How Can It Be An All-Star Game Without Johan?

It's been 48 hours since Major League baseball announced its rosters for the 2008 Midsummer Classic. Since then I've looked at the National League roster about 137 times and there was one player's name I couldn't find: Mets ace Johan Santana. Sure, Mets fans could make the argument that Jose Reyes or David Wright (currently second in the Final Vote, trailing the Brewers' Corey Hart) are more deserving than the Mets' sole representative, Billy Wagner; I think it's an injustice that Santana didn't make the squad. Okay, maybe injustice is a little too strong of a word. Nevertheless, he should be representing the Mets a week from tonight in the Bronx. While on paper, Santana's record doesn't look very all-star worthy, I beg to differ. Sure, Santana is 7-7 on the year. As unimpressive as that looks, he's been a victim of run support. His 2.98 ERA ranks 5th in the National League. He's also 5th in strikeouts (108), 5th in K/BB (3.41), and 7th in WHIP (1.14). His record might be ugly, but it's obvious he's putting up all-star numbers. An argument can be made that the Mets first half struggles hurt Santana's chances, but I think if anything they should have helped him. Think of how bad the Mets would have been this season if Santana wasn't a member of the rotation. When the Mets acquired Santana this past off-season, I didn't think he'd be that much of an impact pitcher, but he's a big reason the Mets are only a game-and-a-half behind the Phillies. Unfortunately other players and Clint Hurdle don't see it my way. The Mets poor first half, not only affected Santana's record, they also affected an All-Star birth. The only way now Santana will get to take the mound at Yankee Stadium on July 15th is if a pitcher goes down with an injury, and he is chosen as a replacement.