The Monday before the All-Star Game is known amongst ballwriters as the busiest day of the year.

So it should be no surprise that we've churned out a healthy barrage of pregame All-Star stories from here in St. Louis (where some of us got to see Chuck Berry play 'Johnny B. Good' last night).

Without further adieu, here's the scoop:



Roy Halladay warms to the idea of being traded and the Phils All-Star bats are more than willing to welcome the Toronto ace with open arms.








For Jayson Werth, it's been a long, strange trip to the All-Star Game, and he's proved perseverance pays off.










Shane Victorino gets the nod to start, another sign of Charlie Manuel taking care of his own.












In the notes, Ryan Howard and Albert Pujols in the Home Run Derby, Pedro comes to town and much more.