All-Star Picks, 2010
by Jesse on Jul 5, 2010 3:17 PM EDT
in Opinion
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PrintIt's become a bit of a Twinkie Town tradition. If you want a blast from the past, check out previous editions from 2007, 2008 and 2009.
Catcher
Make all the arguments you want for another American League catcher, but this guy is the best. He just is.
Previous Selections: 3 (2006, 2008, 2009)
Runner Up: Victor Martinez, Red Sox
First Base
This one is actually a pretty close choice, because Miguel Caberra is having an incredible season. But I have to go with Justin, because he has been the center piece of the Minnesota offense all season. When Mauer was hurt, and when Mauer wasn't hitting like Mauer, Justin was there for you. With a hockey stick.
Previous Selections: 3 (2007 - 2009)
Runner-Up: Miguel Cabrera, Tigers
Second Base
Cano is a great baseball player. He just is. He's raking in extra-base hits, and because his batting average is so incredibly high it off-sets the fact that he doesn't actually walk that often...and he still has a superb on-base percentage. But man...I hate it when I have to vote Yankee.
Previous Selections: 1 (2006)
Runner-Up: Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox
Third Base
Fewer home runs than his runner-up MVP season of '04, but he's still having a monster year. Oh yeah, he plays some pretty damn fine defense, too.
Previous Selections: 0
Runner-Up: Evan Longoria, Rays
Shortstop
Ladies and gentlemen...a high Derek Jeter. Seriously though, he's the benefactor of an exceptionally weak shortstop class this season. He typically hits much better in every facet of his game, so I have to ask: is this finally the season where we see Jeter's skills start to decline? He just turned 36, so...maybe.
Jeter: Okay, let me know when you're gonna take the picture. [Camera clicks] HEY!
Previous Selections: 10 (1998 - 2002, 2004, 2006 - 2009)
Runner-Up: Alexei Ramirez, White Sox
Left Field
This guy is having an absolute monster season. I know he's starting the actual All-Star game in center, but he's been playing a lot of left and he's listed as a left fielder. So here he is.
Previous Selections: 2 (2008, 2009)
Runner-Up: Carl Crawford, Rays
Center Field
Another great offensive season for a center fielder, Hunter continues to actually get better with age. Congrats, Torii. You deserve it.
Previous Selections: 3 (2002, 2007, 2009)
Runner-Up: Alex Rios, White Sox
Right Field
Another Ichiro-esque season. He does it in his sleep.
Previous Selections: 9 (2001 - 2009)
Runner-Up: David DeJesus, Royals
Designated Hitter
I never thought Vlad was quite finished, even if he can't field and can barely run. Good for him. This competition isn't even close.
Previous Selections: 8 (1999 - 2002, 2004 - 2007)
Runner-Up: David Ortiz, Red Sox
That's it! Those are the nine guys I think are most deserving, and their backups. What about you--who do you like? Is anybody being unfairly excluded?
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I would go Rios over Torii in CF, as much as I hate to admit it
They’ve both been great offensively, but I think Rios’ defense has been better than Torii’s defense this year.
Other than that, no changes. I think Morneau/Cabrera is close, but I give Morneau the nod easily. I also think Beltre/Longoria is very close at 3rd.
Those turtles that were climbing turtles couldn't climb over the turtle fence...
by what_would_gil_thorp_do on Jul 5, 2010 5:48 PM EDT reply actions
Bucholz to the DL
Open up a spot for Liriano?
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any of us." - Kirby Puckett
Doubtful, Im thinking it goes to Weaver or King Felix with the slight edge to Weaver. :P
Hopefully he gets Cahill’s spot because theirs talk about Kurt Suzuki going as a third catcher (Then Oakland would be repped) but you never know.
I love Twins Baseball and Minnesota Vikings Football.
by Percy Harvin My Fav! on Jul 6, 2010 1:33 AM EDT up reply actions
Ban middle relievers
Middle relievers generally have no place in an All-Star game. Take a look, the rosters are full of them. I’d rather they go back to an exhibition game and put starting pitchers on the roster than see 4 middle relievers play because they’re trying to win.
This is why people who argue “Player X was only in 2 All-Star games, that doesn’t seem like a Hall of Famer to me” are full of baloney. Starting pitchers get the worst of it – the roster is so position player heavy and then they start filling up with relief pitchers.
Who takes the Rangers' pictures?
It looks like they’re auditioning for a boy band or something, with Hamilton being the “fun one” who’s always joking around and acting silly, and Vlad being the “serious, emotional one” who all the girls are in love with (note that Hamilton could also work as the “nondescript one who only sings harmony and no one can remember his name”). If that guy ever takes the pictures for the Twins, I move that “Hangin’ Tough” be the team’s official theme song for the year. We’re rough!
It saddens me that “The Impaler” never caught on as a nickname for Guerrero.
"There are only two things that are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein
He'd probably actually have to impale someone with a broken bat.
I like “Supervlad” and “The Vladiator” myself.
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
"Now I am become Mod, the destroyer of bad words." -fischean
by less cowbell, more 'neau on Jul 6, 2010 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Poster idea
Vlad could be standing in the outfield, wearing a black cloak and his baseball cap, brandishing his bat menacingly, surrounded by wooden stakes with the severed heads of various American League pitchers on them (Vlad the Impaler was famous for that).
"There are only two things that are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein
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