All-Star Game selections thread

Figured this was worthy of its own thread, with all the arguments and all.

Here goes:

AMERICAN LEAGUE
STARTERS
Catcher: Ivan Rodriguez, Detroit. First Base: David Ortiz, Boston. Second Base: Placido Polanco, Detroit. Third Base: Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees. Shortstop: Derek Jeter, New York Yankees. Outfield: Vladimir Guerrero, L.A. Angels; Magglio Ordonez, Detroit; Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle.
RESERVES
Catchers: Victor Martinez, Cleveland; Jorge Posada, New York Yankees. Infielders: Carlos Guillen, Detroit; Mike Lowell, Boston; Justin Morneau, Minnesota; Brian Roberts, Baltimore; Michael Young, Texas. Outfielders: Carl Crawford, Tampa Bay; Torii Hunter, Minnesota; Manny Ramirez, Boston; Alex Rios, Toronto; Grady Sizemore, Cleveland.
PITCHERS
Josh Beckett, Boston; Dan Haren, Oakland; Bobby Jenks, Chicago White Sox; John Lackey, L.A. Angels; Gil Meche, Kansas City; Jonathan Papelbon, Boston; J.J. Putz, Seattle; Francisco Rodriguez, L.A. Angels; C.C. Sabathia, Cleveland; Johan Santana, Minnesota; Justin Verlander, Detroit.

NATIONAL LEAGUE
STARTERS
Catcher: Russell Martin, L.A. Dodgers. First Base: Prince Fielder, Milwaukee. Second Base: Chase Utley, Philadelphia. Third Base: David Wright, New York Mets. Shortstop: Jose Reyes, New York Mets. Outfield: Carlos Beltran, New York Mets; Barry Bonds, San Francisco; Ken Griffey Jr., Cincinnati.
RESERVES
Catcher: Brian McCann, Atlanta. Infielders: Miguel Cabrera, Florida; J.J. Hardy, Milwaukee; Orlando Hudson, Arizona; Derrek Lee, Chicago Cubs; Albert Pujols, St. Louis; Freddy Sanchez, Pittsburgh; Dmitri Young, Washington. Outfielders: Matt Holliday, Colorado; Carlos Lee, Houston; Aaron Rowand, Philadelphia; Alfonso Soriano, Chicago Cubs.
PITCHERS
Francisco Cordero, Milwaukee; Brian Fuentes, Colorado; Cole Hamels, Philadelphia; Trevor Hoffman, San Diego; Jake Peavy, San Diego; Brad Penny, L.A. Dodgers; Takashi Saito, L.A. Dodgers; Ben Sheets, Milwaukee; John Smoltz, Atlanta; Jose Valverde, Arizona; Billy Wagner, New York Mets.

 

You just have to root for a guy named J.J. Putz, don't you?

 

So should Tom Gorzellany or Ian Snell rather than Freddy Sanchez.

 

Which of these pitchers should have made it over the other?


Pitcher A: 9-4, 2.74 ERA (4th in league), 1.14 WHIP, 84K, 38 BB, 10 HRs allowed

Pitcher B: 9-4, 3.87, 1.22, 116K, 29 BB, 19 HRs allowed (most in majors)


Because perception trumps reality, Cole Hamels (B) makes it and John Maine (A) does not.

Bullshit!

 

Don't feel bad, spnited.

Joe Mauer isn't going, either. Not that he deserved to, but hey.

 

I'll give Mr. Softee a pass because he was hurt

(sort of... I mean, six weeks off for some minor injury. what a wimp)

 

Not even that but Maine isn't even one of the five pitchers on the internet ballot

 

Biggest disgrace...Brian Fuentes. He just lost his job and he isn't even the only guy going from the Rockies. Horrible.

While Chris Young has to go on the fan vote-in ballot. And sorry spnited...Young belongs there ahead of Maine, too. Though both should have made the team.

Cabrera absolutely belongs, too, but I guess they had to take Young as the only Ranger.

 

I agree completely on Young. He has to be there.

 

And he has been a rock for a rotation that was supposed to be very, very shaky until at least August.

 

Gorzelanny and Cabrera are the two slights I see. Chone Figgins maybe? He's hitting .894 the last five weeks.