Even Texas’ tempestuous Milton Bradley, who is making his first appearance in a nine-year career in which he’s played more than 100 games in only two of these seasons because of the frequent pain his injuries have caused him, and the frequent pain his eruptions have caused others.

Or even root for J.D. Drew, a one-time hot prospect whose too-naked pursuit of the dollar and too-brittle body has often rated him somewhere between disappointment and pariah. Finally healthy and riding the momentum from his strong play during last year’s World Series run, the Boston outfielder is making the inaugural All-Star appearance many thought he would have made years ago.

Speaking of injuries, it still seems a miracle that oft-injured Kerry Wood of Chicago has a right arm that can pick up a fork, much less be able to close the game for the NL and make his first All-Star appearance since 2003.

Washington shortstop Cristian Guzman hasn’t been picked for the All-Star Game since 2001, when he was an up-and-coming star for Minnesota. After three more productive years with the Twins, Guzman signed a free-agent deal, and immediately his batting average sunk below the dreaded Mendoza line. He missed 2006 with a shoulder injury, and played only 46 games last year. Now hale and healthy, Guzman is leading the NL in hits and doubles, making him more than just the awful Nationals’ necessary representative.

Philadelphia closer Brad Lidge is representative of the revenge of the written-off not only because he’s in the All-Star Game after going from hero to goat in Houston, but also because the Phillies, only months after acquiring him, on July 7 signed him to a three-year, $37.5 million deal.

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And in all the comeback stories, you can’t forget Houston shortstop Miguel Tejada. His name got dragged all over the place through all the talk about steroids, his name appearing in the Mitchell Report. Houston risked trading for him anyway, and the former Oriole and Athletic has rewarded the Astros with an All-Star season.

Though come to think of it, Tejada’s offensive numbers are his worst since 1999, his first full year as a starter in Oakland. He’s near the bottom of most offensive categories among NL shortstops. It’s not like the NL had to take him as Houston’s representative, not with Lance Berkman in the game and having such a spectacular season.

Perhaps this means that 2008 is such a great year for the has-beens and never-weres, Tejada was picked for the All-Star Game to win one for all the small-time players who didn’t deserve a chance to get there.

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