Inside the ballot: My AL All-Star team
Article By smcneal.tsn on 1st July, 2010
More: Stan McNeal's National League All-Star picks
There are three days until the 2010 All-Star rosters will be announced. You know what that means? Time to pick your team.
Guideline No. 1: It isn't always about the most deserving players. Because every team must be represented, some deserving players will miss the chance to play in Anaheim on July 13.
Elvis Andrus' glove should make him an All-Star at shortstop. Other guidelines:
• Fan voting, which closes tonight on mlb.com, determines the AL's starting nine and the NL's starting eight (no DH on the NL ballot).
• Players vote for backups at each position, five starting pitchers and three relievers.
• Managers Joe Girardi and Charlie Manuel fill out the rosters, which are comprised of 21 position players and 13 pitchers (including at least three relievers).
• A new wrinkle: Any starting pitcher who works on the Sunday before the game will not be eligible to pitch in the game. He still will be on the team and a replacement will be added to the roster. Add these last-minute pitchers and injury replacements (there will be a bunch this year) and the 34-man rosters could swell closer to 40.
Even with two fewer teams, picking the AL squad is tougher than the NL. Maybe that is what happens when there are more worthy position players and not as many pitchers.
My 34-man AL roster:
First base (4): Justin Morneau went into the last week of fans' voting needing to hold off Mark Teixeira for the start. Teixeira shouldn't even make the team considering his numbers and the depth at this position. And nobody should start ahead of Miguel Cabrera, who is hitting .337 with 20 homers and 68 RBIs. Paul Konerko, Kevin Youkilis and Billy Butler all have put up worthy numbers, but Butler loses out because only one Royal makes my team.
Second base (2): Robinson Cano leads the majors in hit...
Read Complete Article at Latest Sporting News Articles for MLB
There are three days until the 2010 All-Star rosters will be announced. You know what that means? Time to pick your team.
Guideline No. 1: It isn't always about the most deserving players. Because every team must be represented, some deserving players will miss the chance to play in Anaheim on July 13.
Elvis Andrus' glove should make him an All-Star at shortstop. Other guidelines:
• Fan voting, which closes tonight on mlb.com, determines the AL's starting nine and the NL's starting eight (no DH on the NL ballot).
• Players vote for backups at each position, five starting pitchers and three relievers.
• Managers Joe Girardi and Charlie Manuel fill out the rosters, which are comprised of 21 position players and 13 pitchers (including at least three relievers).
• A new wrinkle: Any starting pitcher who works on the Sunday before the game will not be eligible to pitch in the game. He still will be on the team and a replacement will be added to the roster. Add these last-minute pitchers and injury replacements (there will be a bunch this year) and the 34-man rosters could swell closer to 40.
Even with two fewer teams, picking the AL squad is tougher than the NL. Maybe that is what happens when there are more worthy position players and not as many pitchers.
My 34-man AL roster:
First base (4): Justin Morneau went into the last week of fans' voting needing to hold off Mark Teixeira for the start. Teixeira shouldn't even make the team considering his numbers and the depth at this position. And nobody should start ahead of Miguel Cabrera, who is hitting .337 with 20 homers and 68 RBIs. Paul Konerko, Kevin Youkilis and Billy Butler all have put up worthy numbers, but Butler loses out because only one Royal makes my team.
Second base (2): Robinson Cano leads the majors in hit...
Read Complete Article at Latest Sporting News Articles for MLB
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