Mid Summer Classic

I have always been a fan of baseball and in particular I have always loved watching the all-star game. Something about it has always been really cool to me. Each year, I am taken back to being a kid and remembering Dave Parker nailing a runner out at the plate with a laser beam of a throw from right field or Gary Carter hitting two home runs in Cleveland. I also love that fans get to vote for there favorite players. So, with the polls set to close in a little over a month I figured I would give you my ballot.

American League

1B Mike Sweeney, Royals – Hey the guy is hitting .315 with nine homers on a shit team. It is a close call over Tino Martinez of the Yanks but I have to vote for Sweeney.

2B Brian Roberts, Oriole’s – The guy is having an all world year hitting .377 with 11 homers. This is a no-brainer of a vote.

SS Miguel Tejada, Oriole’s – Hitting a robust .323 with 12 homers. This guy has been amazing ever since he put on the O’s jersey. Jeter gets a look but Tejada’s numbers are better.

3B Alex Rodriguez, Yankee’s – This one is a rout. The guy is hitting .324 with 17 home runs. While Inge and Mora are both having solid years there is no one more deserving at any position that A-Rod is this year.

C Jason Varitek, Red Sox - The guy is hitting .329 with 9 homers. Posada of the Yank’s and Mauer of the Twins also having good years but it’s hard to not vote in Varitek.

OF Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners – A true all star, who is hitting .324 plus he has 15 steals. Just pencil him in the game every year.

OF Johnny Damon, Red Sox – Having a great year in the leadoff spot for the Sox. Hitting .340 it is hard to look past that.

OF Gary Sheffield, Yankee’s – Hitting .318 with 7 homers. In a surprisingly weak field Sheffield ranks ahead of Podsednick of the White Sox with his 26 steals.

National League

1B Derek Lee, Cubs – Man, this is a tough one. Lee is hitting .340 with 12 homers and Pujos is hitting .332 with 11. They both have 39 RBI’s. I have to pick Lee because, he also has 8 SB’s and is a much better defensive player than Pujos.

2B Mark Grudzielanek, Cardinal’s – In a weak field Grudz’ is having the best year of the bunch. He’s hitting .321 with 3 homers. That is a little better than Biggio with his .298 and 8 homers.

SS Cesar Izturis, Dodger’s – A tough call between him and Barmes of the Rockie’s. Izturis is hitting .340 with only one dinger. However this guy is a gold glover. Barmes is hitting .341 with 7 homers but he is doing it at Coors and is sub-par with the glove.

3B David Wright, Mets – A close call in a tough 3 way battle. I like Wright with his .314-8-28 line a little better than Gluas at .273-13-35 and Chipper Jones at .331-7-23. Any of the three are worthy but since Jones has missed a lot of time I will give it to Wright.

C Ramon Hernandez, Padres – Not a real strong position and Hernandez seems to the best of a bad lot. Hitting .304 with 5 homers and 27 knocked in. Plus he calls a real good game. Lo Duca from the Marlins only real competition at .299 but only 2 homers.

OF Bobby Abreu, Phillies – The best player you’ve never heard of. Hitting .333 with 12 homers and 13 steals. Has a real chance to go 30-30 and plays a mean D.

OF Miguel Cabrera, Marlins – He’s only hitting .360 with nine bombs. He is scary good and only getting better. This guy better not make any golf plans in mid July anytime soon.

OF Pat Burrell, Phillies – Kind of a shocker but you can’t ignore .312-9-39 line. He is easily the NL comeback player of the year. Not much competition to challenge these three.