July 13, 2008
MLB Announced All Star Rosters
The Major League Baseball All Star Game, an annual traditional where the best and brightest of today's stars gather to celebrate their accomplishments will take place this year at
Two superb ballclubs will take the field to determine home-field advantage for the 2008 World Series.
American League:
SP Ervin Santana (ANA), 3B Chone Figgins (ANA),
RF Nick Markakis (BAL),
SP Daisuke Matsuzaka (BOS), CL Jonathan Papelbon (BOS), DH David Ortiz (BOS),
CL Bobby Jenks (CHA), C A.J. Pierzynski (CHA),
C Victor Martinez (CLE), CF Grady Sizemore (CLE),
3B Carlos Guillen (DET),
1B Billy Butler (KC),
SP Kevin Slowey (MIN), CL Joe Nathan (MIN), 1B Justin Morneau (MIN),
SP Joba Chamberlain (NYA), 3B Alex Rodriguez (NYA), 2B Robinson Cano (NYA),
CL Huston Street (OAK), SS Bobby Crosby (OAK),
CL J.J. Putz (SEA), RF Ichiro Suzuki (SEA),
LF Carl Crawford (TB),
SP Kevin Millwood (TEX), CL Joaquin Benoit (TEX), CF Josh Hamilton (TEX),
SP Roy Halladay (TOR).
National League:
CL Brandon Lyon (ARI), RF Justin Upton (ARI),
SP Rich Harden (CHN), MR Carlos Marmol (CHN), C Geovani Soto (CHN), CF Jim Edmonds (CHN), 1B Derrek Lee (CHN),
SP Johny Cueto (CIN), 1B Derek Anderson (CIN),
CL Manny Corpus (COL),
CL Takashi Saito (LA),
C Russel Martin (LA), RF Andre Ethier (LA),
LF Ryan Braun (MIL),
SP John Maine (NYM), SP Johan Santana (NYM), LF Ryan Church (NYM), SS Jose Reyes (NYM),
SP Kyle Kendrick (PHI), CL Brad Lidge (PHI), 2B Chase Utley,
1B Adrian Gonzalez (SD),
CL Brian Wilson (SF), 2B Ray Durham (SF),
1B Albert Pujols (STL), CF Rick Ankiel (STL),
SP Bartolo Colon (WAS), 3B Ryan Zimmerman (WAS).
A couple of interesting observations:
- Atlanta (48-47), Pittsburgh (48-47), Houston (42-53) and Florida (36-60) have no representative, but Washington (37-59) has two.
- All 14 American League teams are represented.
- SP Bartolo Colon (6-3, 2.24 ERA) is the only All Star to have changes teams this season after being claimed off waivers by Was from the Red Sox.
- The Chicago Cubs lead the rosters with five selections, followed by the Mets (4), Red Sox (3), Twins (3), Yankees (3), Rangers (3), and Phillies (3).
- First Time All Stars: E. Santana, K. Slowey, J. Chamberlain, D. Matsuzaka, J. Beonit, H. Street, J. Hamilton, B. Crosby, C. Figgins, N. Markakis, B. Butler, J. Cueto, R. Harden, J. Maine, K. Kendrick, B. Lyon, C. Marmol, M. Corpas, B. Wilson, R. Church, G. Soto, R. Zimmerman, J. Upton, R. Braun, A. Gonzalez, D. Anderson, R. Ankiel, and A. Either
- 3B Alex Rodriguez was named to his 12th All Star team, leaving him two behind C Ivan Rodriguez and one behind former teammate Ken Griffey, Jr. for most amongst active players. Since 1986, Cal Ripken, Jr. leads baseball with 16 appearances.