MLB All Star Rosters

[bigdog237]

I like Kemp and Victorino will replace Ibanez and Beltran. Sandoval deserves to be in

ibanez is going to start

[wayne1218]

Inge, Victorino get All-Star vote

Associated Press

NEW YORK -- Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino and Detroit Tigers third baseman Brandon Inge have been elected by fans to Tuesday's All-Star game in record-shattering voting exclusively on MLB.com, the official Web site of Major League Baseball, and the individual club sites.

Victorino received 15.6 million votes and was followed by San Francisco's Pablo Sandoval, Arizona's Mark Reynolds, the Los Angeles Dodgers' Matt Kemp and Washington's Cristian Guzman.

Inge got 11.8 million ballots, finishing ahead of Texas' Ian Kinsler, the Los Angeles Angels' Chone Figgins, Tampa Bays' Carlos Pena and Toronto's Adam Lind.

"To all the fans across the country, mahalo for your support," said Victorino, a native of Hawaii. "I am so honored and appreciative of the passion that everyone has shown to make this dream come true, especially with the number of votes cast. It's just unbelievable."

The Phillies went all-out to get Victorino selected to his first All-Star game. He went door-to-door in South Philadelphia with Mayor Michael A. Nutter to campaign for votes on Monday. Three fans in their early 20s won a radio station promotion and sat in the press box lounge for 52 straight hours clicking nonstop on their computers for their favorite player. Fans in the ballpark and people listening to the game on radio or watching on television were constantly reminded to "Vote for Shane."

Even Victorino's teammates joined in the campaign while playfully poking fun at the player known as the "Flyin' Hawaiian." After Victorino delivered the game-winning hit in the ninth inning Wednesday night, Chan Ho Park walked out of the bullpen wearing a two-sided billboard that read: "Vote Victorino."

[BigWeiner]

Brutal choices, who in their right mind wants to see those two jokers in an all star game

[BigMike]

Brutal choices, who in their right mind wants to see those two jokers in an all star game

You apparently have never seen Victorino play. The guy plays balls to the wall for 9 innings. Why shouldn't a guy like that make the All Stars?????

[wayne1218]

I really think Sandoval deserved this spot. I really do.

On the other side, it has to be Kinsler doesn't it?

I disagree with both i guess.

[poskid]

I love how people complain about the every team gets a representative rule. It's that way for the same reason that they give out participation trophies in little league or bicycle helmets for squirrels. It's a money grab. By allowing a rep from every team then every team's fans have a reason to watch the game. Whether us die-hard fans want to admit it or not. There are a group of fans out there that wouldnt watch the game unless their guy was there...

PK

[mavskidd02]

I love how people complain about the every team gets a representative rule. It's that way for the same reason that they give out participation trophies in little league or bicycle helmets for squirrels. It's a money grab. By allowing a rep from every team then every team's fans have a reason to watch the game. Whether us die-hard fans want to admit it or not. There are a group of fans out there that wouldnt watch the game unless their guy was there...

PK

That's a great point PK. But if the game is for ratings, and for participation, then it shouldn't count for anything. Especially something as big as the World Series. That's JMO.

[poskid]

That's a great point PK. But if the game is for ratings, and for participation, then it shouldn't count for anything. Especially something as big as the World Series. That's JMO.

Everything mass media'd is all about ratings and I tend to agree with you that not every team should get a rep. But if you remember what the games were like before they instituted the World series decider it was TORTURE to sit through!!! Now the players care about playing harder. And there is a lot less ducking. How many players stopped going to the game? Didnt Bonds skip like twice? I also think that a few other guys ducked the game too. I'm not happy about the rep rule but I'm very high on having an actual ball game to watch. However if you really want to think about how unfair it is for the the game to have meaning then think about it this way...At least both sides are hamstringed by the rule

PK

[mavskidd02]

I see what you mean PK, and there definitely are pros and cons. I just think it's stupid to say "this one counts", but not have the best players playing. I want to see guys who deserve to be there, rather than just be there because they play for a crappy team.

[poskid]

I see what you mean PK, and there definitely are pros and cons. I just think it's stupid to say "this one counts", but not have the best players playing. I want to see guys who deserve to be there, rather than just be there because they play for a crappy team.

And that's where I agree with you. I think the rule is stupid. I want the best players playing as well. My team has 3 players playing and personally I think it pretty crap that other pitchers made it in with much worse stats than a 4th player on my team.

Nick Blackburn
ERA 3.06 5th AL
IP 123.1 5th AL
QS 13 tied 4th AL
QS% 72% tied 8th AL
CG 3 Tied 2nd AL
Whip 1.28 19th AL

I think that's a pretty serious case for an all star bid personally...

Of course I think it would be much more of a crime if the other 3 hadnt gotten there as well. Mauer, Morneau and Nathan are slightly more deserving than Blacky but not by much

PK

[wayne1218]

Phils' Werth replaces Beltran for NL

ESPN.com news services

NEW YORK -- Jayson Werth's power push paid off.

As did Texas Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz's.

Fresh from homering for the fourth straight game, Philadelphia's Werth was picked for the NL All-Star team Friday as an outfield replacement for injured New York Mets center fielder Carlos Beltran

Cruz was selected to replace injured Los Angeles Angels center fielder Torii Hunter.

The defending World Series champion Phillies put three outfielders on the NL roster for Tuesday night's game in St. Louis. Left fielder Raul Ibanez was elected by fans to start and center fielder Shane Victorino won a spot in Internet voting for reserves.

It's the first time in 37 years that an NL team sent three outfielders to the All-Star Game -- Roberto Clemente, Willie Stargell and Al Oliver went for Pittsburgh in 1972.

"It's an honor to go with the guys that are going. It says a lot about the character of the guys on the team," Werth said. "It's going to be a great experience."

Overall, this is the 13th time overall that a team had three outfielders in an All-Star Game. The 1995 Cleveland Indians were the most recent to do it with Manny Ramirez, Albert Belle and Kenny Lofton.

Major League Baseball said Friday that Cruz was chosen because he received the next-highest number of votes for outfielders on the AL player ballot.

Cruz entered Friday batting .262 with 20 homers and 50 RBIs for the Rangers. It's the fifth-year player's first All-Star selection, and Cruz is the 27th first-time All-Star set to play next Tuesday in St. Louis.

Hunter has not played since Tuesday because of a strained abductor muscle.

Werth homered Thursday night as the NL East-leading Phillies beat Cincinnati 9-6. He is batting .268 with 20 home runs and 54 RBIs.

"His stats are definitely up there with the other guys," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel, who will guide the NL team, said after the win over the Reds. "He's been swinging the bat really good lately. He plays a good right field, has a strong arm. He's a talented kid."

Werth, Ibanez and Victorino are first-time All-Stars. Phillies second baseman Chase Utley was elected to start and first baseman Ryan Howard was selected as a reserve.

Beltran is on the disabled list because of a bone bruise below his right knee. He'll be re-examined during the All-Star break, and will have an MRI exam.

[wayne1218]

The fact that the AL can't even find 4 guys to compete in the derby is a JOKE!!!!!!!!!!

[poskid]

The fact that the AL can't even find 4 guys to compete in the derby is a JOKE!!!!!!!!!!

Morneau not deciding to defend is somewhat upsetting to me. I do however understand why he may not want to. Remember last year he won but all the accolades went to Josh Hamilton for his unbelievable show. In fact if I'm not mistaken the announcer who presented the trophy last year called him "Jason" Morneau. I'd also bet that if you asked the basic uninformed fan who won last year they would probably say Hamilton or be more likely to tell you Hamilton's pitcher's name. While Hamilton had that unbelivable first round Morneau did win according to the rules and then basically got snubbed. I dont think I would want to compete either after that. However immediately after Morneau's duck Mauer stepped in. Go "Baby Jesus"!!!

PK

[garth]

Here's my idea. We're going to have this game count for something right??

Okay, take the two managers with the best records at the time in their league (AL, NL). So for this year, Boston and LA, Francona and Torre...... These two guys. with the best records, have expectations of the World Series, and will want to WIN the game, so they can have home field advantage.

Let those two coaches PICK THE ENTIRE TEAM. They will want a team that can win, guys that can win, guys who want to win and guys who are capable of winning. Let the coaches pick those guys. You then have a pool of players who did not get chosen, and the fans get to vote in two players from each league who were left off.

If it's going to count for something, I think it should be taken seriously, and played as if it were a real game.

That's a good thought, Mavs. Here's an off-the-wall variation of that idea. Use some kind of format similar to those stupid reality show competitions like American Idol and Dancing with the Stars. Have some combination of coaches' informed votes and the popular vote.

[mavskidd02]

That's a good thought, Mavs. Here's an off-the-wall variation of that idea. Use some kind of format similar to those stupid reality show competitions like American Idol and Dancing with the Stars. Have some combination of coaches' informed votes and the popular vote.

Yeah something like that. Maybe have the coaches pick the starters, and then let the fans decide the rest of the team. I just think the coach's should have more say in this game than they do.