My All-Star Teams

Taking a quick break from the countdown before we get into the Top 10, I'd like to share my thoughts on the 2010 MLB All-Star Teams.


First off, I like that the players, coaches, and fans all get some say as to who makes the team. However, I think that there really is no need for there to be an all-star from every team, when there are more deserving players from teams that don't get to go. Like, what incentive does Ty Wigginton have to give 100% in the All-Star game? So that the Sawks or Yanks can get one more home game in the WS?

But anyway, for the most part I don't have too much gripe about the people picked for the midsummer classic, but nevertheless, there are some head-scratchers.

Let's look at the teams as of right now:

American League
Starters
Pos Player

C Joe Mauer, MIN

1B Justin Morneau, MIN

2B Robinson Cano, NYY

SS Derek Jeter, NYY

3B Evan Longoria, TB

OF Josh Hamilton, TEX

OF Ichiro Suzuki, SEA

OF Carl Crawford, TB

DH Vladimir Guerrero, TEX
Pitchers
Pos Player

P Clay Buchholz, BOS

P Trevor Cahill, OAK

P Fausto Carmona, CLE

P Neftali Feliz, TEX

P Phil Hughes, NYY

P Cliff Lee, SEA

P Jon Lester, BOS

P David Price, TB

P Mariano Rivera, NYY

P CC Sabathia, NYY

P Joakim Soria, KC

P Matt Thornton, CWS

P Jose Valverde, DET
Reserves
Pos Player

C John Buck, TOR**

C Victor Martinez, BOS*

1B Miguel Cabrera, DET

2B Dustin Pedroia, BOS*

2B Ian Kinsler, TEX***

2B Ty Wigginton, BAL

SS Elvis Andrus, TEX

3B Adrian Beltre, BOS

3B Alex Rodriguez, NYY

OF Jose Bautista, TOR

OF Torii Hunter, LAA

OF Vernon Wells, TOR

DH David Ortiz, BOS


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National League
Starters
Pos Player

C Yadier Molina, STL

1B Albert Pujols, STL

2B Chase Utley, PHI+

SS Hanley Ramirez, FLA

3B David Wright, NYM

OF Ryan Braun, MIL

OF Andre Ethier, LAD

OF Jason Heyward, ATL
Pitchers
Pos Player

P Jonathan Broxton, LAD

P Matt Capps, WAS

P Chris Carpenter, STL

P Yovani Gallardo, MIL

P Roy Halladay, PHI

P Tim Hudson, ATL

P Ubaldo Jimenez, COL

P Josh Johnson, FLA

P Tim Lincecum, SF

P Evan Meek, PIT

P Arthur Rhodes, CIN

P Adam Wainwright, STL

P Brian Wilson, SF
Reserves
Pos Player

C Brian McCann, ATL

1B Adrian Gonzalez, SD

1B Ryan Howard, PHI

2B Brandon Phillips, CIN

2B Martin Prado, ATL++

SS Jose Reyes, NYM+++

SS Troy Tulowitzki, COL*

3B Omar Infante, ATL

3B Scott Rolen, CIN

OF Michael Bourn, HOU

OF Marlon Byrd, CHC

OF Corey Hart, MIL

OF Matt Holliday, STL

OF Chris Young, ARI

Notes:
* Chosen on Player Ballot, on the DL
** Replaces Victor Martinez
*** Replaces Dustin Pedroia

+ Chosen by fans, on the DL
++ Replaces Chase Utley in starting lineup
+++ Replaces Troy Tulowitzki


Not too bad, but could be a lot better.
My two biggest snubs on both sides are Joey Votto (.318 avg, 1.017 OPS, 21 HR) of the Reds and Jered Weaver (8-3, 2.82 ERA, 124 SO, 1.058 WHIP) of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of California of the United States of America on planet Earth.

MY 2010 ALLSTARS

C - MIGUEL OLIVO, Rockies (backups: Brian McCann, Braves; Geovanny Soto, Cubs)

1B - ALBERT PUJOLS, Cards (backups: Joey Votto, Reds; Adrian Gonzalez, Padres)

2B - CHASE UTLEY, Phillies replaced by Martin Prado, Braves (backups: Kelly Johnson, D-Backs; Brandon Phillips, Reds)

3B - DAVID WRIGHT, Mets (backups: Ryan Zimmerman, Nats; Scott Rolen, Reds)

SS - TROY TULOWITZKI, Rockies replaced by Hanley Ramirez, Marlins (backups: Rafael Furcal, Dodgers; Jose Reyes, Mets)

OF - MATT HOLLIDAY, Cards

MARLON BYRD, Cubs

ANDREW MCCUTCHEN, Pirates

(backups: Colby Rasmus, Cards; Ryan Braun, Brewers; Jayson Werth, Phils)

SP - UBALDO JIMENEZ, Rockies (also: Roy Halladay, Phils; Josh Johnson, Marlins; Adam Wainwright, Cardinals; Jaime Garcia, Cards; Matt Cain, Giants; Tim Lincecum, Giants

RP - JONATHAN BROXTON, Dodgers (also: Billy Wagner, Braves; Arthur Rhodes, Reds; Carlos Marmol, Cubs; Luke Gregerson, Padres; Heath Bell, Padres)


AL

C - JOE MAUER, Twins (backups: Jorge Posada, Yankees; Victor Martinez, Red Sox)

1B - JUSTIN MORNEAU, Twins (backups: Miguel Cabrera, Tigers; Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox; Paul Konerko, White Sox)

2B - ROBINSON CANO, Yanks (backups: Orlando Hudson, Twins)

3B - EVAN LONGORIA, Rays (backups: Adrian Beltre, Red Sox; Michael Young, Rangers)

SS - DEREK JETER, Yanks (backups: Alex Gonzalez, Blue Jays; Elvis Andrus, Rangers)

OF - JOSH HAMILTON, Rangers

ICHIRO, Mariners

CARL CRAWFORD, Rays

(backups: Alex Rios, White Sox; Vernon Wells, Blue Jays; Torii Hunter, Angels)

DH - VLADIMIR GUERRERO, Rangers

SP - CLIFF LEE, Mariners (also: Felix Hernandez, Mariners; Jered Weaver, Angels; Francisco Liriano, TWINS; CC Sabathia, Yanks; Andy Pettite, Yanks; David Price, Rays)

RP - MARIANO RIVERA, Yanks (also: Jose Valverde, Tigers; Andrew Bailey, Athletics; Neftali Perez, Rangers; Rafael Soriano, Rays)


All-Star game prediction: NL is winning this year. Book it. 6-4.