2007 All-Star Game: Immediate reactions to the choices
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by user Wizardman
As I'm watching the all-star game nominations, I'm posting my reactions.
AL Hitters: Ivan Rodriguez, still not sure how he won the fan vote when he's the 4th best catcher in the AL. David Ortiz, Placido Polanco, Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Vladimir Guerrero, Magglio Ordonez, Ichiro.
So for starters Pudge is my only problem, as stated they did pretty well. How are the reserves though? Backup catchers Posada and Martinez were great choices and deserve it. It's a shame Mauer was overlooked, but I wouldn't knock off those two to put him in. Morneau is of course deserving at first. Brian Roberts was a surprise choice fr me at second base.
I would have put Pedroia in first, but Roberts isn't a bad option, plus Baltimore has to have one person in the game, so why not him? As for third base, like I said, very weak this year, so Lowell in a reserve is acceptable. Shortstop is an interesting choice. Carlos Guillen of course deserves it, Michael Young has struggled a bit this year, but he works.
Now, the outfield. Of course Carl Crawford's in as a reserve. Alex Rios didn't quite feel like an all-star candidate this year to me, but every team's gotta have a candidate. Ramirez, Hunter, and Sizemore were obvious reserves as well.
Now, the whole "every team must be represented" thing looks a lot worse when I look at this. Most notably, Orlando Cabrera being left off I didn't care for, he needed to be on there. Joe Mauer as well should've been on. That's really it though, this wasn't all that bad. Given the fact that Rios and Young have to be in there, I'll let it slide. People are saying that Sheff's missing from it, but who do you take out for him? No one.
AL Pitchers: Josh Beckett, C.C. Sabathia, Haren, Lackey, Justin Verlander. five obvious starters. Santana's been finally catching on fire and you have to love his low ERA, and Meche's the best guy on the Royals with his 3.28 ERA, so this works. As for the reserves, I actually think they should have a spot designated for a setup man, since there are a couple that have been amazing this season, but they never get recognition because of their role.
Does this mean Rafael Betancourt and his 1.27 ERA should be in? Maybe, maybe not. There may be an even better bullpen guy then that, but allow them in please. Ranting aside, the closers chosen (i'm not calling it bullpen) were Papelbon, Francisco Rodriguez, Putz, and Jenks.
Again, Jenks represents CWS who have no one else, Rodriguez is my only personal question mark, but there's no one off the top of my head i would put in his place. I mean, I would replace him if I could add in a setup guy, but he's not undeserving of the spot. Overall it's good. Was Guthrie deserving of a spot? The question is would you take Santana out to add Guthrie in. I personally wouldn't.
NL Hitters: Well, we'll start with the starters. Russell Martin, Fielder, Chase Utley, Wright, Reyes, Beltran, Griffey, Bonds. Looks pretty good to me.
Unlike the AL, Catcher isn't deep at all, so Martin's good. Is Bonds better than Soriano, fans? I dunno about that. I guess it's alright.
As for the backups, Brian McCann's the obvious backup catcher choice. Albert Pujols, Derrek Lee, and Dmitri Young are the other first basemen. Must better choices then they looked on the surfaces, I'm fine with them after I looked at the stats. Freddy Sanchez at second works, and so does Orlando Hudson. At third, we got Miguel Cabrera of course, and at short is J.J. Hardy.
Soriano, Carlos Lee, Holliday, and Rowand make up the outfield. Now, where is Ryan Howard? Granted, you can't take anyone off. However, there is one absolute replacement I would make: Take J.J. Hardy out, add Jimmy Rollins in.
NL Pitchers: Francisco Cordero, Brian Fuentes, Hamels, Hoffman, Peavy, Penny, Saito, Sheets, Smoltz, Valverde, and Wagner are the names. I like the closers, even though I know little about them, their stats are nice. Peavy and Penny are the obvious top two. Smoltz, Sheets, and Hamels work as well.
I'm a bit iffy on Fuentes, but again, Colorado needs someone in. The main person I think is missing here is Chris Young of San Diego. Certainly he should be in the all-star game just as much as Peavy. Again though, you do you get rid of? I'm gonna say Chad Cordero actually. He's playing well, but not quite as well as I'd like from an all-star.
So, I don't follow the NL Often, but they made a lot more mistakes then the AL did with the reserves I think. Looks like the AL's gonna win again.
