Tough calls for Tito

All-Star selections could make things difficult

Terry Francona is more than accustomed to handling difficult decisions from his perch on the home plate end of Fenway’s first base dugout.

But when it comes to this year’s American League All-Star squad, Francona’s challenge won’t be choosing the squad, but rather delivering the good or bad news.

“It’s not that interesting,” said Francona, who will guide the American League squad through the July 15 game at Yankee Stadium. “We’re just the ones who deliver the news. It’s really not like it used to be. I’m not agreeing or disagreeing, that’s just the way it is. Every team is represented so somebody is going to get the short end of the stick.”

When it comes to his own team, there are plenty of question marks. Catcher Jason Varitek is one of those who could wind up starting or be left off altogether — the Sox backstop was overtaken by Minnesota catcher Joe Mauer yesterday in fan balloting. Another player who might not want to make firm plans for the middle of July is Kevin Youkilis, who is barely leading in a hot battle with Twins first baseman Justin Morneau. In addition. New York’s Alex Rodriguez is leading Mike Lowell by a million votes at third base.

“There are players that ultimately won’t make it because of the rules in place,” Francona said of MLB’s focus on the All-Star Game since the tie of 2002. “I think as a staff we’d like to recognize [a player] even if it’s a phone call, and if we’re prepared to do that, maybe we don’t miss out on that.”

Francona has always been known as an extraordinary communicator.

“That’s really what we’re doing here,” added the skipper. “I don’t think it’s so much choosing the team as it is being prepared for mishaps, things like guys getting hurt. That’s basically what we’re doing.”