Only one word can describe my attitude towards the players selected for the 2008 MLB All-Star Game in New York:
Disgust
.
Sure, we have 7 first time staters. That's great. However, it's the other choices that have made me want to vomit, as it has proved the ignorance of the fans and Major League Players and Managers.
Let's start with the AL. I am fine with Josh Hamilton starting in the Outfield, the man leads the Majors with 84 RBI's. That is 18 more than any other player in the Majors. Then you put him alongside Manny Ramirez and Ichiro Suzuki. Obviously, these 2 players got in strictly off popularity, as neither of them are putting up All-Star quality numbers. They are appearing in their 7th and 6th All-Star Games respectively. As for the infield, I see few problems. Rodriguez is arguably the best player in the game, and Dustin Pedroia is one of the best overall hitters in the AL. Kevin Youkilis is showing his All-Star potential with his hitting as well. Joe Mauer is the best hitting Catcher in the Majors as well. However, putting Derek Jeter in at SS (as much as I love him) is the wrong decision. He has a career low batting average (.274) at this point in the season, and is putting up numbers nowhere comparable to Texas' Michael Young. Jeter is more deserving of a reserve spot on this team. Also, voting in David Ortiz as DH is wrong as well. Even before Ortiz got hurt, his numbers were nothing spectacular. He will not play however, and a reserve will be chosen as DH.
That is the most lenient I will be, so get ready for a rage. Let's begin with the reserves. Jason Varitek was put on the team, while he has a .219 AVG.! This is pure bias from AL players, and I don't say that as a Yankee fan. In fact, it is the lowest batting average a player has had while being slected to an All-Star Game. Another problem I have with the reserves is that there is only 1 Tampa Bay Ray in Dioner Navarro. While Evan Longoria is a candidate for 30th Man, notables like Carl Crawford (.288 AVG.) and B.J. Upton were not even considered. Jermaine Dye has a .308 AVG. with 19 HR's, and he too was snubbed. However, himself, Jason Giambi, Brian Roberts, Evan Longoria, and Jose Guillen are all up for the Final Vote Category.
As for the pitching, I am relatively pleased. The biggest snub however is Mike Mussina. Mussina is tied with Cliff Lee (who will likely get the starting nod for the game) for second in the AL with 11 wins. Yet Francona leaves him off the team. Power to the Angels though, putting 3 pitchers on the squad. Saunders was the right pick for this All-Star team. Joakim Soria has established himself as a household name, and Mariano Rivera should find a spot in the game at Yankee Stadium. Overall though, Francona is a big disappointment with his selections in my mind.
Now to the NL.
As for the Starters, the fans
almost
got it right with this one. Voting in Alfonso Soriano would have been the right move if he hadn't been hurt all year. This is once again a display of popularity. Fukudome would have been better off as a reserve, but you have to give the guy credit. Ken Griffey Jr. had the lead for the third spot going into last week, but the fans pulled Ryan Braun ahead, thankfully doing the right thing. With the infield, there are no complaints. Hanley Ramirez may be the best SS in the league, and Chipper Jones is having a career year. Lance Berkman was hovering .400 at one point this year, so he locks of the spot at First while Chase Utley does the same with Second Base. The best pick in my mind was Geovany Soto, and man do I regret not drafting him on my fantasy team. The DH will be determined later, but will likely end up going to Albert Pujols. I disagree with this decision, as Adrian Gonzalez has already hit a home run in Yankee Stadium this year. He should get the nod in my mind.
The reserves are strong as well, with guys such as Dan Uggla and Miguel Tejada taking strong spots. Congrats to Ryan Ludwick, for sure having a career year for the Pirates. Same goes to Cristian Guzman, who barely escaped with a minor league deal a few seasons ago. Other strong forces such as the aforementioned Pujols and Gonzalez control the bench, and will sure find a spot in the game alongside Aramis Ramirez. The BIGGEST MISTAKE I see is NO RYAN HOWARD. The man is leading the National League in RBI's (76). How is he not on the roster? Another robbery I find here is no David Wright, as he is one of the most talented overall players in the game today. Wright is however a candidate for the Final Vote, as well as Pat Burrell, Corey Hart, and Aaron Rowand.
Pitching looks great for the National League as well. Tim Lincecum will likely receive the start from Manager Clint Hurdle. Backup is strong though, with Brandwon Webb and Dan Haren being strong backups. Edinson Volquez has been flawless this season, alongside Cubs Carlos Zambrano, Ryan Dempster, and Kerry Wood. Brad Lidge or Brian Wilson could get the closing spot in the game if necessary. Hurdle made nice selections in this category.
When it is all said and done, I believe this game will be a blowout this season. Who is the winner? My vote of confidence (despite my wish) goes to the National League. The bench is just so much more versitile than the AL's, and the pitching has no holes whatsoever. I could be wrong of course. But isn't that the point of being a journalist? Only time will tell.
You can vote for the "Final Vote" contestants on www.mlb.com.
The sixth-seeded Grand Rapids Rampage are making a run for the ArenaBowl as they have knocked off top-seeded Chicago Rush 58 to 41 to advance to the American Conference Championship Game, where they will play against the two-seeded San Jose Sabercats at HP Pavilion in San Jose next Saturday at 3:30 PM EST.
On Thursday July 3rd there was a 0-0 tie between the Houston Dynamo and Real Salt Like. There were 6 yellow cards given out that game plus a red card to Real Salt Lake's Chris Wingert for his involvement in a scrum between the two teams. The tie between the teams gave them each their 20th points of the season good for a tie for 3rd in the Western Conference.
It's over! After a seven-hour marathon, including rain delays, Rafael Nadal has ended Roger Federer's streak of 65 consecutive wins on grass in dramatic fashion!
Today is not a very beautiful day for tennis, but those in Wimbledon, England have witnessed a beautiful tennis match between tennis superstars Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. The match has just been called for a rain delay. As of right now, the match is at an even deadlock. Federer serves in the 5th set of the 5th game that stands at deuce; both Federer and Nadal have both won two games each in this 5th set.
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