by BY DERRICK GOOLD dgoold@post-dispatch.com > 314-340-8285 , St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Three years after Manuel rerouted a reluctant, even resentful, Franklin into the bullpen, the Phillies manager selected the Cardinals closer for the National League team in the All-Star Game on July 14 at Busch Stadium. Franklin, 36, is one of 23 first-time All-Stars, and he merits the invitation in his first season, at any level, as a closer.

"I have never been one of those guys who had my path made out for me anyway," Franklin said after the Cardinals' victory in Cincinnati on Sunday. "I always had to create the path here and there. If it's off the road a little bit, then it just is. It takes me a little longer to get places. It takes me a little longer to get into points of my career than others."

While youth will be served, apparently in bunches, at the 80th Midsummer Classic, Franklin has a few peers in the Bucket List brigade, the first-time All-Stars in the autumns of their careers. There are 12 first-time All-Stars on the two leagues' pitching staffs, and eight of them are 25 or younger.

Inflating the two staffs' average age are Franklin, at 36, and Boston knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, a first-time All-Star at 42 and in his 17th season in the majors. Wakefield is the fourth All-Star in history to make his first appearance after the age of 40. He, Franklin and outfielder Raul Ibanez, 37, are the only first-timers to have been born before Jimmy Carter's inauguration.

The youngest All-Star, Arizona outfielder Justin Upton, is 22 and was born less than a year after Wakefield was drafted.

Both Franklin and Wakefield (10-3, 4.30 ERA) were manager selections, chosen by Manuel and AL manager Joe Maddon, respectively. Wakefield told reporters that with 10 wins he began wondering if this was his best chance to be an All-Star. Franklin admitted to wondering about it for several weeks, especially as he inched toward 20 saves and thought about sharing the experience with his son.

Franklin didn't rest well the night before the announcements.

"A lot of tossing and turning," he said. "A few good dreams, a few bad dreams. It's a cool feeling. I just can't wait to experience it. It really hasn't sunk in yet."

For Franklin, the All-Star Game is an unexpected destination on an often-rerouted career. During a three-year span with Seattle, from 2003 to 2005, he averaged at least 200 innings and more than 30 starts each season. Near the end of his final season with the Mariners, Franklin was suspended 10 games for a positive performance-enhancing-drug test, a mark on his career he acknowledges but prefers not to revisit. He arrived in Philadelphia as a free agent before the 2006 season, and Manuel shipped him to the bullpen.

Franklin wasn't thrilled with the assignment but remained in it for 46 appearances for the Phillies and, after a trade, 20 more for the Cincinnati Reds. He signed that next offseason with the Cardinals , finding a rotation that might have room for his return to starting.

That was the first of many roles he has had as a Cardinal.

The veteran righthander went to spring training 2007 with a chance to compete for a starting job, quickly found himself recast as a reliever and emerged as Jason Isringhausen's setup man. He served in that setup role for two seasons, including the 2007 season when a 1.23 ERA and 13 holds in the first half kindled All-Star aspirations. In 2008, he was thrust, uncomfortably, into the closer role during Isringhausen's absence. This season, he was prepared for the job, even as the Cardinals test-drove two rookies in spring training.

Franklin has stabilized one of last year's wobbliest legs for the Cardinals by converting 20 of his 21 save opportunities. His 0.84 ERA is the lowest of any reliever in Baseball with at least a save. Franklin went 13 appearances before he allowed a run and is 11 for 11 since his lone blown save.

His revival as a reliever is why he always extends an appreciative hand to Manuel when they cross paths, and his selection as an All-Star is why his teammates gave him an ovation Sunday. Said manager Tony La Russa of Franklin and fellow All-Star Yadier Molina's reactions: "You can see it in their faces. They both wanted it so badly."

This season, Franklin has kept every final Baseball from each of his 20 saves. He plans to give them to his son, souvenirs turned heirlooms from the latest path his career has taken. One will carry the All-Star stamp.

"I'm sure I'll be able to find at least one," Franklin said.

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