My wife and I went to the mall the other day, and needless to say I had no real purpose in being there other than my obligation as a husband. She went shopping with a friend, so I wandered aimlessly through the mall for about 40 minutes, being reminded of why I hate shopping establishments such as these. I dislike teen fashion, get sick of seeing single dudes gawk at chicks they have no shot with, and very much hate that at age 29 I feel old walking into any store. I did happen to stop at a few sports clothing stores, you know, the kind where they sell jerseys, but that experience just left me more angry and bitter. What’s up with the new baseball jerseys? They’ve cut costs by reducing the actual stitching on the replica jerseys by using some garbage single-layer vinyl “patch” instead of the traditional stitched patches. Yes, even REPLICA jerseys used to have stitched patches. Anyone rocking a football or basketball jersey they purchased from Sports Authority or Foot Locker within the last two years knows what I’m talking about. Anyway, I did find one thing at the mall that made me happy — a 2009 Major League Baseball All-Star Ballot. And it was FREE. Woo-hoo.
We’re still a month away from the game, but here are my selections for the ASG. This is based upon who DESERVES to be starting.
CATCHER
I like Joe Mauer and Benjie Molina, but I have a sneaking suspicion Brian McCann is going to get voted as the starting catcher for the NL.
FIRST BASE
Justin Morneau and Adrian Gonzalez have been two of the best players in the entire game this year, but we all know Gonzo will lose to hometown hero and baseball icon Albert Pujols. Can’t blame anyone, because Pujols has been good too, just too bad for Gonzalez.
SECOND BASE
Oddly enough second base has been pretty good this year. Dustin Pedroia and Rickie Weeks are having solid years — too bad about Weeks’ injury — but there is no debate about your starters here. Ian Kinsler and Chase Utley have proven they deserve to be starters in this game.
SHORTSTOP
Jason Bartlett should be starting this game for the American League, but we all know Derek Jeter was crowned the starter as soon as the season began. Truth be told, Jeter is having a fine season as well, and Bartlett’s recent injury trouble almost make this discussion moot. Hanley Ramirez should be the NL starter, although the popularity contest aspect may make Jimmy Rollins a factor.
THIRD BASE
Evan Longoria will be the starting third baseman for the AL baring some injury. The debate, I think, is in the National League. David Wright, a huge fan favorite, will likely run away with the voting, but Ryan Zimmerman has slightly outplayed Wright. Statistically they are similar this year — although Zimmerman has FOUR times as many home runs. Voters should consider Zimmerman’s hitting streak, the lineup around him and the park in which he plays.
OUTFIELD
This is the position where real All-Stars are going to get screwed by voters who decide to select their favorite players. Jason Bay, Torii Hunter and Adam Jones deserve to be starting for the AL. Ryan Braun, Justin Upton and Raul Ibanez should be there for the NL. When things are all said and done, we’ll probably be looking at Grady Sizemore and Josh Hamilton in the AL outfield, and Manny Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano in the NL outfield. Stupid voters.
Want to cast your own vote? Check out MLB’s ONLINE voting.
