[MVB]

This is how we stand so far in the All Star game voting-

American League:

C- Jason Varitek (BOS)
1B- David Ortiz (BOS)
2B- Robinson Cano (NYY)
3B- Alex Rodriguez (NYY)
SS- Derek Jeter (NYY)
OF- Manny Ramirez (BOS)
OF- Vladimir Guerrero (LAA)
OF- Johnny Damon (NYY)

LOL, we see a pattern here, eh? I'm shocked that Varitek is tops among catchers ( he's been terrible this year, and Sox fans will be the first to admit it)- Martinez of the Indians or Rodriguez of the Tigers deserve the spot. Rodriguez is currently second and Posada is third.

I was also very, very surprised by Cano's strong vote-gathering (he has a very slight lead over Mark Loretta of Boston). Derek Jeter is the American League top vote-getter, and A-Rod is miles ahead of Mike Lowell (which I don't think is right; Lowell has been very impressive this year). Guerrero is the only non-Yankee or Sox player in the list.

National League:

C- Paul Lo Duca (NYM)
1B- Guess who? (STL)
2B- Craig Biggio (HOU)
3B- Scott Rolen (STL)
SS- David Eckstein (STL)
OF- Andruw Jones (ATL)
OF- Carlos Beltran (NYM)
OF- Jim Edmonds (STL)

Look at all those Cards. Pujols is the top vote-getter in the NL All Star voting. Lo Duca leads Mike Piazza by only a few thousand votes. Why is Jim Edmonds in there, though? I can think of several more productive, worthy players who should be the third starting outfielder.

So...what do you think of all this?

And don't forget to_vote!

[MJHMarc]

Thanks for the latest leaders in the All-Star Voting, MVB.

This is a very interesting selection from the fan's opinions of this year's All Star rosters. Some things caught my eye as soon as I glanced at the listing. Let me give you my opinions while you will be able to find in my annotation.

C- Jason Varitek (BOS)--I think he is the best catcher in the AL
1B- David Ortiz (BOS)--They won't start him at first, will they? I hope there is a DH spot.
2B- Robinson Cano (NYY)--He is very young and good, but is he really all that good?
3B- Alex Rodriguez (NYY)--As expected, A-Rod claims the corner
SS- Derek Jeter (NYY)--Michael Young will be fighting for this spot in a few years...
OF- Manny Ramirez (BOS)--Caught on from his early slump
OF- Vladimir Guerrero (LAA)--Great player with a lot of power
OF- Johnny Damon (NYY)--Damon gives the Yanks the lead, 4-3, in All-Star voting

C- Paul Lo Duca (NYM)--Surprise Piazza isn't up here. Lo Duca deserves it though!
1B- Guess who? (STL)--Albert Pujols! That was a tough one.
2B- Craig Biggio (HOU)--Why can't Alfonso Soriano played second for this game?
3B- Scott Rolen (STL)--Not a bad choice. I would've picked Blalock, Wright or Ensberg
SS- David Eckstein (STL)--Amazing shortstop. He may be short but he has the "goods"!
OF- Andruw Jones (ATL)--The only good Jones these days in Atlanta
OF- Carlos Beltran (NYM)--What do you expect? He isn't doing too bad this year.
OF- Jim Edmonds (STL)--I would have picked Alfonso Soriano, Bobby Abreu (RBIs) or Nick Swisher.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Jason Varitek (BOS) is actually friends with one of my co-workers (he is from Lake Brantley High School, which is two miles from where I use to live)...he is a great guy and a great catcher...but he is having an off year and really doesn't deserve the nod.

How is Barry Bonds doing?

[MJHMarc]

I heard that Varitek is a nice guy from a friend of mine. Thanks for confirming that information with me, Gotham Dark Knight.

but he is having an off year and really doesn't deserve the nod.

I agree, Varitek is having an "off-year" with a .240 batting average to go with 5 homeruns and 25 RBIs. As you may have heard me say before, catchers aren't really great hitters at all.

The best possible catcher for the American League All-Star team would be Ramon Hernandez of the Baltimore Orioles. He is batting a solid .288 with 8 HRs, and 38 RBIs. I would personally rather see Varitek catching for the top pitcher in the AL, though.

Don't forget that Jason Varitek splits his catching-time with Doug Mirabelli who catches for Tim Wakefield. I honestly don't realize or care who I am pitching to. I only care if I strike them out or I walk them.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by MJHMarc

I heard that Varitek is a nice guy from a friend of mine. Thanks for confirming that information with me, Gotham Dark Knight.


I agree, Varitek is having an "off-year" with a .240 batting average to go with 5 homeruns and 25 RBIs. As you may have heard me say before, catchers aren't really great hitters at all.

The best possible catcher for the American League All-Star team would be Ramon Hernandez of the Baltimore Orioles. He is batting a solid .288 with 8 HRs, and 38 RBIs. I would personally rather see Varitek catching for the top pitcher in the AL, though.

Don't forget that Jason Varitek splits his catching-time with Doug Mirabelli who catches for Tim Wakefield. I honestly don't realize or care who I am pitching to. I only care if I strike them out or I walk them.

Hitting aside... Varitek is known to call a good game for pitchers...pitchers like this guy.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by MJHMarc

I
The best possible catcher for the American League All-Star team would be Ramon Hernandez of the Baltimore Orioles. He is batting a solid .288 with 8 HRs, and 38 RBIs. I would personally rather see Varitek catching for the top pitcher in the AL, though.

PS You are over looking Joe Mauer who is hitting .348 with 4 homers and 4 stolen bases...Mauer is a future All-Star

[pete_b]

All this hitting hitting hitting. Let's talk pitching for a minute shall we? I guess we should decide right here and now who is gonna start for each team. Or at least the top three. Win place or show.

NL- Glavine(ATL) with eight wins and the third lowest era in the NL bar none, Brandon Webb(ARI) with eight wins and THE lowest era in the NL, and Arroyo(CIN) who is 6-2 with the second lowest era at 2.58

AL- Contreras(CWS) with a holy cow 1.83 era and a 5-0 record, Verlander 2.55 and 7-3, and Mussina(NYY) 6-1 and a 2.59 era.

Closers
NL- Jason Isringhausen(STL) with 17 saves and a 3.38 era 16 SOs and only 18.2 IP or is it gonna be Tom Gordon(PHI) with a 1.7 era and 15 saves.

AL- Papelbon(BOS) has 18 saves and a POINT 35 era sheesh. 18/18 Save/Save opportunities and 26 IP...DONE

This is just stats talkin...anybody got any better ideas?

[mervinout]

unfourtantly i think pedro will start but i think it really should be webb, and the AL Contreras

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by mervinout

unfourtantly i think pedro will start but i think it really should be webb, and the AL Contreras

Webb and Pedro went at it tonight and battled it out even...but I am with Mervinout...I think Webb should get the nod...His ERA just dipped to 2.01 tonight and he has been awesome all year long.

[MVB]

Unfortunately, the game's in Pittsburg so there's no DH spot. Which means Ortiz will steal the spot from actual firstbaseman (like Teixeira, Giambi, Shelton, Konerko, etc...)

Well, the NL starting pitching staff should look like this:

Glavine
Webb
Martinez
Arroyo

AL starting pitching should be:

Contrera
Sabathia
Mussina
maybe Schilling...

[legend]

Ramon Hernandez should be the AL catcher- .286, 8, 39 with 19 of 34 runners thrown out.
Jose Lopez of Seattle should be at second- .282, 8, 42 RBI

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by MVB

Unfortunately, the game's in Pittsburg so there's no DH spot. Which means Ortiz will steal the spot from actual firstbaseman (like Teixeira, Giambi, Shelton, Konerko, etc...)

Well, the NL starting pitching staff should look like this:

Glavine
Webb
Martinez
Arroyo

AL starting pitching should be:

Contrera
Sabathia
Mussina
maybe Schilling...

I would still give Webb the nod over Glavine...Ortiz is worthy of the spot though the other guys have put up a strong case...

[mervinout]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

Webb and Pedro went at it tonight and battled it out even...but I am with Mervinout...I think Webb should get the nod...His ERA just dipped to 2.01 tonight and he has been awesome all year long.

im so glad i have the mlb extra innings it was a great matchup between webb and pedro tonight. how many scoreless innings is webb at

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by mervinout

im so glad i have the mlb extra innings it was a great matchup between webb and pedro tonight. how many scoreless innings is webb at

At least 25...maybe more... I've always liked this kid...He was a bit off in his second year...but now he is becoming a top tier pitcher.

[MJHMarc]

Hey, what about Scott Kazmir in the American League All-Star pitching staff? He is 7-3 with a brilliant 2.86 ERA! Those numbers look like Cy Young numbers right now, so I am surprised he doesn't represent the American League. I think everybody else mentioned earlier in this thread, to pitch for the American League All-Stars deserves a spot in the roster. Please reserve one for Kazmir!