OT: MLB All-Star Rosters Announced

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July 3rd, 2011 at 2:44 PM
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AAB
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OT: MLB All-Star Rosters Announced

Major League Baseball announced the rosters for the 2011 all-star game today. Four Tigers made the team: Alex Avila (starting at catcher), Verlander, Cabrera, and Valverde (wut?).

The most ridiculous inclusion is the desiccated corpse of Derek Jeter (he of the hilarious .260/.324/.324 line), who is starting despite being maybe the 10th best shortstop in the AL this year. The most ridiculous omission is Andrew McCutchen, who isn't even on the fan-vote list for the last spot despite putting up a .289/.390/.493 line as a fricking center fielder. He's easily one of the 3 or 4 best position players in the National League, and he's not even eligible for the pity spot. Well done, MLB. Well done.

Any other selections/omissions that strike anyone as noteworthy?

There is no time, sir, at which ties do not matter.

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July 3rd, 2011 at 2:55 PM | As a cubs fan (Score:3 Normal)
Jedelman11
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Joined: 12/15/2008
MGoPoints: 832

As a cubs fan I don't care much for the White Sox (actually hate them) but I was pretty surprised to see Konerko not make the team. He's had a great first half, and now is going to have to "earn" a spot through the fan vote.

July 3rd, 2011 at 3:04 PM | Konerko has been very good (Score:1)
AAB
Joined: 01/14/2009
MGoPoints: 7196

but 1B is loaded at the moment.  I can't get mad that Adrian Gonzalez and Miggy got in over Konerko.  They've both had better years.  

There is no time, sir, at which ties do not matter.

July 3rd, 2011 at 2:56 PM | CC Sabathia (Score:1)
bigyellowtaxi
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The guy is tied for most wins in the American League (11), and has a 3.05 ERA with 106 strikeouts.

"Gentlemen, it is better to have died a small boy than to fumble this football." - John Heisman

July 3rd, 2011 at 3:08 PM | Yeah he has the advanced metrics (Score:1 Overrated)
AAB
Joined: 01/14/2009
MGoPoints: 7196

on his side as well.  2nd in WAR, good k/9 numbers, good FIP and xFIP numbers.  He definitely should have gotten in above Gio Gonzalez.  

There is no time, sir, at which ties do not matter.

July 3rd, 2011 at 4:10 PM | Gio Gonzalez (Score:2)
MH20
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He needed to get in as Oakland's representative.  Stupid "Everyone Gets A Ribbon For Participating" rule.

"The difference between a man and a boy is, a boy wants to grow up to be a fireman, but a man wants to grow up to be a giant monster fireman."

- Jack Handey

July 4th, 2011 at 2:56 PM | Gio has a sub 3 era. Its not (Score:1)
Rico616
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Joined: 07/01/2009
MGoPoints: 955

Gio has a sub 3 era. Its not his fault his team cant provide run support. I like CC but he wasnt going to play anyways as he pitches Sunday. Gio is deserving of his All Star spot.

July 3rd, 2011 at 2:58 PM | I'm surprised (and pleased) (Score:3 Normal)
jmblue
Joined: 11/07/2008
MGoPoints: 28971

I'm surprised (and pleased) that Avila ended up making it at catcher.  He was behind Russell Martin in the vote most of the way despite having vastly better numbers.

July 3rd, 2011 at 4:33 PM | posted from iPhone (Score:1)
h625
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Did Avila actually get more votes than Martin? Last I saw Alex was down by a good 400,000 votes.



Did the Michigan bots strike again?

July 3rd, 2011 at 4:45 PM | Avila ended up winning by about 500,000 votes (Score:2)
MH20
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Final vote tallies can be found here.

"The difference between a man and a boy is, a boy wants to grow up to be a fireman, but a man wants to grow up to be a giant monster fireman."

- Jack Handey

July 3rd, 2011 at 3:03 PM | Agree completely about Sabathia (Score:2 Normal)
kempalex13
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I think part of the reason he wasn't picked was because he's going to pitch the Sunday before the All-Star game and those pitchers can't pitch. He should still be recognized with a spot though. Another snub was Mark Teixeira. He's second in the MLB with 25 home runs and top 5 in the AL in RBIs. I'm glad the fans got it right and voted Avila ahead of Russell Martin.

Maize Rage class of '13

July 3rd, 2011 at 3:41 PM | Verlander (Score:2 Normal)
Wave83
Joined: 03/09/2011
MGoPoints: 544

I just read that Verlander will also be pitching on Sunday and therefore ineligible for the All-Star Game, but is on the squad anyway (as he deserves to be).  If that is the case (I don't have the Tiger rotation handy), I have a hard time seeing why they could use that excuse to keep Sabathia off the team. 

Of course, someone has to pitch or Selig might end the game after 6 innings.

July 3rd, 2011 at 4:01 PM | Selig (Score:2 Normal)
kempalex13
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Bud Selig is an idiot. It's sad that the most memorable All-Star game has been the 2002 contest that ended in a tie. MLB needs to take away the rule where every team needs to be represented.

As far as pitchers starting on Sunday, I think that Felix Hernandez is also starting on Sunday so that's probably not the reason Sabathia is not on the roster. It makes absolutely no sense.

Maize Rage class of '13

July 3rd, 2011 at 9:49 PM | It does seem contradictory (Score:1)
jmblue
Joined: 11/07/2008
MGoPoints: 28971

It does seem contradictory that on one hand, every team (even the bottom-feeders) has to be represented to give everyone a good show, and that no pitcher is ever supposed to pitch more than two innings, and yet on the other hand, the game decides home-field advantage in the World Series.  A bunch of late-inning reserves (often from non-contenders) often decides the game.

July 3rd, 2011 at 3:15 PM | I'm surprised that jhonny (Score:2 Normal)
Keeeeurt
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I'm surprised that jhonny peralta didn't make it but I am very happy to Avila made it as the starting catcher.

Me fail english thats unpossible!

July 3rd, 2011 at 4:04 PM | I still don't understand how (Score:3 Normal)
BrownJuggernaut
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I still don't understand how Jeter has been in the ASG the last few years. The fact that he won a gold glove...oh man, don't get me started.

Avatar is a reference to this. Go Blue!

July 3rd, 2011 at 5:04 PM | Because New York is the (Score:1)
MaizeAndBlueWahoo
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Because New York is the biggest city in the league.

"We've beaten Michigan the last four years.  So where's the threat?"

- Mark Dantonio

Blogging the Virginia Cavaliers at http://fromoldvirginia.blogspot.com/<

July 3rd, 2011 at 11:24 PM | That's ok (Score:2)
MichFan1997
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he can have his gold glove, the Yankees fans can keep thinking he's awesome at defense because he doesn't make errors, and I'll continue to watch singles bleed past Jeter than even an ordinary SS would turn into outs.

Follow me on Twitter @gfraley05

July 4th, 2011 at 2:49 AM | However Jeter does have 5 (Score:1)
Rico616
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However Jeter does have 5 rings. He'll take that.

July 4th, 2011 at 4:50 PM | And his 5 rings (Score:2)
MichFan1997
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proves that the 2011 version of Jeter deserves to be in the ASG or win a gold glove...how?

Follow me on Twitter @gfraley05

July 3rd, 2011 at 4:01 PM | Peralta and Tommy Hanson.  (Score:2 Normal)
stmccoy
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Peralta and Tommy Hanson.  Both deserved All-Star nods.  McCutchen obviously but was previously mentioned.  Jeter starting is a joke.  He has been terrible this year.

HELLO HEISMAN!

July 3rd, 2011 at 11:32 PM | I agree totally that Peralta (Score:1)
liam1231
Joined: 07/13/2009
MGoPoints: 190

I agree totally that Peralta deserves to be there in place of Jeter. The numbers don't lie, Peralta is well above Jeter...Yankee fans are funny, I think some of them still cast write-in votes for Graig Nettles.

“I would like to extend to you an invitation to the pants party.” — Brick Tamland 

July 3rd, 2011 at 11:33 PM | I could have (Score:2)
MichFan1997
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also lived with Asdrubal Cabrera as the SS. Him and Peralta have been the two best SS in the AL. Jeter is nowhere even close to that level of play.

Follow me on Twitter @gfraley05

July 3rd, 2011 at 4:12 PM | Can't believe Adam Dunn (Score:4 Normal)
Chester Copperpot
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Can't believe Adam Dunn didn't make it.

July 3rd, 2011 at 4:14 PM | Congrats to Avila.  (Score:2 Normal)
ixcuincle
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Congrats to Avila. 

July 3rd, 2011 at 4:15 PM | Jeter should do the honorable thing and bow out (Score:2)
MH20
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Maybe his injury (I forget what it was now, a calf?) will still be tender and force him to sit out the game, thus allowing someone deserving a chance to play...

...or even someone who is actually not having a season worse than their backup.

"The difference between a man and a boy is, a boy wants to grow up to be a fireman, but a man wants to grow up to be a giant monster fireman."

- Jack Handey

July 3rd, 2011 at 5:58 PM | It'd be nice (Score:1)
turtleboy
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if someone could finally come up with a way to reward the actual best position players in baseball. We had the All Star Game but that turned into a popularity contest with no end in sight, you could fall back on the Gold Glove for a while but that turned into a hitting contest, so someone invented the Fielding Bible and that instantly denigrated into a different hitting AND popularity contest. Where's the Butkus Award in Baseball? Why doesn't Tommy Lasorda come out with his "Best in Baseball" or some other similar award of standing? Every year I'm left with the feeling that any 5th grade kid with a card collection could put together a fantasy team and beat the All Stars and out field the Gold Glove winners with a bunch of efficient players who just don't commit errors or go cold for half the season.

How many times have you been on the freeway and had someone fly by you at 100 mph then end up 2 cars ahead of you at the off ramp? What's the point? -Mark Harmon

July 3rd, 2011 at 6:21 PM | How is Felix Hernadez on the (Score:1)
althegreat23
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How is Felix Hernadez on the team?/ he hasn't been the best pitcher on his team.

"A Michigan Man will coach a Michigan Team"

July 3rd, 2011 at 11:22 PM | yes (Score:3 Normal)
MichFan1997
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yes he has. King Felix is one of 6 pitchers in the AL with an FIP of under 3.00. None of the other 5 are Mariners.

Follow me on Twitter @gfraley05

July 4th, 2011 at 2:50 AM | King Felix is a beast. I (Score:1)
Rico616
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King Felix is a beast. I would love to have him on the Tigers staff.

July 3rd, 2011 at 10:20 PM | Vote Victor for the Final Vote!! (Score:1)
MH20
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Vote here!!

"The difference between a man and a boy is, a boy wants to grow up to be a fireman, but a man wants to grow up to be a giant monster fireman."

- Jack Handey

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