OT: MLB All-Star Rosters Announced

Submitted by AAB on

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?

Jedelman11

July 3rd, 2011 at 2:55 PM ^

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.

Rico616

July 4th, 2011 at 2:56 PM ^

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.

jmblue

July 3rd, 2011 at 2:58 PM ^

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.

kempalex13

July 3rd, 2011 at 3:03 PM ^

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.

Wave83

July 3rd, 2011 at 3:41 PM ^

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.

kempalex13

July 3rd, 2011 at 4:01 PM ^

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.

jmblue

July 3rd, 2011 at 9:49 PM ^

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.

mdm87

July 3rd, 2011 at 4:00 PM ^

If you go by WAR, Jeter is actually the 13th best short stop in the AL this year. I agree on Andrew McCutchen being the biggest snub. He's been a top five player in all of baseball this year. Dustin Pedroia should've made it this year too over Cano. I was actually surprised that some deserving Yankees and Red Sox players didn't make it in this year in favor of some non-deserving guys from those teams. How do Derek Jeter and Robinson Cano get spots but C.C. Sabathia and Mark Teixeira get snubbed? I think this year is the first year I can remember when more Red Sox deserved to go than were selected. I'm glad Alex Avila made it in past Russell Martin. Avila has been a full win better this year.

stmccoy

July 3rd, 2011 at 4:01 PM ^

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.

MH20

July 3rd, 2011 at 4:15 PM ^

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.

turtleboy

July 3rd, 2011 at 5:58 PM ^

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.