Seven, count 'em, seven

The Cubs placed a club-record seven players on the National League all-star team, including starters Geovany Soto at catcher and Alfonso Soriano and Kosuke Fukudome in the outfield. Added as reserves are third baseman Aramis Ramirez and pitchers Kerry Wood, Ryan Dempster and Carlos Zambrano.

In contrast with many modern-day athletes, all the Cubs seemed genuinely excited about going.

"Awesome," Dempster said.

The previous record of six Cubs in the All-Star Game was set twice, in 1988 and 1936.

Soto is the first rookie in NL history to be elected to start and the first Cubs catcher to start since Gabby Hartnett in 1937.

Soriano isn't likely to play, but he said he'll go to Yankee Stadium for the July 15 Midsummer Classic. He described his healing left hand as "weak" after taking BP yesterday. Fukudome, the Cubs' right fielder, may have to play center field. That would have been the case anyway if Soriano had been able to play. NL manager Clint Hurdle would have put Fukudome in center between Soriano and Milwaukee's Ryan Braun. With Soriano apparently out, Hurdle will have to find another outfielder from reserves to start. That could be Colorado's Matt Holliday.