BASEBALL’S 78TH All-Star Game was played this week, and for the 11th straight year, the National League didn’t win. The game had as much drama as a soap opera, as the American League escaped a bases-loaded jam with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning to win both the game and home-field advantage in the World Series.

While the game was great and there wasn’t any shortage of star power in San Francisco, I put together a team comprised of the top first-half players who didn’t get to play in the All-Star game.

Catcher: Joe Mauer

Mauer did the unthinkable last season, when he won the AL batting title (.347) as a catcher. Despite having spent time on the disabled list in the first half, he has been equally impressive in his third season as Minnesota’s starting catcher. Mauer was hitting .309 at the break.

First base: Gary Sheffield

Sheffield’s being left off the AL roster is criminal. He has been Detroit’s best player not named Magglio Ordonez, and his offensive numbers are among the most formidable in baseball. He’s hitting .303 with 21 home runs and 58 RBIs. That’s a good season for most people, and Shef’s halfway done.

Second base: Brandon Phillips

Phillips was a decent prospect for a handful of seasons before breaking out in Cincinnati last season, when he drove in 75 runs and stole 25 bases. This year, he has already equaled his home-run total of a year ago (17). Phillips drove in 47 runs in the season’s first half and swiped 16 bases, while batting a respectable .286.

Third base: Chipper Jones

This oldie but goodie has been terrific. Jones ended the first half with a .329 average. Despite missing time with injury, he has also managed to club 15 homers and plate 41 runs.

Shortstop: Hanley Ramirez

If Sheffield’s being left off the AL team is criminal, then Ramirez’s being snubbed from the NL squad is tragic. The embodiment of versatility, Ramirez does everything. He has smacked 14 home runs, driven in 35 and swiped 27 bases. Oh, did I mention he’s hitting .331 at the break? The NL Rookie of the Year in 2006 is a poor man’s Jose Reyes, the best player in baseball.

Outfield: Eric Byrnes

Byrnes, the Arizona Diamondbacks’ MVP, hit .306 with 14 homers and 49 RBIs. He also stole 17 first-half bases, just eight fewer than he swiped in all of 2006. Byrnes is on pace to accumulate more than 200 hits for the first time in his career.

Starting pitcher: John Maine

Maine has been the main event at Shea Stadium this season, working deep into ball games just about every time out, as the most reliable arm in the Mets’ rotation. His 10-4 first-half record record was impressive, but nothing compared with his brilliant 2.71 ERA.

Reliever: Jason Isringhausen

After an inconsistent 2006 season, Isringhausen is back. He converted 17 save opportunities in the first half, while pitching to a 1.53 ERA. In 35 first-half innings, he whiffed 29 batters and yielded just 13 walks. Opponents are hitting under .160 off the former All-Star.