This time, my All-Star ballot counts.
My All-Star choices reflect a combination of first-half performance and lifetime achievement. To avoid selecting a first-half fluke whose performance collapses after June, I also value the sustained excellence of players over their career. On the other hand, some early performances just demand inclusion.
American League
1B Paul Konerko, White Sox -- .337/.415/.561. It's not close.
2B Robinson Cano, Yankees -- .305/.368/.573. Beginning to make a Hall of Fame case.
SS Asdrubal Cabrera, Indians -- .292/.373/.487. He has assumed the mantle of AL's best shortstop.
3B Miguel Cabrera, Tigers -- .309/.367/.537. With a logjam at this position, Cabrera's lifetime achievements provide greater confidence than the first-half performances of KC's Mike Moustakas and Toronto's Brett Lawrie. Adrian Beltre has similar numbers, but is aided by The Ballpark in Arlington.
C Joe Mauer, Twins -- .324/.415/.439. The power outage is disconcerting, but he still gets on base. Chicago's AJ Pierczynski and Boston's Saltalamacchia are also reasonable options.
OF Josh Hamilton, Rangers -- .316/.384/.614. He also flashes leather and leaps tall buildings.
OF Mike Trout, Angels -- .342/.398/.535, 22 of 25 steals. Should be the first of many for this spectacular rookie CF.
OF Jose Bautista, Blue Jays -- .238/.356/.550. You hate the batting average, but Joey Bats does everything else and could win a third straight home run crown.
DH David Ortiz, Red Sox -- .307/.396/.621. Big Papi not done; getting it done.
National League
1B Joey Votto, Reds -- .354/.476/.639. He's on pace for 70 doubles and an MVP.
2B Aaron Hill, Diamondbacks, -- .302/.363/.520. Slim pickings at the keystone vaults Hill over Astro phenom Jose Altuve.
SS Jed Lowrie, Astros-- .261/.349/.490. Who knew?
3B David Wright, Mets-- .359/.452/.570. The Mets are preparing to rent a Brinks truck and back it into Wright's driveway.
C Carlos Ruiz, Phillies -- .361/.427/.578. Cards' Molina and Giants Posey are legitimate choices here too.
OF Matt Kemp, Dodgers -- .355/.444/.719. The best player in the NL is on the DL, but his selection recognizes him and allows another player to enjoy the honor.
OF Andrew McCutcheon, Pirates -- .344/.399/.594. "Spectacular" is his middle name. (Along with "Stefan".)
OF Ryan Braun, Brewers -- .310/.390/.590. Maybe he didn't need steroids after all.
(OF Replacement for Kemp) Carlos Beltran, Cardinals -- .312/.402/.585. Albert who?
Quirk of the season: The18 selections represent 18 different teams. That's just the way it worked out.
For starting pitchers, how about Justin Verlander and R.A. Dickey. Awesome.
b
My All-Star choices reflect a combination of first-half performance and lifetime achievement. To avoid selecting a first-half fluke whose performance collapses after June, I also value the sustained excellence of players over their career. On the other hand, some early performances just demand inclusion.
American League
1B Paul Konerko, White Sox -- .337/.415/.561. It's not close.
2B Robinson Cano, Yankees -- .305/.368/.573. Beginning to make a Hall of Fame case.
SS Asdrubal Cabrera, Indians -- .292/.373/.487. He has assumed the mantle of AL's best shortstop.
3B Miguel Cabrera, Tigers -- .309/.367/.537. With a logjam at this position, Cabrera's lifetime achievements provide greater confidence than the first-half performances of KC's Mike Moustakas and Toronto's Brett Lawrie. Adrian Beltre has similar numbers, but is aided by The Ballpark in Arlington.
C Joe Mauer, Twins -- .324/.415/.439. The power outage is disconcerting, but he still gets on base. Chicago's AJ Pierczynski and Boston's Saltalamacchia are also reasonable options.
OF Josh Hamilton, Rangers -- .316/.384/.614. He also flashes leather and leaps tall buildings.
OF Mike Trout, Angels -- .342/.398/.535, 22 of 25 steals. Should be the first of many for this spectacular rookie CF.
OF Jose Bautista, Blue Jays -- .238/.356/.550. You hate the batting average, but Joey Bats does everything else and could win a third straight home run crown.
DH David Ortiz, Red Sox -- .307/.396/.621. Big Papi not done; getting it done.
National League
1B Joey Votto, Reds -- .354/.476/.639. He's on pace for 70 doubles and an MVP.
2B Aaron Hill, Diamondbacks, -- .302/.363/.520. Slim pickings at the keystone vaults Hill over Astro phenom Jose Altuve.
SS Jed Lowrie, Astros-- .261/.349/.490. Who knew?
3B David Wright, Mets-- .359/.452/.570. The Mets are preparing to rent a Brinks truck and back it into Wright's driveway.
C Carlos Ruiz, Phillies -- .361/.427/.578. Cards' Molina and Giants Posey are legitimate choices here too.
OF Matt Kemp, Dodgers -- .355/.444/.719. The best player in the NL is on the DL, but his selection recognizes him and allows another player to enjoy the honor.
OF Ryan Braun, Brewers -- .310/.390/.590. Maybe he didn't need steroids after all.
(OF Replacement for Kemp) Carlos Beltran, Cardinals -- .312/.402/.585. Albert who?
Quirk of the season: The18 selections represent 18 different teams. That's just the way it worked out.
For starting pitchers, how about Justin Verlander and R.A. Dickey. Awesome.
b
