Posted on 06/30/2011 1:06:08 PM PDT by Charles Henrickson
Tonight at midnight is the deadline for voting for baseball All-Stars. (Pitchers and reserves named later.) Each roster gets 34 players, and every team must be represented. What are your picks? Here are mine, with starter mentioned first, then the reserves (HM = Honorable Mention). I look at this year's performance, of course, but also factor in last year and career:
NATIONAL LEAGUE
C: McCann, Molina
1B: Fielder, Votto, Morse
2B: Weeks, Phillips
SS: Reyes, Tulowitzki, Castro
3B: Ramirez, Jones
OF: Braun, Holliday
OF: Kemp, Victorino, McCutcheon
OF: Berkman, Upton, Pence
SP: Halladay, Hamels, Lee, Jurrjens, Hanson, Lohse, Kershaw, Kennedy, Sanchez, Lincecum
RP: Hanrahan, Wilson, Bell, Venters
(HM: Montero, Polanco, Ethier, Bruce, Clippard)
AMERICAN LEAGUE
C: Avila, Martinez
1B: Gonzalez, Cabrera, Konerko
2B: Cano, Kendrick
SS: Cabrera, Peralta
3B: Rodriguez, Youkilis
OF: Granderson, Quentin, Gordon
OF: Ellsbury, Hamilton, Jones
OF: Bautista, Joyce
DH: Ortiz, Young
SP: Verlander, Weaver, Beckett, Shields, Haren, Ogando, Wilson, Gonzalez, Baker, Sabathia, Lester
RP: Rivera, Valverde
(HM: Teixeira, Lind, Hernandez, Romero, Robertson)
C: Since the game is in Arizona, I was tempted to put Montero on there. But that would knock off someone from the roster more deserving.
1B: Morse is having a heckuva year, and playing more 1B than OF. Howard has the RBIs, but his average and OPS are down. Pujols is injured.
3B: Weakest position in the league. For a long time, I was going with Polanco and Jones, but Ramirez has really come on lately, and has had many good years before.
A few comments on the AL:
C: Martinez has been more DH than C, but there is a lack of deserving catchers this year. (Martin leading in voting is a joke.)
1B: Teixeira is Howard with a better glove--HRs and RBIs, but low average and OPS, with other guys more deserving.
SP: Hernandez was great last year, but just good this year.
Baseball!
Lots of Tigers this year but they have some serious bats. You wouldn’t know it from the way they’ve let the Mets pound them in the last two games. (They’re currently leading today)
Leyland even put a position player on the mound last night.
check out the Diamondabcs s/s Steven Drew’s numbers
he is all star caliber all day
Good list, CH! Just too bad Buster Posey’s not catching for the NL...
I really only follow the Dodgers and Giants. I agree with your selections from those teams.
Yep. I was hoping to see what kind of year he had in his 2nd full season. Kid can do it all.
1 CF Brett Gardner*
2 SS Derek Jeter
3 1B Mark Teixeira**
4 3B Alex Rodriguez
5 2B Robinson Cano*
6 RF Nick Swisher**
7 DH Jorge Posada**
8 CF Curtis Granderson* +
9 C Russell Martin
For those who haven’t watched Valverde pitch, you’re in for a treat. He puts on a real show and has 18 saves in 18 games.
Papa Grande!
Verlander picked up his 19th consecutive win today as well.
Leyland even put a position player on the mound last night.And he was the best Tiger pitcher of the day!
Cards fan?
Cubs. Born and raised on the north side of the city of Chicago. Practically lived at Wrigley Field as a kid. Have lived in St. Louis for a long time now, so I follow the Cards also. First loyalty, though, is the Cubs.
I’m a Nationals fan and I love Morse at 1B. I’d also go with Danny Esinosa at 2B...I know his BA isn’t that hot although he’s hit more HR’s than any other rookie at 2B and his D is awesome. I’d also look at Drew Storen and Tyler Clippard for relief.
Sad, I thought I had made a FRiend.
;)
I had Clippard on my team for the longest time, but I picked Lincecum over him for my last pitcher, because a) a starter pitches more than a reliever, and b) Linceum has been superb the last few years. But Clippard may have been the hardest guy to leave off either team, he has been that good.
Living in St. Louis, I do cheer for the Cards, believe it or not, when the Cubs are not in it (which is most years).
So, you're the one.
Having lived in DC, I'd say that the Nats are my fav in the east. They are due.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.