Sporting News honors for Quentin, Soto

White Sox outfielder Carlos Quentin and Cubs catcher Geovany Soto were both named to The Sporting News' 2008 all-star teams for their respective leagues.

Second baseman Chase Utley and closer Brad Lidge of the league champion Phillies headline The Sporting News' 2008 National League All-Star team, while three teams - including the Indians - have two players on Sporting News' American League All-Star team.

A panel of 41 general managers and assistant general managers from both leagues chose the teams.

Utley hit a career-high 33 home runs and collected more than 100 RBIs for the fourth consecutive season, and Lidge was 41-for-41 in save opportunities and a 1.95 ERA.

Meanwhile, general managers and assistant GMs selected Twins catcher Joe Mauer and first baseman Justin Morneau, Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez and shortstop Derek Jeter and Indians outfielder Grady Sizemore and starting pitcher Cliff Lee.

"He had tremendous control this year," Rays catcher and Lee victim (0-for-10) Dioner Navarro told Sporting News. "He can beat you with so many pitches - fastball, curve, two-seamer, changeup - and he can throw those in any count."

Rounding out the American League team are Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia, White Sox outfielder Carlos Quentin, Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton, Orioles D.H. Aubrey Huff and Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez.

Joining Utley and Lidge on the N.L. team are Cubs catcher Geovany Soto, Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols, Mets third baseman David Wright, Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez, Rockies outfielder Matt Holliday, Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun, Cardinals outfielder Ryan Ludwick and Giants starting pitcher Tim Lincecum.

"You don't see many guys his size throwing that hard, but it's not so much his size and deception. It's the stuff," Utley told Sporting News of Lincecum. "He has 'A' stuff. The scary thing is he's still learning to pitch."

The complete package of Sporting News' MLB awards is in this week's magazine.

TSN all-star teams

American League

C Joe Mauer, Twins

1B Justin Morneau, Twins

2B Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox

3B Alex Rodriguez, Yankees

SS Derek Jeter, Yankees

OF Carlos Quentin, White Sox

OF Josh Hamilton, Rangers

OF Grady Sizemore, Indians

DH Aubrey Huff, Orioes

SP Cliff Lee, Indians

RP Francisco Rodriguez, Angels

National League

C Geovany Soto, Cubs

1B Albert Pujols, Cardinals

2B Chase Utley, Phillies

3B David Wright, Mets

SS Hanley Ramirez, Marlins

OF Matt Holliday, Rockies

OF Ryan Braun, Brewers

OF Ryan Ludwick, Cardinals

SP Tim Lincecum, Giants

RP Brad Lidge, Phillies