2008 MLB All-Star Rosters
July 7th 2008 02:13
This afternoon the rosters were announced for the midsummer classic and for the first time in a long time the voting wasn't based on a popularity contest. Each player selected to start, with the exception of Cubs outfielder Kosuke Fukudome, deserves to represent their leagues. Fukudome is only batting .287 with seven home runs and 35 RBIs so he shouldn't be on the National League roster.
Astros shortstop Miguel Tejada and Pirates outfielder Nate McLouth are two others players selected but have struggled since the end of May and probably should be left off the roster. After a fast start to the season, both Tejada and McLouth are batting under .220 McLouth since May 31. McLouth is the lone representative for the Pirates so I would add Xavier Nady (.321 BA, 12 HR, 53 RBI) to the roster and add Cubs shortstop Ryan Theriot (.313 BA, 23 RBI) to replace Tejada.
On the American League roster, White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski should have been selected over Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek but Pierzynski supposely has not been liked y his peers so that might be the reason the players voted Varitek over the White Sox catcher. Also White Sox third baseman Joe Crede started the season strong but is only batting .261 with 15 home runs and 47 RBIs so Tigers outfielder Magglio Ordonez (.307, 12 HR, 50 RBI) could have replaced his former teammate.
All 12 pitchers selected to both rosters deserve to be on each team. Cardinals' Kyle Lohse (10-2, 3.61 ERA) and Phillies' Cole Hamels (9-5, 3.22 ERA) are having great seasons but there isn't one pitcher that should be replaced by Lohse or Hamels. Yankees' Mike Mussina (11-6, 3.64 ERA), White Sox's Gavin Floyd (10-4, 3.22 ERA) and Dice-K (9-1, 3.12 ERA) had great first halves but you can't leave Scott Kazmir, Cliff Lee, Joe Saunders and Roy Halladay off the roster. The only pitcher could possibly be left off the roster is Ervin Santana because he has struggled as of late.
The American League has the slight advantage going into the All-Star Game but the National League has young stars that could end the dominane of the American League. Both rosters are full of deserving players and the small and big markets are very well represented.
Astros shortstop Miguel Tejada and Pirates outfielder Nate McLouth are two others players selected but have struggled since the end of May and probably should be left off the roster. After a fast start to the season, both Tejada and McLouth are batting under .220 McLouth since May 31. McLouth is the lone representative for the Pirates so I would add Xavier Nady (.321 BA, 12 HR, 53 RBI) to the roster and add Cubs shortstop Ryan Theriot (.313 BA, 23 RBI) to replace Tejada.
On the American League roster, White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski should have been selected over Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek but Pierzynski supposely has not been liked y his peers so that might be the reason the players voted Varitek over the White Sox catcher. Also White Sox third baseman Joe Crede started the season strong but is only batting .261 with 15 home runs and 47 RBIs so Tigers outfielder Magglio Ordonez (.307, 12 HR, 50 RBI) could have replaced his former teammate.
All 12 pitchers selected to both rosters deserve to be on each team. Cardinals' Kyle Lohse (10-2, 3.61 ERA) and Phillies' Cole Hamels (9-5, 3.22 ERA) are having great seasons but there isn't one pitcher that should be replaced by Lohse or Hamels. Yankees' Mike Mussina (11-6, 3.64 ERA), White Sox's Gavin Floyd (10-4, 3.22 ERA) and Dice-K (9-1, 3.12 ERA) had great first halves but you can't leave Scott Kazmir, Cliff Lee, Joe Saunders and Roy Halladay off the roster. The only pitcher could possibly be left off the roster is Ervin Santana because he has struggled as of late.
The American League has the slight advantage going into the All-Star Game but the National League has young stars that could end the dominane of the American League. Both rosters are full of deserving players and the small and big markets are very well represented.
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