Speaking through a translator during the National League All-Stars' interview session on Monday, Melky Cabrera made one of his strongest statements yet about wanting to stay in San Francisco.

When thinking back to the guy who took the mound last July in Arizona, Ryan Cook doesn't recognize himself.

The Indians have sent shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera and Chris Perez to the All-Star Game for the second consecutive season. It is a sign that both players are developing into cornerstones and that Cleveland is taking steps in the right direction.

Commissioner Bud Selig joined several All-Stars in Kansas City to work on houses for residents of disaster-stricken Joplin, Mo., and Tuscaloosa, Ala., through the league's partnership with Habitat for Humanity.

“It means a lot,” Josh Hamilton said of the record 11.1 million votes he received for the 2012 American League All-Star team. “It's very humbling, but at the same time it makes you proud that the fans want to see you play.”

There they were again, sitting at tables right next to each other, representing the Dodgers at All-Star Media Day for the second season in a row. This might just become a habit for Matt Kemp and Clayton Kershaw, who are in the primes of their career for one of the most tradition-laden franchises in the game.

Mike Trout and Bryce Harper, two of the record-setting five rookies in the 83rd All-Star Game, looked back on a memorable moment from an Arizona Fall League game.

D-backs starter Wade Miley was already reminiscing about the bus ride that took his team of National League All-Stars from the hotel to Monday's media session at Arrowhead Stadium less than an hour after the brief trip ended.

Statistically, R.A. Dickey was the National League's best pitcher over the first half of the season. But he is not starting the All-Star Game. Statistically, David Wright was the NL's best third baseman. But he is not starting the All-Star Game, either. So few would blame the Mets for feeling raw about their lack of presence in the starting lineup.

Before accepting the 2012 Jackie Robinson Legacy Award for Lifetime Achievement at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum on Monday, Lou Brock revealed that a pair of legendary sports figures — Cool Papa Bell and Jesse Owens — helped shape his Hall of Fame career.

Several Cardinal players have descended on Kansas City with the honor of not only being an All-Star, but also with the chance to represent their organization under manager Tony La Russa one more time.

Perhaps Billy Butler was just overlooked for all these years. But no longer. Now, he's an All-Star. On Monday, he discussed why he might have gone relatively unnoticed before, at least on a national scale.

Twins catcher Joe Mauer played in just 82 games in 2011 and saw his numbers take a significant dip, but '12 has been much better. His hard work to come back from injury has been rewarded with placement on his fifth American League All-Star team.

Out of the three Tigers All-Stars at this year's media day festivities, Miguel Cabrera was by far the least visible. But though he's a spectator for the Home Run Derby and a reserve for the Midsummer Classic, the experience is still special to him.

Yes, this All-Star Game means more to the Brewers' Ryan Braun, who spent his winter wondering if he'd be forced to sit out the season's first 50 games.

David Ortiz arrived at All-Star Media Day fashionably late, but with his usual presence. The bling ranged from a weighty watch to two rings to an earring to a necklace to a bracelet.

This year's quartet of Yankees All-Stars were blinking through bleary eyes after an early-morning arrival, but all four Bombers are counting on the festivities to make a trip to the heartland well worth their while.