ok i recently saw an "anti-all star team" even though it probably should've been titled the all-scrub team... but that's neither here nor there...anyways what it really did was get me thinking what an all-star team made up of guys who seem like they have a case for all-star glory.... especially when Varitek and Lowell deserve the All-Star Honor... that boggles my mind... but hey so as long as i dont pick a guy like Varitek i Should be safe. Heres my all-snub team:: i made a rather unusual 25 man roster... but here goes::
Starting Lineup
1. 2B- Brian Roberts. hes putting up a respectable all star year for a 2B.... hitting almost .300 more than a handful of homers... hes a productive guy right? oh yea and he has 25 SB... hello leadoff hitter of the ALL-SNUBS.
2. SS- Jose Reyes- Say what you will about his attitude but his numbers clearly show hes an elite SS.. and needs to be in the all star game way more than Tejada.
3. LF- Carlos Lee. he's driving in everyone and taking full advantage of not being pitched around because of Berkmans awesome year
4. RF-
Pat Burrell. 1.003 OPS and 22 Homers... i think i said enough
5. 1B- Mark Teixera. 17 HR 67 RBI.. he is having by most standards an all star year... unfortunately, 1B is an extremely talented position in the NL... seemingly all the guys not named chipper having good years are first baseman.
6. DH- Break out the Stache's for
Jason Giambi. His stats look like it's 2002 since he hit rock bottom in May.
7. CF-
Jermaine Dye. I know hes not a centerfielder but it's my team and hes got solid numbers
8. 3B-
Evan Longoria. The kid's for real... and pending an explosion from a rookie pitcher in the second half... he may be the unanimous rookie of the year... get him on the all star team with those votes... hes like
Mike Lowell if
Mike Lowell could hit when he wasn't in Fenway and was 10 years younger.
9. C-
Ryan Doumit. the Pirates catcher is having a career year but wheres his all-star love? .320 BA.with 11 homers.... i found my All-Snub Catcher
Reserves
OF- a little love for the injured
Johnny Damon right here. He's had a solid year up until he got hurt.
OF-
Xavier Nady. How can you not love his sort of production... its Paul O'Neill esque.
OF-
Jacoby Ellsbury and his AL leading 35 stolen bases... can also give me some MUCH NEEDED defense in the outfield... he's my only real centerfielder.
3B- David Wright. Always a proven and solid player time and time again and 70 RBIs cant lie.
SS- J.J. Hardy. AND not because we share the same nickname and initials(which is pretty sweet.. I'll admit it) but because this guy produces.. and has produced better than tejada this year
2B-
Brandon Phillips. great player... hes just unfortunately in a logjam behind Uggla and Utley... but hes definitely worthy of the All-Snubs
STARTING PITCHERS
Mike Mussina. I did what others couldnt and i gave the old man a break and put him on the team... hes having a very solid year. and the games at his homefield... so I'm starting him
Cole Hamels. if Mussina wasnt an obvious choice to be an all-snub... this is a close second... hes a lights out pitcher.
CC Sabathia. Strikeouts and innings Galore... been his usual all-star self after a terrible April... I'll take him... just like the Brew crew did
Kyle Lohse. on a staff where most of the pitchers are injured. hes giving the Cards two things... wins and hope. 10-2 record?... he makes the cut
Johan Santana...How can I not take a guy with a sub 3 ERA and pitching in NY?? even though his record doesnt show dominance and is not having a Johan quality year...I'm gonna call this a legacy pick.
John Lester. I hate the red sox... but this kid can pitch... and he's doing it in by far the toughest division in all of baseball. he threw a no hitter this year too... welcome to the All-Snubs Mr. Lester.
Bullpen
with only 3 blown saves and a sub 3 ERA...
Brandon Lyon iss putting up better numbers than other all star relievers.. so he makes the cut for the all-snubs
Bobby Jenks and his 1.95 ERA.... makes it and he might close it out for me
B.J. Ryan... hes 16 for 18 and is a lefty.... I need one in my pen so he might as well be a shutdown closer too
Troy Percival... the guys proven he can still do it... regardless of if hes been hurt.. he's the closer for the team with the best record in baseball. sidebar:: he's also the only pitcher named to the All-Snub bullpen without a first name that starts with the letter B
granted... I might have made this swing in my favor a little by having quite a large bench and a small bullpen but whatever... its an allstar game.... I'd like to see my All-Snub team play... i think these boys can take the real All-Stars