The Bits and Bites in Sports – MLB All-Star Edition

Wow. The last time I made a post on my blog, Manny Ramirez was not yet suspended, the Wizards were jockeying for the last place crown in the NBA and were terrible, and there were thousands of NFL mock drafts floating around the net.

Since then, 37-year-old Raul Ibanez has been “en fuego,” the Wizards (still terrible) and the Kings got picks outside the top three (which helps the Wiz but not the Kings), and Maryland’s own Darrius Heyward-Bey was picked NUMBER 7 overall in last month’s NFL draft.

First off, lemme get to the MLB All-Star Balloting. After two months, there are lots of surprises in who’s in for the All-Star game. Let’s start in the National League, since the game will take place in the Gateway City – St. Louis. With no surprise, Albert Pujols is leading all first basemen in votes with 1,240,395 – 713,230 votes ahead of Prince Fielder.

Likewise, Chase Utley is also winning the second base job by a large margin over Orlando Hudson. I find this surprising, since the lead between the two should be a lot less.

Based on the totals so far (as of May 30, 2009), Hudson has the better batting average, nearly double the amount of hits and more total bases. Otherwise, most of the other categories (Runs, RBI, Walks and Stolen Bases) are about the same. I would give the slightest of edges to Hudson.

For third base and shortstop, I see no complaints, other than the fact that Milwaukee Brewers fans (like Redskins fans a la 2008) are ballot stuffing. Otherwise, how are Rickie Weeks (out for season), Bill Hall, J.J. Hardy, Jason Kendall and Corey Hart in the top 10 of their positions? They are ALL having mediocre seasons, and thus shouldn’t even be in the top 10.

What also annoys me is that the Kendall and Pudge are 2 and 3 in voting for NL catchers. Both are veterans that are past their prime. To top it off, All-Star candidates Russell Martin and Brian McCann sit in fifth and sixth in voting – and they are having better seasons that either Pudge or Kendall.

Lastly in the NL are the outfielder positions. I agree that Ryan Braun – another Brewer – and Ibanez are 1-2 in the outfield. I disagree that Soriano is third and Manny – yeah, the same guy suspended for 50 games – is fifth. Soriano is having an off-year – and that could be because he’s having knee problems this month. This should be the order for the NL outfielders:

1. Braun

2. Ibanez

3. Beltran – All-Star-caliber season!

4. Shane Victorino

5. Matt Kemp – One of the main reasons the Dodgers are doing well w/o Manny

6. Adam Dunn

Now to the American League. I was listening to ESPN radio on Saturday afternoon, and I agreed with the commentator’s comments about the voting for the AL. First off, Morneau has better numbers than ALL three first basemen ahead of him – and he was AL MVP three years ago – something the top three first basemen haven’t done! Therefore, he should be starting in the All-Star game next month. I have no issues with the other infield slots – which Kinsler, Longoria, Jeter and Mauer are leading in their respective positions.

But I, once again have issues with the outfield voting. Currently, the top ten are as follows:

1. Jason Bay

2. Josh Hamilton

3. Ichiro Suzuki

4. Ken Griffey Jr.

5. Nick Markakis

6. Carl Crawford

7. Nelson Cruz

8. Grady Sizemore

9. Jacoby Ellsbury

10. Torii Hunter

I understand the history behind Hamilton, but this is not 2008! He has had a Disabled List stint, and has not put up All-Star numbers this season. The same goes with Sizemore, who is currently on the DL with left elbow inflammation. The year is 2009, not 1999, people, so why is Junior in the top five in voting? He’s doing horrible as a DH/outfielder compared to the rest of the top 10 outfielders. Markakis, Crawford and Hunter are having career years, and should definitely not be outside the top four.

So here’s my revamped AL outfielders list:

1. Bay
2. Crawford
3. Markakis
4. Suzuki
5. Hunter
6. Ellsbury
7. Hamilton
8. Cruz
9. Sizemore
10. Granderson

Now that is all said and done, here’s my revamped list for the All Star Game.

National League

Catcher: Yadier Molina

First Base: Albert Pujols

Second Base: Chase Utley

Third Base: David Wright

Shortstop: Hanley Ramirez

Outfield: Braun, Ibanez and Beltran

American League

Catcher: Joe Mauer

First Base: Justin Morneau

Second Base: Ian Kinsler

Third Base: Evan Longoria

Shortstop: Derek Jeter

Outfield: Bay, Crawford and Markakis

I hope these are the results come July 14!

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