In Mondays Open Ice, we took stock of the current goaltender performances by looking at who is a No. Cheap Nike Shoes . 1 and No. 2 fantasy goaltender based purely on statistics. This was an eye-opening reality check on just who is doing what this season.Its easy to hold on to positive and negative biases based on the plethora of preseason research we put into our fantasy hockey leagues, so the occasional reality check is a healthy exercise.Its time to do the same for the defensemen.Again, this is not like our ESPN fantasy hockey rest-of-season rankings, which take into account several variables and attempts to predict future performance. These rankings here are based solely on the ESPN Player Rater, which gauges how valuable a player is based only on the statistics theyve turned in so far. It takes out all biases and preconceived notions, and levels the playing field.We will look at the defenseman tiers based on the same 12-team league size we used for goaltenders.No. 1 fantasy defensemen1. Brent Burns, San Jose Sharks 2. Shea Weber, Montreal Canadiens 3. Erik Karlsson, Ottawa Senators 4. Dustin Byfuglien, Winnipeg Jets 5. Ryan Suter, Minnesota Wild 6. Kevin Shattenkirk, St. Louis Blues 7. Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning 8. Kris Letang, Pittsburgh Penguins 9. Rasmus Ristolainen, Buffalo Sabres 10. Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings 11. Cam Fowler, Anaheim Ducks 12. Zach Werenski, Columbus Blue JacketsDiscussion: There are minimal surprises to be found here for those who have been following along closely this season. ... Weber is a shock at second overall based on what we expected coming into this season, but its possible his scorching start is behind him. Weber is pointless in December and has a lone assist in his past nine games overall, which includes him getting zero points when the Habs put a 10-spot on the Colorado Avalanche. Expect him to slide back to a midrange No. 1 as the season progresses. ... Ristolainen is doing better than we could have hoped as the main man in Buffalo. The return of Jack Eichel to bolster the power play will only help his overall numbers. He could be a legitimate No. 1 all season. ... Fowler, despite rumors of his demise when Hampus Lindholm returned, has managed to hang on to the top role for the Ducks. Stick with him, as his usage has been steady, and coach Randy Carlyle wasnt around last season for Lindholms rise.No. 2 fantasy defensemen13. Mark Giordano, Calgary Flames 14. Duncan Keith, Chicago Blackhawks 15. Ryan McDonagh, New York Rangers 16. Dougie Hamilton, Calgary Flames 17. Roman Josi, Nashville Predators 18. Andrei Markov, Montreal Canadiens 19. P.K. Subban, Nashville Predators 20. Justin Schultz, Pittsburgh Penguins 21. Dion Phaneuf, Ottawa Senators 22. Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Arizona Coyotes 23. Brent Seabrook, Chicago Blackhawks 24. Torey Krug, Boston BruinsDiscussion: This is where we start to see some serious deviation from what we think we might know. ... It may be time to stop expecting monster seasons from Josi and Subban, after all. While they are both respectable No. 2 fantasy defensemen so far, they were defiantly drafted in every league as No. 1s. Perhaps the middling win-loss record for the Predators spurs coach Peter Laviolette to consider pairing Josi and Subban together? That could certainly turn around their fortunes. ... Markov and Krug are on this list despite atrocious Octobers. It says a lot about their fantasy value that theyve climbed so far back to respectability. ... Phaneuf is contributing in almost every category, getting plenty of power-play ice time with Karlsson, and is available in 40 percent of ESPN leagues. ... Schultz should have been scooped up during the past week in your league and is about to get his recent value put into overdrive with news that Kris Letang will miss a couple of weeks with injuries. A perennial fantasy sleeper that never woke up during his years with the Edmonton Oilers, Schultz seems to have found his niche with the Penguins. Now with the potential for some power-play time coming his way, he should be owned in every league.No. 3 fantasy defensemen25. Keith Yandle, Florida Panthers 26. Shayne Gostisbehere, Philadelphia Flyers 27. Sami Vatanen, Anaheim Ducks 28. Alex Pietrangelo, St. Louis Blues 29. Matt Dumba, Minnesota Wild 30. Mike Green, Detroit Red Wings 31. Trevor Daley, Pittsburgh Penguins 32. Colton Parayko, St. Louis Blues 33. Ian Cole, Pittsburgh Penguins 34. Marc-Edouard Vlasic, San Jose Sharks 35. Aaron Ekblad, Florida Panthers 36. Jeff Petry, Montreal CanadiensDiscussion: Some disappointments start to show up here in the third grouping. ... Yandle and Gostisbehere were both supposed to be a lot better than a No. 3 fantasy defenseman for their fantasy owners. The weak Panthers power play has been sapping Yandles potential, while too many cooks in the kitchen is holding back Gostisbehere from enough ice time to do proper damage. ... Dumba needs to be owned in more leagues. An offensive defenseman by trade, hes scoring a fair bit considering he barely cracks 20 minutes of ice time most nights. A few more counting stats as coach Bruce Boudreaus trust in him rises, and Dumba could be a contender for a No. 2 fantasy defenseman. Hes owned in only 26 percent of leagues. ... In this range, the difference between the players is becoming negligible. The value from Burns to Werenski (top and bottom No. 1s) is more than four times the difference of value on the player rater from Yandle to Petry (top and bottom No. 3s). ... Guys like Daley, Vlasic and Petry are useful, to be sure, but can be cast aside on a moments notice for the next hot hand.No. 4 fantasy defensemen37. John Carlson, Washington Capitals 38. Jake Gardiner, Toronto Maple Leafs 39. Andrej Sekera, Edmonton Oilers 40. Ryan Ellis, Nashville Predators 41. Jared Spurgeon, Minnesota Wild 42. Alec Martinez, Los Angeles Kings 43. Jonas Brodin, Minnesota Wild 44. Mark Streit, Philadelphia Flyers 45. Nick Holden, New York Rangers 46. David Savard, Columbus Blue Jackets 47. Deryk Engelland, Calgary Flames 48. Matt Niskanen, Washington CapitalsDiscussion: Looking at this grouping of No. 4 fantasy defenseman is a stark reminder why its wise to stock up on elite talent at the draft. Outside of Carlson, who should turn things around at some point, you cant feel great about rolling any of these guys out on a regular basis in your lineup. But numbers dont lie. Based on the statistics generated in the NHL so far this season, every member of this group should have been on the ice for fantasy owners in 12-team leagues. ... We could make an argument for Sekera and Ellis to be owned in more leagues -- especially Ellis, who has missed a handful of games and still rates this high.So, who is missing from the reality-check rankings? Who missed out on the top four defenseman tiers but we are still holding onto dearly in our leagues?The holy triumvirate of disappointment is John Klingberg, Justin Faulk and Tyson Barrie. Klingberg clocks in at 54th overall, and Faulk at 59th, making them No. 5 fantasy defensemen. Tyson Barrie settles in at 69th overall among defensemen on the player rater. Thats just ugly.Klingberg and Faulk need to stay on rosters. At some point, the Dallas Stars offense and power play will erupt, and Klingberg will be among the catalysts. As for Faulk, hes doing all the right things on the ice but just isnt getting the bounces. Theyll come.As for Barrie, the Avalanche are a hot mess. We would caution against dropping him because hes playing all the important minutes, but its certainly a defensible move at this point.There are three NHL teams with no defensemen among the top four tiers: the Vancouver Canucks, New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders. ... The Canucks dont have anyone worth even speculating on until Alexander Edler returns from a broken finger next month -- and even then, its nothing to write home about. The top Canucks defender at the moment on the player rater is Troy Stecher, at 87th among defensemen. Its cool if you just audibly said, Who? ... Devils blueliner Damon Severson, 55th on the player rater, is arguably worth owning in 12-team leagues over some of the meh No. 4 fantasy defensemen. Hes at least playing on the power play for his club, as opposed to someone like Deryk Engelland, who is arguably his teams sixth defenseman. ... Calvin de Haan is the top Islander on the Player Rater, at 62nd among defensemen. This is a product of his steady, if unspectacular, play at even strength, while the rest of the defense takes turns as the go-to guy. Johnny Boychuk, Nick Leddy and Travis Hamonic all have the potential to be solid fantasy players, if only one of them would consistently take the lead for power-play time.Fantasy Forecaster: Dec. 19-25Two days of a three-day holiday break fall during the upcoming fantasy scoring period. Nevertheless, teams will be playing a condensed schedule during the week so every NHL team plays at least two games and none play more than three.The Chicago Blackhawks, Dallas Stars, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, San Jose Sharks, Washington Capitals and Winnipeg Jets are the teams with only two games.Download the forecaster chart PDF hereFor those new to the Forecaster chart, here are some explanations: O (offense) and D (defense) matchup ratings are based upon a scale from 1 (poor matchup) to 10 (excellent matchup) and are calculated using a formula that evaluates the teams season-to-date statistics, their performance in home/road games depending on where the game is to be played, as well as their opponents numbers in those categories. The Ratings column lists the cumulative rating from 1-10 of that weeks offensive (O) and defensive (D) matchups.Team notesFlorida Panthers: With the third-best team shot attempts total (Corsi) at home this season, the Panthers get to stay in Sunrise for three games leading into the break. While they only have six power-play goals during the past three weeks (11 games), the schedule does include the woeful Sabres penalty kill. Nick Bjugstad and Seth Griffith are currently serving on the top power-play unit and could be considered for one-week use in deeper leagues. Shallower pools can note that Reilly Smith has six points in his past eight games playing on a line with Vincent Trocheck and Colton Sceviour.Arizona Coyotes: Home for three games against penetrable defenses, the Coyotes could be in for their best week of the season as they ride a two-game win streak into the weekend. Coach Dave Tippett is trying all kinds of funky new line combinations of late, which could give fantasy owners a wedge to find some short-term value. Brendan Perlini is currently doing his best Max Domi impression, playing on a line with Martin Hanzal and Radim Vrbata. Hes not getting the power-play time typically required for fantasy awesomeness, but watch his box score on Saturday in hopes that he primes himself for next week. Shallower leagues can check out Vrbatas uptick in shots on goal since Domi was injured. He has 21 shots and three assists in five games since Domi was hurt and is getting top power-play time.Carolina Hurricanes: The Hurricanes appear to match up quite well with their three opponents next week, scoring the highest offensive forecaster rating aside from the Columbus Blue Jackets. Derek Ryans hot streak makes him a no-brainer to stream into your lineup. Lining up with Jeff Skinner and Victor Rask on and off the power play, the 29-year-old rookie has 10 points in his past nine games -- five of which came on the power play. Speaking of the Canes power play, Jaccob Slavin is sharing the point with Faulk on the man advantage, which is notable for deep leagues looking for a blueliner.Columbus Blue Jackets: Scoring a perfect 10 on the forecaster for offense, the Blue Jackets -- and their dominant power play -- get to stay home for three games. The Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins and Montreal Canadiens are far from a cake-walk schedule, but this Jackets power play is borderline ridiculous at home, with 13 power-play goals in 14 games. A continued theme in recent advice here: Go get Sam Gagner. Hes still available in more than 50 percent of ESPN leagues and boasts nine power-play points already. Thats how many Sidney Crosby and Patrick Kane have, for the record.Goalie notesMike Smith should be a plug-and-play option in all leagues next week. Four of his past six games have been fantasy gems, and the Coyotes are one of two NHL teams next week playing three games with no back-to-back sets involved.Scott Darling has at least one more week to show his stuff as Corey Crawford remains out following an appendectomy. Hes 4-2-1, with a 1.72 goals-against average since Crawford was hurt, and is available in more than half of ESPN leagues.Mr. Hot and Cold, Pekka Rinne, might be best served on your bench for the time being. His goals-against averages by calendar month this season are: 3.22 in October, 1.49 in November and 4.01 in December so far. Yikes.Player notesAlready a hot commodity with his recent point totals, things can only look up for Schultz with Letang on the mend for a couple of weeks. Get him -- and get him in your lineup.Decent even-strength play with Bobby Ryan, propped up by power-play time with Mark Stone and Mike Hoffman, is the formula for Kyle Turris increasing fantasy value. If he was dropped in your league, have another look at him. He has eight points in 10 games.Connor Shearys availability in 65 percent of ESPN leagues is downright criminal. Skating with Sidney Crosby at even strength and now getting minutes on the second power-play unit, Sheary has nine points in his past eight games, with 30 shots in that span.He came for the faceoffs, hes staying for some power-play action on the Oilers top unit with Connor McDavid. Mark Letestu has three points in his past two games and has been a mainstay on the power play for the past eight games, in which he has seven points. Cheap UA Shoes . The third-ranked Ivanovic, who won the event in 2008 and 10, served five aces and broke Wickmayer, also a former winner in 2009, five times. "The result looked easier than it really was," Ivanovic said. Cheap Adidas Shoes . Rousey will put her perfect 8-0 record and hardware on the line against another undefeated fighter, 7-0 Sara McMann in the main event of UFC 170, which will be held at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas Nevada on February 22nd. http://www.cheapshoesfree.com/ . They reached the 100-point plateau for the fourth time in five games, bested the visiting Trail Blazers by 34 in the paint and scored 19 of the final 25 points in regulation. SAN DIEGO -- The Latest on the All-Star Game (all times local):---8:27 p.m.Kansas Citys Eric Hosmer homered and drove in two runs, Royals teammate Salvador Perez also hit a two-run homer, and the American League won its fourth consecutive All-Star Game, beating the NL 4-2 Tuesday night.Hosmer and Perez provided enough offense in the early innings for the AL to win the midsummer classic for the 15th time in the last 19 years. The AL will get home-field advantage again in the World Series.Hosmer and Perez both connected in a six-pitch span of the second inning against San Franciscos Johnny Cueto, their Royals teammate on last seasons World Series-winning team.David Ortiz had a walk and a line-drive out in whats expected to be the final All-Star Game for the Boston slugger, who plans to retire this fall. The AL roster came onto the field when Ortiz left the game for a pinch-runner, embracing and congratulating him.After AL starter Chris Sale gave up a homer to Chicago crosstown rival Kris Bryant, the ALs pitching staff largely shut down the NL. Astros reliever Will Harris struck out St. Louis Aledmys Diaz with two runners on to end the eighth, and Baltimores Zach Britton closed it out in his native Southern California.---7:52 p.m.The National League has only two innings left to prevent the American League from winning its fourth straight All-Star Game and its 15th in 19 years.Pittsburghs Matt Melancon got Clevelands Francisco Lindor on a bases-loaded groundout to end the seventh, keeping the ALs lead at 4-2.But since Kris Bryants first-inning homer, the NL has managed just one extra-base hit and stranded seven runners in seven innings.---7:48 p.m.Players and fans at the All-Star Game took a moment to Stand Up 2 Cancer.At the end of the fifth inning, the All-Star teams stood in front of their dugouts. Fans also stood, holding up signs with the names of loved ones either fighting cancer or lost to the disease.New York Mets manager Terry Collins, who is leading the NL team, had a sign honoring general manager Sandy Alderson, who has an unspecified form of the disease.Rachel Platten, who sang the national anthem, sang her hit, Fight Song.---7:08 p.m.San Franciscos Johnny Cueto had a rough All-Star start largely thanks to some old friends.Kansas Citys Eric Hosmer and Salvador Perez homered off their former teammate in the second inning to put the American League ahead early in the 87th All-Star Game. Cueto yielded five hits and three runs while getting only five outs.Im not trying to make excuses, but sometimes you get up and you dont feel well, Cueto said. This morning I got up and didnt feel well. That is not an excuse. I wanted to go out there and pitch and do the best I could.Cueto was a teammate of Hosmer and Perez during the Royals run to the World Series title last year.I would have loved to be able to get them out, but I just left two pitches up and that was the story, Cueto said.---6:45 p.m.The American League leads the National League 4-2 after four innings in the 87th All-Star Game.Eric Hosmer of the Royals homered in the second inning and added an RBI single in the fourth. His Kansas City teammate, Salvador Perez, also delivered a two-run homer in the second.Miamis Marcell Ozuna got one back for the NL in the fourth with an RBI single, scoring Buster Posey.The game was slightly delayed before the bottom of the fourth inning while workers removed what appeared to be a dead bird from the infield.The gray bird appeared between first and second base. The Petco Park grounds crew swiftly got the bird into a bucket and off the field.---6:30 p.m.If Big Papi was hoping for a big moment in his final All-Star Game, he didnt get it.David Ortiz, the Boston Red Sox star who has announced hell retire at seasons end, walked against Miamis Jose Fernandez in the third inning and was lifted for pinch-runner Edwin Encarnacion.Fernandez had said on Monday that hed groove a pitch for Ortiz. While he threw a few fastballs in the 90s, the slugger didnt connect.After drawing ball four, Ortiz playfully had words with Fernandez.A few moments after Ortiz reached first, AL manager Ned Yost sent in Encarnacion. Ortiz left to warm applause as he hugged his teammates.---6:22 p.m.Even skateboarders can dig the long ball.Element, located up the freeway from the All-Star Game in Costa Mesa, announced a licensing partnership with Major League Baseball to create a series of skateboards with the colors and logos of all 30 teams.The announcement was in conjunction with Tuesday nights All-Star Game at Petco Park.Element even had a booth at FanFest displaying the MLB offerings.While decks representing all 30 teams will be available, Element will offer $100 complete skateboards of the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Angels.---6:04 p.m.A Canadian singing quartet delivered a political message during its pregame performance of O Canada at the 87th All-Star Game.The Tenors, a group based in British Columbia, changed a lyric in their national anthem during their on-field performance at Petco Park while one member of the group held up a sign reading All Lives Matter.In the middle portion of the anthem, which is often sung in French, the Tenors changed one line to: Were all brothers and sisters. All lives matter to the great.Although the audio wasnt crystal-clear at the park, many fans reacted with surprise. The Canadian anthem wasnt shown live on U.S. television, but it aired in Canada, where the Tenors decisions lit up social media with overwhelming criticism of the change.The Tenors are Clifton Murray, Fraser Walters, Remigio Pereira and Victor Micallef. The Juno Award-winning group has recorded multiple platinum albums in Canada.---5:53 p.m.Mike Trout keeps on knocking down milestones at All-Star games.The Los Angeles Angels star singled in the first inning, improving to 6 for 11 with two walks in his 13 All-Star plate appearances.Trout, the 2014 AL MVP, also won the MVP award at the last two All-Star games.The single gave him a five-game hitting streak in All-Star play. Mickey Mantle, Joe Morgan and Dave Winfield had seven-game streaks, and Stan Musial, Willie Mays and Nellie Fox hit in six apiece.According to the Angels, Trout is the first AL player to get a hit in each of his first five All-Star games, joining NL stars Joe Morgan, Willie Mays, Steve Garvey, Carlos Beltran and David Wright.Trout also became the sixth player in All-Star history with four first-inning hits, joining Mays, Wade Boggs, Derek Jeter, Musial and Ichiro Suzuki.---5:37 p.m.Big Papi participated in the All-Star Game even before settling into the batters box as the American Leagues DH.David Ortiz, the Boston star who is retiring at seasons end, brought the lineup card out to the home plate meeting with the umpires and NL manager Terry Collins of the New York Mets.Ortiz, playing in his 10th All-Star Game, is batting fourth for the AL, which is the designated home team.In his first at-bat in the first inning, Ortiz fouled off several pitches before lining out sharply to the Cubs Anthony Rizzo at first base.---5:35 p.m.They couldnt play an All-Star Game in San Diego without a nice tribute to Tony Gwynn.Gwynn, the sweet-swinging outfielder known as Mr. Padre, died of salivary gland cancer on June 16, 2014, at age 54.After a video tribute showing some of Gwynns many highlights, his widow, Alicia, and their two adult children, Anisha and Tony Jr. and their spouses, came out to join Hall of Famer Rod Carew and his family as the crowd chanted Tony! Tony! Tony!MLB announced that the players who post the highest batting averages in each league will now be known as the Tony Gwynn National League Batting Champion and the Rod Carew American League Batting Champion.Gwynn played his entire 20-season career with the Padres, who unveiled a larger-than-life bronze statue of Gwynn days before he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007.The statue shows Gwynn in the middle of his left-handed swing. It is located in the Park at the Park beyond the outfield at Petco Park.---5:32 p.m.The pregame ceremonies for the All-Star game had a decided Padres flavor.Randy Jones, the 1976 Cy Young Award winner, threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Then Trevor Hoffman, an All-Star closer with San Diego who nearly was elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, emerged from the bullpen accompanied by AC/DCs Hells Bells.Hoffman, wearing a 1998 Padres jersey and slacks, brought the game ball to the mound. He stopped a few times to gesture to the fans.---5:21 p.m.The 87th All-Star Game is unnderway, and it has a distinct Chicago flavor.ddddddddddddThe Chicago Cubs Ben Zobrist flied out to center on the second pitch of the game from the Chicago White Soxs Chris Sale.Two batters later, Cubs slugger Kris Bryant crushed a solo homer to left, putting the NL ahead 1-0.Bryant is 0 for 6 with six strikeouts against Sale in the regular season.---4:57 p.m.Pregame introductions are underway at Petco Park for the 87th All-Star Game.The NL team is introduced first in its visitors gray uniforms. The host league is the visiting team for the first time in the games history because the game, which determines home-field advantage in the World Series, is being played in an NL park for the second of four consecutive years.San Diegos fans loudly booed the All-Stars from Los Angeles and San Francisco, their Padres biggest rivals. Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw grinned broadly and acknowledged the jeers with a big wave.---3:56 p.m.David Ortiz was quick with an answer when asked what he hoped to get out of his 10th All-Star Game: Home field advantage.The winning league gets home-field advantage in the World Series, and Big Papi would love to wrap up his career at home in late October.Kris Bryant also knows how much that would mean if the Chicago Cubs were to make it to the World Series.I know Im going to go out there and try my best to impact the game, Bryant said. Youre seeing more and more of what this game really means in the playoffs and home-field advantage. Playing in the wild-card game last year, we wished it was at Wrigley Field because the atmosphere was just intense as the visiting team.---3:40 p.m.Big Papi has an appropriate throne for his All-Star finale.David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox got the prime locker in the San Diego Padres clubhouse for the midseason classic. The slugger is set up in Matt Kemps locker, which comes with a big recliner.Ortiz was mobbed by media and fans on the Petco Park field when he stepped out for batting practice. This is Ortizs 10th All-Star Game, and hes feeling the vibe of what the game has brought to downtown San Diego.It never gets old, he said. Its always interesting. You always want to be part of it. The All-Star Game is the All-Star Game.---3:22 p.m.The Chicago Cubs arent here to take part. Theyre here to take over -- one side of the visiting clubhouse at Petco Park.The Cubs seven All-Stars occupied all but one locker on one clubhouse wall. In order from the door, the Cubs had Addison Russell, Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Jake Arrieta, Jon Lester, Ben Zobrist and Dexter Fowler.Julio Teheran of the Atlanta Braves was crammed into the far corner, the only other player with a locker on that row.Its our whole row here, Bryant said. To see our jerseys hanging here like this, its special. It says a lot about our fans. Weve seen so much more excitement around our team early on this year. Thats huge for us to go out there under those situations.---3:12 p.m.A bat used by Jackie Robinson in 1953 and a jersey worn by Sandy Koufax in 1966 were among the top six items sold during an auction at the All-Star FanFest.Robinsons bat sold for $103,500. The Koufax jersey went for $184,000.The other top items were: a 1912 Smoky Joe Wood Boston Red Sox world championship medallion, sold for $86,250; a ball signed in 1919 by Babe Ruth, sold for $63,250; and two Tony Gwynn national championship rings sold together for $112,125.---2:58 p.m.Jake Arrieta is more than willing to pitch for the NL in the All-Star Game if needed.He would also welcome another day off as he attempts to recover his form for the second half of the season.The Chicago Cubs right-hander left the decision up to manager Terry Collins as he prepared for his first All-Star experience at Petco Park.I told Terry that if Im needed, Im in, Arrieta said in the NL clubhouse before the game. But if theres other guys that really want to be in the game, I wouldnt mind a day off.Arrieta struggled -- by his standards, anyway -- in his final five starts before the break, getting through no more than six innings in any of them. San Franciscos Johnny Cueto was chosen for the All-Star start over last seasons Cy Young winner, and Arrieta said he understood the call.Arrieta says it isnt going to hurt anything to pitch an inning of relief, but hes not desperate to get into his first All-Star game.---2:52 p.m.Baseball fans are packing the streets of San Diegos Gaslamp Quarter in anticipation of the citys first All-Star Game since 1992. Jerseys representing teams from across the country are everywhere, as are T-shirts with the All-Stars names and numbers in traditional Padres brown and gold.Thousands of fans already entered Petco Park to watch batting practice before the players went to center field to pose for photos.San Diego is hosting the midsummer classic for the third time, and the first in the Padres sparkling downtown stadium.---11:10 a.m.Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred says a lawsuit filed by minor league players claiming they dont earn the minimum wage is not a dollars-and-cents issue.Some minor leaguers earn as little as $1,100 a month, The suit, filed in federal court in San Francisco in 2014, could go to trial next year.Manfred says the suit is about the irrationality of the application of traditional workplace overtime rules to minor league baseball players. It just makes no sense. I want to take extra BP. Am I working, or am I not working?He adds: This is an area where excessive regulation could have a really dramatic impact on the size of minor league baseball.---10:55 a.m.Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred admits the sport slipped right at the beginning this year when it comes to pace of play.The average time of a nine-inning game was 3 hours, 13 seconds prior to the All-Star Game, according to the commissioners office. That is up from 2:53:04 at last years break but down from 3:02:41 during the first half in 2014.Manfred says pace of play for me is like dandelions in your front lawn. I just cant get rid of it.---10:50 a.m.Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred has made it clear that the Athletics search for a new ballpark will be confined to Oakland.Manfred says, I am committed to Oakland as major league site. I think that if we were to leave Oakland, I think 10 years from now we would be more likely than not looking backwards saying we made a mistake.He adds: Oakland is more likely than not to be a better market five years from now than it is today.---10:34 a.m.Major League Baseball is keeping expansion on the backburner until Oakland and Tampa Bay get new ballparks.Both teams have long sought new stadiums, but no proposals in their current territories have gained traction.Commissioner Rob Manfred says the Tampa and Oakland situations need to be resolved. Both of those clubs need new major league quality facilities.---10:26 a.m.Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred says the absence of a Latino manager is glaring.Atlanta fired Fredi Gonzalez in May and replaced him on an interim basis with Brian Snitker.Speaking to the Baseball Writers Association of America, Manfred says there are 30 jobs and there are 30 high turnovers jobs when youre talking about field managers, and youre going to have an ebb and flow in terms of diversity.---9:35 a.m.David Ortizs jersey is the most popular this season, judging by sales on MLBShop.com between Jan. 1 and the All-Star Game.Ortiz, 40, plans to retire at the end of the season and is a 10-time All-Star. He also topped the sales list during the 2013-14 offseason, after winning his third World Series title with the Boston Red Sox.Kris Bryant of the Chicago Cubs is second, followed by Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Cubs Anthony Rizzo, the Los Angeles Angels Mike Trout, San Franciscos Buster Posey, the Cubs Jake Arrieta, St. Louis Yadier Molina, Washingtons Bryce Harper and the New York Mets Noah Syndergaard.---9:27 a.m.The concessionaire at Petco Park expects to sell 24,000 hot dogs, 16,000 orders of chicken fingers, 18,000 pounds of French fries, 98,000 peanuts and 45,000 bottles of water at the Home Run Derby and the All-Star Game.Delaware North executive chef at Petco Carlos Vargas created two new items for the game: a Hashtag Dog featuring a hot dog, tempura butter, club soda and shredded potato, and ASG Michelada drink with Estrella beer, poached shrimp, lime, habanero pepper, Clamato juice, lime juice and tajin spice.Given the fresh fish in the area, items also include mahi mahi tacos and Ahi tuna poke stuffed avocado. 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