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 SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Dan Haren has always lacked the luster of his big-name teammates, quietly putting up big numbers and impressing opposing hitters. With Barry Zito out of Oakland and the spotlight mostly his own this year, Haren has shown he has the stuff and the composure to be a No. 1 pitcher on any staff, including a star-studded one at the All-Star game. Haren was picked Monday to start for the American League just across the bay from his home ballpark in Oakland.
"I had been always kind of under the radar," Haren said Monday. "Now that I'm in the limelight so to speak, at least for the next couple of days, I'm just going to try to have as much fun as I can rather than putting so much pressure on myself and have this be a rough couple of days."
Haren will be on center stage Tuesday night, facing a power-packed National League lineup featuring Barry Bonds, Ken Griffey Jr. and Prince Fielder. Opposing him on the mound will be San Diego's Jake Peavy, another young pitcher just starting to come into his own.
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