NL and AL All-Star Rosters

[Leafs_Fa_Life]

Link (http://cbs.sportsline.com/mlb/allstar/rosters)

Aside from Rolen, voted in by the fans, the team looks pretty good in the NL. In the AL I'd take Travis Hafner ahead of Shea Hillenbrand, but I guess Francona sided with Shea because he can play 1B/3B late in a game, where Hafner is limited defensively and could only PH.

For my final vote I selected Jeter and Oswalt.

[PDO]

Beltran? :conspire:

Asides from that, I can see most of the picks as reasonable.

[J.R.]

Beltran? :conspire: Perhaps not as a starter, but Carlos Beltran does deserve to be on the National League team. Admittedly his power numbers are down, 40 RBI in a half a season isn't too bad. That considering the Mets' lineup ahead of him isn't getting in a position for him to drive them home. I chalk it up to reputation (see: 2004 Playoffs) for him being voted a starter. I don't mind at all, but blame it on the fans for him being the starting centre fielder.

Great to see Pedro being named an NL pitcher. Much deserved. And Mike Piazza starting being the plate for yet another All Star game. Anyone know how many in a row he has started?

True Mets' bias: David Wright should have a spot at third.

Go National League - the real league.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/jrthesportsczar/nl.gif

[Leafs_Fa_Life]

Wright has had a solid season. You could definitely justify having him on the All-Star team. 4th in the league in OPS, and his 11 homers and 43 ribbies ain't bad either. Also, I believe the young man has made some web gems at the hot corner this year :thumb:

[J.R.]

Also, I believe the young man has made some web gems at the hot corner this year :thumb:Correct. From Jeter-esque diving into the stands plays to sprawling on the ground at the hot corner to prevent a double and get an out, Wrighty has appeared on SportsCentre's Honour Roll many times already.

My final votes go to Roy Oswalt and Torii Hunter. If I could vote, my starters would be Dontrelle Willis (Hernandez second) and Jon Garland (Halladay close second).

A couple surprises - MLB is allowing Kenny Rogers to be named to the team, even though his suspension will be served over the All Star break. - Rodriguez won't be starting in Detroit. Varitek beat him out for the start.

[Mel]

Jeter leads by a hair (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20050705&content_id=1116687&vkey=allstar2005&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb)

I can't believe Podsednik is on Jeter's tail for the final vote. Yes Podsednik is the league's stolen base king. But can you say one trick pony? Let's look at some other stats besides stolen bases.

ALL STAR VOTES:
Jeter > 2 million
Podsednik < 1 million

RUNS:
Jeter 64 (leads MLB)
Podsednik 45 (a guy that fast on the best team in baseball?)

HOME RUNS:
Jeter 10
Podsednik 0 (zero)

RBI:
Jeter 35
Podsednik 17

AVG:
Jeter .303 (over 300 as usual)
Podsednik .282

OBP:
Jeter .392
Podsednik .356

SLG:
Jeter .444
Podsednik .327

OPS:
Jeter .836
Podsednik .683

And not for nothing but Jeter has been known to steal a few bases when he needs to.

Matsui or Hunter over Jeter? OK I'll go along. Podsednik? please. :rolleyes:

[Leafs_Fa_Life]

If I could vote, my starters would be Dontrelle Willis (Hernandez second) and Jon Garland (Halladay close second).

I would go with Halladay in the AL. Jon Garland isn't even the best pitcher on his team. If he started over Doc and Buerhle I'd be pretty mad.

As for Willis, he's been great this year, but I think your boy Pedro deserves the nod. Pedro beats Willis in WHIP, OPS, K/BB, and K/9. Willis only has a better win total.

[Mel]

Well Podsednik has crept into the lead. What a farce... this must have something to do with it.

If Podsednik holds on for the victory, his teammates' grass-roots campaign for his candidacy might prove to be the reason.

The White Sox have been doing everything in their power to get their man -- who leads the Majors in stolen bases -- into the Midsummer Classic, which will be played at Comerica Park.

The "Podsednik Plan" was put in motion Monday night as Podsednik signed autographs during a two-hour rain delay. First, one of manager Ozzie Guillen's kids held up a "Vote for Scott" sign in the background. Then All-Star pitcher Mark Buehrle spoke to the crowd before the postgame fireworks, encouraging them to get online and send Podsednik to Detroit.

"We need everyone to vote for Scott because he needs to be on this All-Star Team," Buehrle said.

Even Podsednik got into the act.

"I have voted for myself a couple of times," the outfielder said with a smile. "I've thrown a couple in there."

...

Prior to Monday night's game in Chicago, the White Sox held a 'Pause for Pods," during which the announcers encouraged fans to use their cell phone to vote for Podsednik. The club also made several announcements and message board messages during the game encouraging fans to vote online and via cell phone.

Jeter (see above), Hunter (52 runs, 14 HR, 52 RBI, 19 SB) and Matsui (.317, 54 runs, 13 HR, 65 RBI) are all far more deserving of the all star nod than Podsenik, a guy who can steal bases. This "final vote" is a sham.

Even Crawford, another speedster with 25 SB's has 50 runs, 9 homers and 46 RBI... far better than Podsednik's measly numbers.

Podsednik is the least qualified of the 5 to make the team. :curse:

[Newfie John]

I would go with Halladay in the AL. Jon Garland isn't even the best pitcher on his team. If he started over Doc and Buerhle I'd be pretty mad.

As for Willis, he's been great this year, but I think your boy Pedro deserves the nod. Pedro beats Willis in WHIP, OPS, K/BB, and K/9. Willis only has a better win total.

I'd give Doc the nod in the AL and Willis the nod in the NL.

[Leafs_Fa_Life]

Podsednik is the least qualified of the 5 to make the team. :curse:

Totally agree. Podsednik isn't all-star calibre IMO, and I'd much rather see Jeter or Hunter go. Both are having better seasons, but Hunter goes under the radar since he's in Minny, and all the Yankee haters are voting for Podsednik :conspire:

[Mel]

Totally agree. Podsednik isn't all-star calibre IMO, and I'd much rather see Jeter or Hunter go. Both are having better seasons, but Hunter goes under the radar since he's in Minny, and all the Yankee haters are voting for Podsednik :conspire:

Honestly I don't even think Jeter deserves to go out of the 5 players listed. Here's how I would rank them.

1) Hunter / Matsui - virtual toss-up, both having big years. I'm fine with Hunter getting picked over Matsui... this is not Yankee bias on my part.

3) Jeter

4) Crawford

5) Podsednik - a DISTANT last.

I've seen this "Podsednik campaign" spoken of on other sports forums, it's a shame that players who are having all-star seasons might now lose a spot to a man with 0 homers and 17 RBI's, 45 runs on the season. Truly pathetic. :mad:

He only excels in stolen bases, however both Hunter and Crawford have close to or over 20. Jeter has 10. Stolen bases... big deal so the guy is fast.

He falls short in every other category. Trust me, I have him on a fantasy team... I suffer through 4-5 games where he does absolutely nothing just to get to that game where he'll wake up and steal 3-4 bases.

IMO he shouldn't even be in the "final vote".

[Mel]

OK I have become completely obsessed with this "Podsednik campaign". I actually took the time to look up all the stats and write this out. (Yes I am a lunatic). They are going to announce this tonight and word is Podsednik is going to win.

Let's break down stats of the 5 choices. I'll give Podsednik his props and put stolen bases first on the list... and let's see where it leads from there. :curse:

STEALS:

Podsednik : 41
Crawford : 25
Hunter : 19
Jeter : 10
Matsui : 2

HITS:

Crawford : 101
Jeter : 100
Matsui : 99
Hunter : 82
Podsednik : 76

BATTING AVERAGE:

Matsui : .317
Jeter : .308
Podsednik : .286
Crawford : .285
Hunter : .277

RUNS:

Jeter : 66
Matsui : 54
Hunter : 52
Crawford : 50
Podsednik : 46

HOME RUNS:

Hunter : 14
Matsui : 13
Jeter : 10
Crawford : 9
Podsednik : 0


RUNS BATTED IN:

Matsui : 65
Hunter : 52
Crawford : 46
Jeter : 35
Podsednik : 17

TOTAL BASES:

Matsui : 163
Crawford : 156
Hunter : 148
Jeter : 145
Podsednik : 89

EXTRA BASE HITS:

Hunter : 37
Matsui : 37
Crawford : 29
Jeter : 23
Podsednik : 13

SLUGGING PERCENTAGE:

Matsui : .522
Hunter : .500
Jeter : .446
Crawford : .439
Podsednik : .335

ON-BASE PLUS SLUGGING PERCENTAGE (OPS):

Matsui : .907
Hunter : .845
Jeter : 841
Crawford : .757
Podsednik : .693

It is a complete and total slap in the face to MLB and the fans that the Chicago organization can roust a "grass roots" movement to put a guy on the all star team, who frankly doesn't belong in this "final five". I could name a number of players more deserving than Podsednik.

I can't blame MLB... they are worlds ahead with their web presence and stuff like this people love. I just don't understand why Podsednik is on the ballot. Maybe they wanted to create buzz in the large Chicago market.. but isn't Konerko already on the team? :confused:

[KB in Kelowna]

OK I have become completely obsessed with this "Podsednik campaign". I actually took the time to look up all the stats and write this out. (Yes I am a lunatic). They are going to announce this tonight and word is Podsednik is going to win.

Let's break down stats of the 5 choices. I'll give Podsednik his props and put stolen bases first on the list... and let's see where it leads from there. :curse:

It is a complete and total slap in the face to MLB and the fans that the Chicago organization can roust a "grass roots" movement to put a guy on the all star team, who frankly doesn't belong in this "final five". I could name a number of players more deserving than Podsednik.

I can't blame MLB... they are worlds ahead with their web presence and stuff like this people love. I just don't understand why Podsednik is on the ballot. Maybe they wanted to create buzz in the large Chicago market.. but isn't Konerko already on the team? :confused:

Sort of like the Cincinnati Reds in 1957, a mediocre team got something like 7 starters "voted" on to the all start team. Commissioner Frick had to step in and void some of the "votes".

This fan voting may be a tradition, like Hot Dogs, the 7th inning stretch and Stienbrennner firing somebody ;) but the system needs to be adjusted.

[Mel]

Actually the final vote is a very good gimmick for MLB to create fan interest and publicity for the game. The NHL should follow the example and get their fan's web involvement on par with MLB and the NFL.

Both their web site's update their games live play-by-play on the site. NHL's web coverage is pretty shabby by comparison. If I was king, I'd put that high on the list of tasks to ressurrect the NHL.

I think it's a good idea, I was just annoyed that a guy wound up on the ballot who clearly was less deserving than many other players... not only that but he won!

I'm over it now :)

[Leafs_Fa_Life]

Carpenter and Buerhle have been named the starters. Can't argue there :thumb: