When the Giants Come to Town, It's Bye-Bye Baby

06.03.2008
Stuffing

I’ve gotten around to casting my All-Star ballots, a practice that would result in mass arrests in any other context except pre-1980 Chicago. Mrs. Malo, who did not grow up a baseball fan or among them, was first exposed to the vote-early, vote-often electoral process several years ago. It deeply offended her sense of civic responsibility, and she still unpacks her soapbox when she sees the ushers bring the ballots around.

So for the record, here’s how I’ve voted. My very loose criteria: If a guy is overwhelmingly superior on offense (i.e., Ian Kinsler of Texas), he generally gets my vote. When the stats are closer, I decide who will bring me more joy. Ichiro might not be among the top-10 AL outfielders, but can you name a more fun matchup than Ichiro-Lincecum? Sometimes I give thanks to an old-school warhorse (Jason Varitek, Boston), sometimes it’s the exciting young guy. I only vote for statistically inferior guys when they’re Giants (Bengie Molina). No slack for the A’s.  

American League

C – Split between Jason Varitek, Boston, and Dioner Navarro, Tampa Bay, just because.
1B – Kevin Youkilis, Bos., across the board. Do you really want to see Jason Giambi again? I don’t.
2B – Kinsler, Texas.
SS – Jhonny Peralta, Cleveland, because he has 11 shiny home runs. His OBP is terrible, but I couldn’t bring myself to vote for Michael Young (Tex.) or Derek Jeter.
3B - A-Rod. The best hitter in baseball needs to be in the All-Star game. 
OF – Manny Ramirez (never a dull moment). Josh Hamilton (best numbers in the AL right now). Other votes split between Carlos Quentin (as a write-in), Grady Sizemore and Ichiro.
DH – Big Papi. If he’s healthy, I want to see him. I also want to hug him.

National League

C – Big Money Molina. Two catchers (Soto of the Cubs and McCann of the Braves) are having better years, and you might argue Martin of the Dodgers is, too, but this one goes strictly party-line.
1B – Lance Berkman, across the board. Sorry Pujols, not this year.
2B – Chase Utley, another ballot sweep.
SS – Hanley Ramirez. Several shortstops are having fine seasons, but I want to see Ramirez the most. Jose Reyes doesn’t need my vote.
3B – Chipper Jones, with a few votes of respect sprinkled to Aramis Ramirez and David Wright.
OF – Aaron Rowand on every ballot. Based on stats, he’s not among the top three OFs in the league, but someone has to give him props. Other OF votes spread among Nate McLouth, Kosuke Fukudome, Jason Bay, Adam Dunn, and one Freddie Lewis write-in.



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[June 3, 2008 8:20 PM]  |  link  |  reply
bigO said

check out these names from '71.

American League

Luis Aparicio
Vida Blue
Don Buford
Leo Cardenas +
Rod Carew
Norm Cash
Mike Cuellar
Dave Duncan +
Ray Fosse *
Bill Freehan
Frank Howard
Reggie Jackson
Al Kaline
Harmon Killebrew
Mickey Lolich
Sam McDowell *
Bill Melton +
Andy Messersmith +
Thurman Munson
Bobby Murcer
Tony Oliva *
Amos Otis
Jim Palmer
Marty Pattin +
Jim Perry +
Boog Powell *
Brooks Robinson
Frank Robinson
Cookie Rojas
Sonny Siebert +
Wilbur Wood +
Carl Yastrzemski

National League

Hank Aaron
Glenn Beckert
Johnny Bench
Bobby Bonds
Lou Brock
Steve Carlton +
Clay Carroll +
Roberto Clemente
Nate Colbert
Willie Davis
Larry Dierker *
Dock Ellis
Bud Harrelson
Fergie Jenkins
Don Kessinger
Juan Marichal
Lee May
Willie Mays
Willie McCovey
Felix Millan
Pete Rose
Manny Sanguillen +
Ron Santo
Tom Seaver +
Willie Stargell
Rusty Staub +
Joe Torre
Don Wilson
Rick Wise +