Shortstop Barry Larkin played his whole career with the Cincinnati Reds. He played in 2,180 games in his 19 years with the Reds and he was 2,340 of 7,937 (.295 avg, .815 OPS) with 1,329 runs scored, 198 homers, 960 RBIs and 379 stolen bases. Barry Larkin was at his best for the Reds in 1995 and 1996 when he won back to back MVP Awards in the N.L. Larkin played in 131 games in 1995 in which he was 158 of 496 (.319 avg, .886 OPS) with 98 runs scored, 15 homers, 66 RBIs and 51 steals. He was even better in 1996 when he played in 152 games in which he was 154 of 517 (.298 avg, .977 OPS) with 117 runs scored, 33 homers, 89 RBIs and 36 stolen bases. Larkin played in 12 All-Star Games, won 8 Silver Slugger Awards and 3 Gold Gloves for the Reds. He is #3 all-time in Reds’ history in games played (2,180). Larkin is also #3 in runs scored (1,329), #2 in hits (2,340), #2 in doubles (441), #9 in homers (198), #6 in RBIs (960), #3 in walks (939) and he is #3 in stolen bases (379) in the history of the Cincinnati Reds. Whether Larkin gets in Baseball’s Hall of Fame or not he is one of the best players in the history of the Cincinnati Reds.

2B Brandon Phillips, 3B Scott Rolen and lefty reliever Arthur Rhodes are all heading to the All-Star Game next week. Phillips has played in 82 games for the Reds this season and he is 103 of 334 (.308 avg, .852 OPS) with 63 runs scored, 11 homers, 28 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. Amazingly this will be Phillips’ first All-Star appearance. Scott Rolen will be playing in his sixth All-Star Game next week. He has played in 74 games for the Reds this season and he is 80 of 265 (.302 avg, .945 OPS) with 42 runs scored, 17 homers and 56 RBIs. Rolen also has a very solid glove which likely means he’ll be in the game late for the N.L. 40-year old lefty reliever Arthur Rhodes will be in his first All-Star Team of his long career. He has pitched in 37 games (0 starts) for the Reds this season and he is 3-2 with a 1.09 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP. Rhodes has only given up 18 hits in 33 innings this season.

UPDATE: (7/8/2010) - 26-year old lefty swinging 1B Joey Votto has been elected by the fans to the All-Star team with the “Final Vote”. Votto has played in 80 games for the Reds this year and he is 92 of 294 (.313 avg, 1.006 OPS) with 56 runs scored, 21 homers, 59 RBIs and 7 stolen bases. The fans finally got this right as Votto is without a doubt the best player on the Reds.