This week's All-Star Game festivities in Anaheim featured a decidedly Los Angeles Angels and Minnesota Twins flavor. The reason for this was the very prominent roles of Angels centerfielder Torii Hunter and Hall of Famer Rod Carew.

Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel has had an incredibly impressive three-year run. Manuel led the Phils to their first World Series title since 1980, while capturing two consecutive National League Championships along the way.

The New York Yankees are sitting comfortably atop the baseball world with a record of 56-32.  The defending World Series Champions have been operating on all cylinders during the first half of the 2010 season.  

Because of their stellar play, the Yanks are very well represented at Tuesday's All-Star Game in Anaheim, California.  

Minnesota Twins centerfielder Denard Span has experienced a very eventful last few months. 

Span's first bit of significant news took place in November, when the Twins traded fellow outfielder Carlos Gomez to the Milwaukee Brewers for shortstop J.J. Hardy. This transaction cleared the way for Span to assume the role of the Twins' everyday centerfielder.  

While Los Angeles Lakers games usually serve as the sports world's equivalent to the Academy Awards, last weekend this distinction moved north three miles up the 110 Freeway from Staples Center to Dodger Stadium.

This weekend, Los Angeles Dodgers' left fielder Manny Ramirez makes his long anticipated return to Fenway Park, as the Dodgers battle the Boston Red Sox in an incredibly high profile interleague matchup. 

St. Louis Cardinals' pitcher Chris Carpenter boasts a 73-25 record and a 2.92 ERA, during his seven seasons in Missouri. This season, the trend has continued, as Carpenter stands at 5-1, with a 3.09 ERA. 

Because of these remarkable numbers, many baseball fans forget that Carpenter was once a .500 pitcher, when he threw for the Toronto Blue Jays. Carpenter spent six seasons in Canada, compiling a record of 49-50, with a 4.83 ERA.

While the current version of the Detroit Tigers are best known for their offensive productivity, the rock of this era of Motor City baseball is and has been the right arm of pitcher Justin Verlander.  

Boston Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester has experienced more by age 26, than most people do within an entire lifetime.

The Tacoma, Washington native has beaten cancer, pitched a no-hitter and earned a win in a World Series clinching game.

Lester enters Thursday's game vs. the Minnesota Twins with a career record of 45-18.

Oakland Athletics' pitcher Dallas Braden and San Francisco Giants' pitcher Barry Zito are left handed hurlers for Bay Area baseball teams.  Aside from that, the two have pretty much nothing in common.