Although Alfonso Soriano has seven All-Star games under his belt, making the 2012 squad would have been a feather in his Chicago Cubs cap.

The Cubs will be represented on the National League team by shortstop Starlin Castro and first-time All-Star Bryan LaHair, however Soriano is the player who has carried the RBI and home run load for the club this season.

“I thought he would make it,” Castro said after the Cubs’ 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday. “He played very good for us. I thought three would make the team but he didn’t make it.”

The 36-year-old veteran outfielder has been singled out by manager Dale Sveum as an emotional leader on his ballclub.

“The outfielders that are going obviously deserve it,” Sveum said. “What Soriano has done for us going out there every day on those [sore] legs and leading the major leagues in home runs since May 15th is a tribute to a wonderful guy. You just wish that someone would appreciate him once and awhile.”

Soriano will go back home to the Dominican Republic and rest for four days during the All-Star break. You could tell, however, that he was disappointed not making the team.

“I am for happy for Castro and LaHair making the All-Star team. They worked very hard for it,” Soriano said. “There are a lot of good left fielders in the National League and those left fielders all had good numbers.”

Soriano, who got the day off on Sunday, had eight home runs in June and seven in May after going six weeks without a home run to begin the season.