Every year there is somebody who should be starting in the All-Star game but doesn't get voted in. So this is the 2007 All-Star campaign. There are two players that should no question be starting in the All-Star game but right now won't make it. Those two players are Magglio Ordonez and Matt Holliday.
Magglio has just been amazing and is right there with A-Rod as the best player all season. Matt Holliday on the other hand has incredible all around numbers in a very weak field where Adam Dunn and Eric Byrnes are probably the next two best players this season. There is no reason either of these guys should not be starting.
So if you haven't voted yet, vote for these two guys. Also feel free to add to this with other players you want to support.
Going by baseballprospectus VORP stats (value above replacement), the following players should be the starters (current voting rank in parenthesis):
NL OF-Matt Holiday(7), Barry Bonds(4), Aaron Rowand (NR) (if you refuse to vote Bonds, then Ichiro (2) is next highest) 3B-Miguel Cabrera(2) (behind David Wright) SS-Jose Reyes (1) 2B-Chase Utley(1) 1B-Prince Fielder(1) C-Russell Martin(1)
AL OF-Maglio Ordonez (4), Ichiro Suzuki (2), Vlad Guererro (1) 3B-A. Rod (1) 2B-Brian Roberts (NR) 1B-Ortiz (1) SS-Jeter (1) C-Jorge Posada (2) (behind Pudge Rodriguez)
Jeter's apparently running away with the AL SS vote, which I think is a shame (and it's probably ONLY me who feels that way), because Orlando Cabrera's numbers are right up there with Jeter's this year. They'll likely end up going neck-and-neck in September for the batting title, with Jeter currently sitting at .347 to Cabrera's .340. I'm not saying Cabrera should start (START CABRERA), but the vote deserves to be a lot closer than it currently is.
Russell Martin's been kicking ass and taking names for the NL Catchers and deserves a starting nod. L.A. will riot if Paul Lo Duca sneaks into the starting spot this year.
As an aside, I know the fans don't determine the starting pitchers, but I'll hit the roof if an Angel (Lackey or Escobar) doesn't start for the AL this year. These guys are having career years and definitely deserve it. (If only there wasn't also some guy named Josh Beckett pitching on the opposite end of the country...)
And thus ends the Home Town Whoring.
The Wisdom of Homsar: DaAaAa, these Easter pants are gettin' way too tight!
Originally posted by Mr. Boffo NL OF-Matt Holiday(7), Barry Bonds(4), Aaron Rowand (NR) (if you refuse to vote Bonds, then Ichiro (2) is next highest) AL OF-Maglio Ordonez (4), Ichiro Suzuki (2), Vlad Guererro (1)
I would be very surprised if Ichiro starts for both the AL and the NL.
Originally posted by It's FalseJeter's apparently running away with the AL SS vote, which I think is a shame (and it's probably ONLY me who feels that way), because Orlando Cabrera's numbers are right up there with Jeter's this year. They'll likely end up going neck-and-neck in September for the batting title, with Jeter currently sitting at .347 to Cabrera's .340. I'm not saying Cabrera should start (START CABRERA), but the vote deserves to be a lot closer than it currently is.
Russell Martin's been kicking ass and taking names for the NL Catchers and deserves a starting nod. L.A. will riot if Paul Lo Duca sneaks into the starting spot this year.
As an aside, I know the fans don't determine the starting pitchers, but I'll hit the roof if an Angel (Lackey or Escobar) doesn't start for the AL this year. These guys are having career years and definitely deserve it. (If only there wasn't also some guy named Josh Beckett pitching on the opposite end of the country...)
And thus ends the Home Town Whoring.
Considering the manager for the AL this year, pretty good bet that Verlander will be starting with his current 9-2 record. I'm hoping Francona juggles the rotation enough so that he finds a way for Beckett to pitch on the Sunday before the All-Star game against the Tigers so that he doesn't go or at least doesn't pitch. Remember, vote for Yankees, Angels, Tigers and Indians for the All-Star game and vote against all Red Sox players, especially since the Red Sox get 4 against a rested Blue Jays roster right out of the break.
'Ric Flair wishes he was Paul Roma.' Congratulations Paul on winning the Idiotic Comment of the Decade Award.
Originally posted by It's FalseJeter's apparently running away with the AL SS vote, which I think is a shame (and it's probably ONLY me who feels that way), because Orlando Cabrera's numbers are right up there with Jeter's this year. They'll likely end up going neck-and-neck in September for the batting title, with Jeter currently sitting at .347 to Cabrera's .340. I'm not saying Cabrera should start (START CABRERA), but the vote deserves to be a lot closer than it currently is.
I agree that it's a shame, so it's not just you feeling that way. I'd go with Guillen over Jeter or Cabrera. Still, even as much as I hate Jeter, I can't argue too much with him starting; it's not like it would be a complete travesty or anything.
"Teach children that they have great potential because they are human." -Warrior
I think the fans have MOSTLY got it right though. At least more so than in past years where an injured Barry Larkin got a free pass because he's Barry Larkin, etc.
For me, the guy is either having a monster year, OR he's having his usual great year in the never ending string of them....
My votes:
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Catcher: Victor Martinez First Base: David Ortiz Second Base: ...weak... I guess Ian Kinsler Third Base: Alex Rodriguez Shortstop: Carlos Guillen Outfield: Grady Sizemore Outfield: Vladmir Guerrero Outfield: Magglio Ordonez
Starting Pitcher: Danny Haren Closer: JJ Putz
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Catcher: Russell Martin First Base: Albert Pujols (sorry, Prince is having a monster year, but Pujols is a perrenial all-star) Second Base: Chase Utley Third Base: David Wright Shortstop: Jose Reyes Outfield: Matt Holliday Outfield: Ken Griffey Jr. Outfield: Barry Bonds (the game is in SF, otherwise my choice is Alfonso Soriano)
Starting Pitcher: Jake Peavy Closer: Francisco Cordero
So last night's White Sox vs. Mariners game may have driven me completely nuts and thus this makes no sense. I think it kind of does though, so hopefully you'll agree.