Chicago Herald-American

Not a big surprise that the Cubs and Sox combined for just two All-Stars -- and both Mark Buehrle and Ted Lilly were selected by the managers, not the fans. What is surprising is that both teams are 2 1/2 games out of first place. The Cubs and Sox have had bad years at the same time before, but rarely if ever have they had so few All-Stars when they were in contention.

It's only the second time in the 75-year history of the All-Star Game that Chicago has not had a position player in the Midsummer Classic. The only other time was in 1942, when pitchers Claude Passeau of the Cubs and Edgar Smith of the White Sox played in the first wartime All-Star Game.

The last time Chicago had just two representatives in the All-Star Game was 1998, when Sammy Sosa represented the Cubs and Ray Durham represented the White Sox. Only four times has it happened in the last 40 years: 1982 (Carlton Fisk, Leon  Durham); 1978 (Chet Lemon, Bruce Sutter) and 1976 (Rich Gossage, Steve Swisher).

Dave Duncan strikes again

Albert Pujols is the biggest reason the Cardinals are leading the National League Central and 2 1/2 games ahead of the Cubs. But Ryan Franklin is another. The 36-year-old right-hander is the latest reclamation project for underrated Cardinals pitching coach  Dave Duncan. Franklin was 51-67 in his seven-year career entering this season, mostly as a starter. But has 20 saves for the Cardinals this season and is 20-for-21 overall in save situations.

Franklin also was named to the All-Star team Sunday. He's the seventh pitcher to make his first All-Star team while pitching for Duncan. The others: Steve Ontiveros (1995), Mike Moore (1989), Dave Stewart (1989), Kent Bottenfield (1999), Woody Williams (2003) and Chris Carpenter (2005). It was the only All-Star appearance for all but Carpenter, who has played in two.

The no-$#!& headline of the day

   And for a minute there I thought Steve McNair shot himself four times.