[MVB]

Oh, and Berkman and Dye are going to be in it as well.

From what I got out of ESPN commercials, Pujols and Tejeda may participate too.

[wedge]

I hope Ryan Howard doesnt win the Homerun Derby. Abreu's swing hasnt been the same since winning, and setting a record, last year.

[Lefty Noob]

The final two All-Stars have been announced: A.J. Pierzynski in the AL and NL batting leader Nomar Garciaparra won the Internet balloting for the final roster sports.

Pierzynski, Garciaparra win voting for final All-Star spots - MLB - Yahoo! Sports

[MVB]

And I spent all day voting for Liriano... How can the pitcher with the lowest ERA in baseball, NOT make the All Star game?

[Lefty Noob]

Pierzynski credits wrestling fans - he's done some work for TNA Wrestling in the past, and supposedly the promotion was running a big campaign and pushing for their fans to vote him into the All-Star game. Guess it worked.

[MVB]

Yeah, the Sox ran a "Punch A.J." campaign...playing off the incident with the Cubs.

ESPN finally released the Home Run Derby lineup-

American League
David Ortiz (BOS)
Miguel Tejeda (BAL)
Troy Glaus (TOR)
Jermaine Dye (CHI)

National League
Ryan Howard (PHI)
Lance Berkman (HOU)
David Wright (NYM)
Miguel Cabrera (FL)

Jason Bay, Carlos Lee, Alex Rodriguez, and Albert Pujols all stepped out of the competition.

[Lefty Noob]

Man, the others I can understand, but Bay should've gone out there for the hometown fans.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by MVB

Yeah, the Sox ran a "Punch A.J." campaign...playing off the incident with the Cubs.

ESPN finally released the Home Run Derby lineup-

American League
David Ortiz (BOS)
Miguel Tejeda (BAL)
Troy Glaus (TOR)
Jermaine Dye (CHI)

National League
Ryan Howard (PHI)
Lance Berkman (HOU)
David Wright (NYM)
Miguel Cabrera (FL)

Jason Bay, Carlos Lee, Alex Rodriguez, and Albert Pujols all stepped out of the competition.

Dye?...Chicago couldn't offer Thome?

[legend]

Like the NBA Slam Dunk contest, lots of guys who fans would want to see don't participate in these things. However, as long as Howard and Ortiz are in it, the event should be pretty good.

[MVB]

American League Lineup:
1. Ichiro Suzuki, RF
2. Derek Jeter, SS
3. David Ortiz, 1B
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
5. Vladimir Guerrero, LF
6. Ivan Rodriguez, C
7. Vernon Wells, CF
8. Mark Loretta, 2B
9. Kenny Rogers, P


National League Lineup:
1. Alfonso Soriano, LF
2. Carlos Beltran, CF
3. Albert Pujols, 1B
4. Jason Bay, RF
5. Edgar Renteria, SS
6. David Wright, 3B
7. Chase Utley, 2B
8. Paul Lo Duca, C
9. Brad Penny, P


Why is A-Rod batting cleanup instead of Ortiz? Why is Vernon Wells 7th in the lineup (he should be 5th)!? Jason Bay cleaning up for the NL????? Why is Wright batting 6th (instead of 3rd, 4th, or 5th)!?!

What do you all think?

[Lefty Noob]

Bay is probably to throw a bone to the hometown fans, although Wright 3rd, Pujols 4th, Bay 5th makes much more sense to me. Ortiz may be so he can get his at-bats in faster and have to play half an inning less of defense, who know? I think that one could've gone either way. Or maybe its the two top vote getters batting cleanup for both leagues? I don't know.