MLB

MLB All Stars Announced: Where Are The Snubs?

Will Leitch made a really great point about the MLB All-Star selections on Twitter shortly after the rosters were announced earlier this afternoon: “Everyone complains about All-Star snubs AND that there are too many players on the All-Star team. That’s the fun of it, I guess?”

The rosters for next week’s game were broadcast live on TBS just before the afternoon games kicked off on this Fourth of July. Charlie Manuel and Joe Girardi look to have some great, fan-selected squads to handle in Anaheim when the best all-star game in all of sports gets going on July 13th (seriously, deny that). Your starters for each of the teams will be:

American League
1B – Justin Morneau, Twins
2B – Robinson Cano, Yankees
SS – Derek Jeter, Yankees
3B – Evan Longoria, Rays
C – Joe Mauer, Twins
OF – Josh Hamilton, Rangers
OF – Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners
OF – Carl Crawford, Rays
DH – Vladimir Guerrero, Rangers

National League
1B – Albert Pujols, Cardinals
2B – Chase Utley, Phillies
SS – Hanley Ramirez, Marlins
3B – David Wright, Mets
C – Yadier Molina, Cardinals
OF – Ryan Braun, Brewers
OF – Andre Ethier, Dodgers
OF – Jason Heyward, Braves

For the first time in recent memory, you don’t have a single Boston player as a starter (likely because of Robinson Cano’s killer start to the season overshadowed Dustin Pedroia, as well as a lack of any outfield star power from the Sox that would displace some of the regulars like Ichiro).

The selections would never be without complete controversy, though, and one of the biggest sources of consternation is that every team is guaranteed a selection. This includes things like Matt Capps getting a nod as the Nationals representative, and Marlon Byrd getting in for the Cubs. With each of those selections, there’s usually a few guys who gets left out, and probably the most surprising name not on the list is Reds first baseman, Joey Votto. Votto is a major reason (along with Scott Rolen‘s resurgence) that the Reds offense has paced its way to the top of the National League (surprising most). You’ll likely see Votto make his way in through either the MLB final vote or a special selection from Manuel when someone calls out injured. Also not selected? Kevin Youkilis, who really could be a sleeper MVP candidate in the AL given that he’s carried the Sox through more injuries than I’d like to count.

The MLB All-Star Game is definitely a personal favorite annual sporting event of mine (more on that later this month), and while it’s entertaining to sort through these rosters, we now turn our attention to Manuel and Girardi as they announce the starters. Charlie, do the city of Washington a favor and pick Stephen Strasburg?