With the rosters set for the All Star Game, my selections fared pretty well. Nine of my picks were voted in as starters by the fans, and of the eight who didn’t, all but one were selected as reserves on the team. The lone outlier was Hideki Matsui at DH, who was passed over by the fans in favor of David Ortiz, and in favor of Milton Bradley for the reserve spot. Overall, not bad. That’s the closest I’ve ever come to having my selections all chosen to play in the game.
Sphere: Related ContentWith the closing of voting for the All Star game less than two weeks away, it’s time for me to mark my ballot and do what little I can to send the best players to Yankee Stadium. Here are my choices for the American League:
First Base: Justin Morneau (MIN)
This is a fairly weak position in the AL this season. Jason Giambi has 17 home runs and a very respectable .394 OBP. but the rest of his numbers are so-so. Kevin Youkilis and Morneau have similar stats overall, but Morneau’s big edge in RBI gives him the edge in my mind.
Second Base: Ian Kinsler (TEX)
Howie Kendrick’s injury took him out of the running. Brian Roberts has the speed, but Kinsler’s SB total is just two less (18 as opposed to 20), and the rest of his numbers are clearly superior. He gets the nod over Roberts, Dustin Pedroia, and Placido Polanco.
Shortstop: Michael Young (TEX)
Orlando Cabrera is probably playing the best right now, but his slow start drags him down. Youg tops Jeter in just about every statistical category, and plays better defense to boot.
Third Base: Alex Rodriguez (NYY)
Joe Crede is having a great season in Chicago, and Miguel Cabrera is pretty good too, but A-Rod is clearly the best third baseman in the game today, and once again having an All Star caliber season.
Catcher: Joe Mauer (MIN)
The big names at this position are having down years either due to injury or advancing age, leaving this spot open for rising star Mauer. AJ Pierzynski and Dionner Navarro are having fine seasons for winning teams, but Mauer’s impressive .420 OBP swings me toward him.
Outfield: Josh Hamilton (TEX), Manny Ramirez (BOS), Grady Sizemore (CLE)
I hate to keep putting Rangers players in here, but hey, when they are the best at their respective positions, you’ve gotta do it. Hamilton is having an unreal MVP type season. Manny is having a typical Manny season, and Grady Sizemore is a great offensive catalyst for the Indians.
DH: Hideki Matsui (NYY)
Big Papi is on the shelf, and while Aubrey Huff has better power numbers, Matsui’s high average and high OBP and hitting in the middle of that potent Yankees lineup makes me put him ahead.
So there it is: three Rangers, two Twins, two Yankees, and one each from the Red Sox and Indians.
I’ll do the National League in another post within a few days.
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