Rangers All Stars

by TRFAN on Jul 3, 2008 2:07 PM CDT Comment 10 comments

Josh Hamilton: He has led the AL in RBIs almost from the beginning of the season. He is in the top five in home runs. He is in the top 10 in batting average, runs scored and slugging percentage. The fans knew what they were doing here. Hamilton, with his enormous power, should also be a popular choice for the State Farm Home Run Derby.

Milton Bradley: Lingering and recurring physical issues have kept him out of 14 of the Rangers' first 85 games. But he still leads the league in on-base percentage and slugging percentage. He was on the ballot as an outfielder but has spent most of the season at DH. If the players don't vote him on the team, he should at least get strong consideration from Francona as a replacement for Ortiz.

Ian Kinsler: If the players are paying attention and looking at numbers, Kinsler should be a lock. As of Thursday morning, Kinsler was leading the league in runs and hits, while he was second in batting average and fourth in stolen bases. Among AL second basemen, Placido Polanco, Mark Grudzielanek, Jose Lopez, Brian Roberts and Pedroia are all having solid seasons. Roberts may have to be the Orioles' representative, if not reliever George Sherrill. But Kinsler's season to this point is far superior to any of them.

Michel Young: Derek Jeter commands the fans' adoration, which is why he will be the starting shortstop. Young commands high respect of players and managers, which is why he's been to four straight All-Star Games and could make it five in a row this season. His numbers aren't overwhelming, but as of Thursday morning he leads all AL shortstops in average, runs and RBIs. Defensively, he is second in fielding percentage and range factor and leads in double plays. Among the players, it should be between him and White Sox shortstop Orlando Cabrera to be Jeter's backup.

Padilla, is over rated with the highest run support in the AL, he really is not that good a pitcher, so my guess like most others is the Rangers should get 4 players in

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Player vote

I’m 99% certain that Kinsler and Young get in with the player vote (barring an amazing comeback to vote Kinsler in as starter).

Does the player vote have to take into account team representatives? My guess is that it doesn’t – the five or six players the manager picks probably are heavily constrained by that, but the 2nd string likely is not.

The only one I’m worried about is Bradley, who is probably the most deserving

by JBImaknee on Jul 3, 2008 2:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Hamilton will participate in the derby if invited

Hamilton declined to confirm whether he had been asked but a source close to the situation verified that Hamilton had been approached by someone with MLB.
Asked if he would participate if officially invited, Hamilton responded “absolutely.”

http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/story/739065.html

Not sure if this has been posted elsewhere. Probably not worthy of its own diary.

It's baseball. You don't always get what you want, and you don't always want what you get. --Ed Coffin

by txranger7 on Jul 3, 2008 2:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

andi m sure the mlb will invite him

seems like a lock all around.

2 games over 500 please.

by DSheppard on Jul 3, 2008 4:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Especially with the story about his dream

of playing in the Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium, even when he was battling the demons.

by venturafearsnolan on Jul 4, 2008 2:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like it!

The bloggerformelyknownasBigBaddBubbaJ

by NYTXFAN on Jul 4, 2008 12:45 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Check out

http://www.twinkietown.com/ for Jesse’s blog on July 2nd.

His all-star picks include, Kins, Young, Hammy, and Bradley….Hmmmm!

The bloggerformelyknownasBigBaddBubbaJ

by NYTXFAN on Jul 4, 2008 1:28 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Like that lineup, but

Kinsler, not Bradley should be leadoff

by TRFAN on Jul 4, 2008 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

what

about laird? isnt he hitting .300 for a catcher.

do yall think he would be in there if he wasnt hurt

Kinsler is the best player on the rangers, BENOIT SUCKS, bring up Harrison

by nice hands on Jul 4, 2008 1:50 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Only in AJM's mind

lol.

Actually, that’s a fair question – although realistically, theres no way Laird had a chance at beating guys like Joe Mauer, Jason Varitek, Jorge Posada, and V-Mart that where up there leading the fan vote, even with the kind of year he was having.

As far as how deserving these guys are though, I think it’s pretty clear Mauer should (and will) be the AL starter this year. You might have been able to make an arguement that Laird could have vied for a backup spot – but considering pretty much all Laird’s best numbers have come while playing in a platoon, I’d think that AJ Pierzynski (who is having a pretty good year despite the fact that he’s a complete tool) would probably get the nod there.

A Lonestar in California

"My keyboard is a Yankees fan" - Whipsmart

by lonestarJon on Jul 4, 2008 6:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs