Major League Baseball’s annual All-Star game will be played tonight at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.

I thought it might be fun today to take a look at my own personal Boston Red Sox All-Star team through the ages – the ages in my lifetime, that is – and make out the starting lineup. (Yes, I’m aging myself somewhat here.)

The first base position is a good place to start this discussion.

Personally, I was a huge fan of Pete Runnels. The Lufkin, Texas, native was a solid hitter who batted over .300 six times. In five seasons with the Red Sox, Pete never hit less than .314. He won two batting crowns, one in 1960, batting .320, and then another one in 1962 when he batted .326.

At second base, I’d have to give the nod to Bobby Doerr.

Doerr played his first major league game in 1937. The following year, he became a regular in a powerful Red Sox lineup, which included Jimmie Foxx. In 1939, Ted Williams – more on the Splendid Splinter later – was a rookie.

Bobby batted over .300 three times and had six 100-RBI campaigns. Doerr’s only position was second base, and he retired in 1951 with a .288 lifetime batting average. He played in nine All-Star games.

At shortstop, we give the nod to Americo Peter “Rico” Petrocelli.

Rico played his entire career with the Red Sox.

In 1967, Petrocelli was selected to the All-Star game. That year, the “Impossible Dream” year, Rico belted two homers in Game 6 of the World Series.

At third base resides Frank Malzone, who played in Boston from 1955-65.

Frank played 11 seasons for the Red Sox, batting .276, with 131 homers and 716 RBIs. In 1957, Frank’s first full year in Boston, he had 103 RBIs, which tied an American League record. He also became the first position player at third base to lead the league in games played, putouts, assists, double plays, and fielding percentage. He was an All-Star six times and won three Gold Glove awards.

In left field, one man dominated the position, and despite stellar careers by guys like Jim Rice and Carl Yastrzemski, Ted Williams gets the nod.

Ted was the last major leaguer to hit .400, hitting .406 in 1941.

I met Mr. Williams in 1959, and I still have the baseball he signed for me at the old Sears and Roebuck building in downtown Bangor.

Ted appeared in 18 Midsummer Classics.

In center field is Fred Lynn, who played for the Red Sox from 1974 to 1980.

Lynn won MVP and Rookie of the Year honors in 1975, the first player in baseball history to do so.

In right field is Jackie Jensen, who played for the Red Sox from 1954-59 and came out of retirement for a final season in 1961.

The three-time All-Star was a former All-American halfback at the University of California. He is one of only two players to participate in both the Rose Bowl and the World Series.

At pitcher, we give the ball to Roger Clemens.

Born in 1962 in Dayton, Ohio, “The Rocket” is still going strong with the Houston Astros at age 44.

A member of the Boston Red Sox from 1984-1996, Clemens could never bring a title to Boston, despite a near miss in 1986.

At catcher is Carlton “Pudge” Fisk.

Fisk caught 2,226 games, more than any other catcher in history.

Fisk, of course, will always be remembered for his winning home run in Game 6 of the 1975 World Series. He hit 376 total home runs, and like most members of this all-star team, he is a member of the baseball Hall of Fame.

We’ve put together a pretty solid lineup. In their heyday, they’d give this year’s All-Stars a serious run for their money.

BDN columnist Ron Brown, a retired high school basketball coach, can be reached at bdnsports@bangordailynews.net