Regarding the All Star game, La Russa is returning as the manager of the NL squad. His pitching coaches for the game will be his long-time pitching coach Dave Duncan and current St. Louis pitching coach Derek Lilliquist. It will be interesting to see who they choose as the starter. It has been well established that Duncan hates young pitchers (especially the ones on his own teams), but maybe he has mellowed out in his time off from the game. I have to believe that Lilliquist will push for Lynn. I suspect that La Russa will want the veteran with the strongest arm to start the game. It won't be Dickey. The AL has seen enough knuckleballs from Wakefield over the years that they won't be surprised by Dickey. Of course, timing will play a major role, too. I haven't checked the scheduled starting days for all the top starters in the NL, but I know that La Russa wouldn't push a starter on short rest.
One more thing: I'm guessing FOX will have their say. They will want big names to start. And professional sports are so intertwined with corporate media that it may be their decision, anyway.
