez for the National League and Jason Bay for the American League.

Finally, batting sith, is Josh Hamilton for the American League and David Wright for the National League.

In each of those last three cases, the American League wins. Those guys just cause more fear because they have done far more damage than the guy in the other league. Not that the guys in the National League are bad in any way…it just seems that the American League carries the higher caliber of talent. (Perhaps they just pay more…)

Anyway, Carl Crawford stole the night by robbing a homerun and rightfully deserved the MVP.

The one thing that stood out for me from this All-Star game was Albert Pujols. He wasn’t the MVP and didn’t win the homerun derby, but he participated. He gave to the fans and told them thanks for all they had given him.

I went to the homerun derby two years ago, and it was such a shame that Barry Bonds didn’t compete. He was their stud and would have received such an ovation, but it apparently was too much for him. He could have just done a couple of token swings (like the contest Albert did this year), but he wouldn’t do it.

Albert just seems to better understand that the Homerun Derby and All-Star game are for the fans. I realize the derby can mess up a players swing, but it is the one chance for a player to truly receive the warmth of the fans. Sadly, Barry Bonds missed that, but Albert got to recieve it.

Here was a great article (click here) on Albert Pujols, his work ethic and his faith. Yahoo sports writter Jeff Passan did a great job.

The only real thing that did come out of the All-Star game is that the Dodgers won’t have home field advantage in the World Series. Just another hurdle I guess, but nothing too difficult. Go Blue.