Recapping The MLB All-Star Selections

So, the All-Star votes are in. Here's a quick look at the players who will participate in the game July 15 at Yankee Stadium in New York, NY:

AMERICAN LEAGUE
Pos - Starter (Team); - Resverves
C: Joe Mauer (MIN); Jason Varitek (BOS), Dioner Navarro (TB)
1B: Kevin Youkilis (BOS); Justin Morneau (MIN)
2B: Dustin Pedroia (BOS); Ian Kinsler (TEX)
SS: Derek Jeter (NYY); Michael Young (TEX)
3B: Alex Rodriguez (NYY); Joe Crede (CWS), Carlos Guillen (DET)
LF: Manny Ramirez (BOS); Carlos Quentin (CWS)
CF: Josh Hamilton (TEX); Grady Sizemore (CLE)
RF: Ichiro Suzuki (SEA); J.D. Drew (BOS)
DH: David Ortiz (BOS); Milton Bradley (TEX)
Pitchers: Justin Duchscherer (OAK), Roy Halladay (TOR), Scott Kazmir (TB), Cliff Lee (CLE), Joe Nathan (MIN), Jonathan Papelbon (BOS), Mariano Rivera (NYY) Francisco Rodriguez (LAA), Ervin Santana (LAA), Joe Saunders (LAA), George Sherrill (BAL), Joakim Soria (KC)
Vote-In Participant: Evan Longoria, 3B, TB
Injured: David Ortiz





NATIONAL LEAGUE
Pos - Starter (Team); - Resverves
C: Geovany Soto (CHC); Russell Martin (LAD), Brian McCann (ATL)
1B: Lance Berkaman (HOU); Albert Pujols (STL), Adrian Gonzalez (SD)
2B: Chase Utley (PHI); Dan Uggla (FLA)
SS: Hanley Ramirez (FLA); Christian Guzman (WSH), Miguel Tejada (HOU)
3B: Chipper Jones (ATL); Aramis Ramirez (CHC)
LF: Ryan Braun (MIL); Corey Hart (MIL)
CF: Kosuke Fukudome (CHC); Nate McLouth (PIT)
RF: Matt Holliday (COL); Ryan Ludwick (STL)
Pitchers: Aaron Cook (COL), Ryan Dempster (CHC), Dan Haren (ARZ), Brad Lidge (PHI), Tim Lincecum (SF), Ben Sheets (MIL), Edinson Volquez (CIN), Billy Wagner (NYM), Brandon Webb (ARZ), Brian Wilson (SF), Kerry Wood (CHC), Carlos Zambrano (CHC)
Vote-In Participant: Corey Hart, OF, MIL
Injured: Alfonso Soriano



First off, I find it ridiculous that people outside of the Americas can vote for All-Stars. Japan votes more than we do, it seems, when they don't even know who Albert Pujols or Derek Jeter is. Ichiro should not be starting, nor should Fukudome. Ludwick, McLouth, and J.D. Drew are far more deserving candidates. Both Japanese players should be on the Vote-In Ballot.

Secondly, I feel that the number of votes a player gets should not decide whether he starts or not. That decision should be that of the manager's. Why have 5 managers per team if they only can decide what happens during the game. Players like Manny Ramirez, Fukudome, Ichiro, and Dustin Pedroia all shouldn't be starting, but are because they got the most votes. Look, just because they're popular players doesn't mean they should start. Managers should decide who starts and sits.


Disagree with those players named?

Manny Ramirez: .289avg, 17hr, 59rbi, 55r Carlos Quentin: .284avg, 21hr, 65rbi, 60r

Kosuke Fukudome: .282avg, 7hr, 36rbi, 59r Nate McLouth: .286avg, 17hr, 60rbi, 64r

Ichiro Suzuki: .305avg, 3hr, 21rbi, 62r J.D. Drew: .298avg, 16hr, 53rbi, 61r

Dustin Pedroia: .313avg, 9hr, 44rbi, 65r Ian Kinsler: .335avg, 14hr, 53rbi, 81r, 23sb

My biggest dispute, however, is Boston catcher Jason Varitek. Yeah, yeah, I know he's one of the smartest catchers in the game, with regards to calling pitches and handling situations. But seriously, how can a guy batting .217 with just 7hr, 28rbi, and 19r get voted in, let alone the fact he got more votes than young star Dioner Navarro (.308avg, 4hr, 35rbi, 25r). My biggest beef about Varitek is that the players voted him in! WHY? The guy hasn't had an All-Star season in three years, and is washed up. Varitek's ranks among AL Catchers: AVG-26th, HR-8th, RBI-10th, R-14th, SO-1st, OBP-26th. Maybe he's a smart catcher, but he's definitely one of the least productive. I thought I was actually generous by only comparing him to the rest of the AL.

Predicted Starters: (NL) Brandon Webb, Arizona vs. (AL) Joe Saunders, Los Angeles Angels

The skinny: The NL has an advantage here. They have more firepower in their starting lineup, and I think they'll pick up a big lead early. But the AL has better closing pitching, and if they can grab hold of a lead late in the game, the Americans should be able to win.

Predicted Score: National League 7, American League 6

Predicted MVP: Dan Uggla, 2B, Florida Marlins

*All stats, records, etc. courtesy of http://www.mlb.com/ ; all stats as accurate as of 7/10 12:00pm.