Olympic Games Morally Bankrupt

OLYMPIC GAMES ARE A JOKE

ALWAYS HAVE BEEN 

Jacques Rogges President of IOC

Before everyone gets to offended to read on I will say this, the athletes of the Olympic Games deserve admiration and respect for all the hard work they put in. This is no way an attempt to belittle their life long work.

The Olympic Games are no stranger to scandals that is for sure but the horrible judging we see in some of these events is for another time. Scandals are one thing but there has been only one terrorist massacre. That of course took place in Munich during the 1972 Games.  Palestinian terrorists murdered 11 Israeli athletes. Jacques Rogges, the President of the International Olympic Committee recently denied requests from the State of Israel and various members of the United States Congress to add a moment of silence to the agenda during the Opening Ceremonies in London. 

Why would he deny this request? Seems reasonable to me especially in today's post 9/11 world that we could take a moment and remember the terrorist act that occured during THE GAMES 40 years ago.  It's simple Rogges doesn't want to upset any of the participating nations that would be offended by making the Palestinians look bad in anyway and that would be a lot of the countries. They can't take 30 seconds out of an all night borefest that is the Opening Ceremonies to pay respect to the Olympians that died because of those idiot terrorists? Come on. 

During the next couple weeks you will be force fed the term "OLYMPIC SPIRIT"  by all the talking heads in the media. Lets be honest if that isn't the biggest fraudulent slogan drummed up by the International Olympic Committee then I don't know what is. Let's face it the modern Olympics have always been about one thing and that has nothing to do with spirit. Olympics are about the MONEY. 

The mission of Olympic Spirit is "to build a peaceful and better world in the Olympic Spirit which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play - Olympic Spirit strives to inspire and motivate the youth of the world to be the best they can be through educational and entertaining interactive challenges. Olympic Spirit seeks to instill and develop the values and ideals of Olympism in those who visit and to promote tolerance and understanding in these increasingly troubled time in which we live, to make our world a more peaceful place." -Wikipedia 

"A peaceful and better world..."

The actions of the IOC are disgusting. As I recall the Olympic's honored Adolf Hitler with  his Nazi party in 1936 by letting them host the games, they also held the Games in the Communist Soviet Union in 1980 and in 2008 Beijing was rewarded the games. All these countries make me think of  "A peaceful and better world..." right? 

 I guess the Olympic's are pro Tyrant's? They can reward these  monster's by selecting these countries to host the Games and all that comes with it but they  won't take 30 seconds to remember the horrible act that happened during the Games of 1972. What is going on here? Lucky for Rogges that no one seems to care.

The I.O.C cares about one thing and that is who is willing to drop the biggest bid to host the games.They seem to not care about any moral values that there precious mission statement suggests. Lucky for them the public doesn't seem to mind either because once the Games start we suddenly become interested in  who is going to win the Gold in Under Water Basket Weaving. 

Great Coaching Moments II. Phil Weston

GREAT COACHING MOMENTS RETURNS WITH

WILL FERRELL IN KICKING & SCREAMING

Coach Phil Weston (Will Ferrell), is an average person who had to endure his father Buck Weston's (Robert Duvall) over-competitiveness throughout his childhood, an upbringing which has left permanent mental scars. Now middle-aged and married, with a young son named Sam, Phil runs a smallvitamin store, while Buck operates a local chain of sports stores.

Buck is coach of the Gladiators, the most successful little-league soccer team in the district. Sam is on Buck's soccer team, but to his dad's annoyance his grandfather keeps him on the bench, a humiliation he also visited upon his son decades prior. Buck eventually transfers Sam to the Tigers, the league's worst team.

At Sam's first game with his new team their coach is absent. Rather than forfeit, Phil decides to coach the team, a position he takes up permanently. However, despite Phil's best efforts the team does not seem to improve. In desperation Phil recruits Mike Ditka (played by himself), who is Buck's neighbor and hated enemy. Enticed by the opportunity to beat Buck, Ditka accepts the position. Despite grueling training, the team continues to lose.

Ditka introduces Phil to two exceptionally talented Italian boys working in a local butcher's shop. Phil succeeds in gaining their Uncle's permission for them to play for the Tigers. They have an immediate impact, scoring repeatedly. The resulting winning streak makes them serious contenders in the league. After finally winning a couple of games and Phil said that his team was going to go to the finals, Phil and Buck make a bet, if the Gladiators win then Phil would sell his store and work for Buck. If the Tigers win then Buck would hand over his most prized possession, 'The Pele ball', a baby ball struck by the famous player which Phil caught as a child and his father took from him.

Meanwhile, Ditka also introduces Phil to coffee, which rapidly changes him from a mild-mannered caring dad, to a crazed, over-competitive coach, not that different from his father, abusing kids and parents alike. The team's mantra becomes "Get the ball to the Italians", which, though effective, demoralizes his team. In the ultimate over-competitive act he benches his own son for the entire semi-final game.

Coach Weston big leaguing his Assistant Coach

The Tigers make it to the finals where they face off against the Gladiators. At half-time, the score is two-one to the Gladiators. In a heart-to-heart discussion with his son, Phil realizes the error of his ways. He tells his team to do exactly the opposite of what he taught them. Although the Gladiators score one more goal after half-time, they don't give up hope. Phil gives the goalie a vision test with glasses from the game watchers. From there, Ambrose scores one goal—making the score three-two. After another goal, the score is tied. The team rallys and produces a spectacular team performance to win 4-3, with Sam scoring the winning goal against his uncle Bucky (played by a young Josh Hutcherson), (Buck's child who was born on the exact day as Sam) using a move that he practiced when his dad benched him in the semi-finals.

Honoring the bet, Buck tries to give Phil the ball, but Phil refuses. Making peace with his father, they merge their businesses, realizing there is more to life than winning. -wikipedia

NFL Players Don't Like the Law

ANOTHER NFL PLAYER ARRESTED

NFL HAS AN EPIDEMIC ON ITS HANDS. 

Adrian Peterson was arrested in Houston, Texas at a nightclub early this morning. He apparently was resisting arrest after police ordered everyone out of the club. Adrian has to be tackled by police officers and was then arrested before posting bond of $1000. There are still a lot of questions about why Adrian Peterson was resisting arrest but we will have to wait and see until more news comes out.

Here is the chart of NFL teams with the worst player accountability off the field since 2000.

Team  and # of Arrests Since 2000

Suprisingly the Minnesota Vikings top the League's Arrest total. The Rams have only had 7 players arrested since 2000 so  they are a well behaved organization. 

Minnesota Vikings 40
Cincinnati Bengals 37
Denver Broncos 33
Tennessee Titans 30
Jacksonville Jaguars 27
Kansas City Chiefs 26
Miami Dolphins 26
San Diego Chargers 25
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24
Indianapolis Colts 23
Cleveland Browns 22
Chicago Bears 21
New Orleans Saints 19
Seattle Seahawks 18
Washington Redskins 18
Carolina Panthers 17
Green Bay Packers 17
Oakland Raiders 17
Pittsburgh Steelers 17
Baltimore Ravens 16
Atlanta Falcons 14
Buffalo Bills 14
Detroit Lions 13
New England Patriots 13
New York Giants 12
Dallas Cowboys 11
San Francisco 49ers 11
Philadelphia Eagles 10
Arizona Cardinals 9
Houston Texans 9
New York Jets 8
St Louis Rams 7

Data source: San Diego Union Tribune NFL Arrest Database

ADAM DUNN VS. REGGIE JACKSON

REGGIE JACKSON VS. ADAM DUNN

Statistical look at first 12 Seasons

Since Adam Dunn is only in his 12th season we see it only fair that we compare the stats of both sluggers up until that point. While Reggie Jackson goes down as a Hall of Fame player, it is in my opinion he just might be the most over rated player the game has ever seen; at least statistically speaking. I can prove it by merely comparing the current equivalent to Reggie. 

"I'm not over rated" 

REGINALD MARTINEZ JACKSON. 

Nickname  Mr. October 
6'0 195 lbs. 
Bats Left  Throws Left
Drafted in the 1st Round (2nd pick overall) 
First 12 Seasons  
Games      1650
AB            5884 
HITS        1582
AVE          .268
HR             340 
RUNS         973 
2B               299 
BB              786
SO             1499
Average 162 game career totals (whole career)
Average .262/ 32 HR/98 RBI/79 BB/SO 149/SLG.490  

"people don't even rate me" 

ADAM TROY DUNN.
Nickame  Big Donkey 
6'6" 285 lbs. 
Bats Left  Throws Right
Drafted in the 2nd Round
Seasons    12 
Games     1651 
AB           5682
HITS       1382
AVE         .242  
RUNS        948 
HR             390
2B              293 
BB           1131
SO           1937 
Average 162 game career totals
Average .242/ 38 HR/96 RBI/111 BB/SO 190/SLG.503 

BREAKING DOWN AN AVERAGE SEASON. 


Reggie's 162 career game average
Average .262/ 32 HR/98 RBI/89 Runs/79 BB/SO 149/SLG.490/OPS. .846


Dunn's 162 career game average
Average .242/ 38 HR/96 RBI/93 Runs/111 BB/SO 190/SLG.503/OPS. .876

 It's pretty clear that they are very similar players with Reggie hitting for a slightly higher average while Dunn is hitting about a half dozen more bombs a year while walking more then 30 times more than Reggie a year. That is huge. Remember batting average especially with sluggers is the least useful stat in all of baseball. 

 Reggie Jackson was an 8 time All Star in his first 12 seasons. He received MVP votes 9 times in that span. Adam Dunn in the same amount of seasons? 2 All Star appearances and only 3 seasons were he received MVP votes. It's clear that playing for the A's and Yankees certainly helped Jackson's cause. Meaningful games and deep Playoff runs gave the cocky Reggie a platform and yeah he ran into a few. 

  Adam Dunn is almost the exact opposite. Always has been on crappy teams and he is a soft spoken guy. He certainly isn't looking for the camera the way Reggie did still does.  I also think we have so many guys now that can hit 35 home runs a year that it devalues our opinion on Dunn because of that. Reggie allegedly played before the "juice" so a guy that could hit 35plus bombs would get baseball fans wet pretty easily am I right?   

Conclusions.
1. playing on winning teams make players look better then they are, history is much kinder.
2. either Reggie Jackson is really over rated and Adam Dunn is really under rated.
3. Reggie Jackson is the most overrated player of all time because his stats especially compared to All-Time players is softer than Clay Aiken at the Playboy Mansion. 

BAD GUY: HALL OF FAME NOMINEE #2

DOLPH LUNDGREN as IVAN DRAGO 
in ROCKY IV. 

courtesy of wrappup.com

"WAIT... WHAT? THAT ISN'T IVAN DRAGO THAT IS THE UTAH JAZZ FORWARD ANDREI KIRILENKO." 

I am so firing my editor. 

Nicknamed the Siberian Express, Ivan Drago is the pride of the Soviet Union. Amateur boxing champion and Olympic Gold Medalist. With an amateur record of 100-0 (100 KO)  The guy is as dominant as they come. Juiced out of his mind his body is a machine  packing twice as much power in his punches than the average heavyweights. 

Unlike the flamboyant Apollo Creed and the brash Clubber Lang -- Rocky's opponents in previous movies who are abrupt and tell it how it is—Ivan Drago is a quiet man who lets his fists do the talking when inside the ring. Driven by his desire to be the best at all costs, this single-minded manner in which he pursues this goal deprives him of his humanity. Many viewers and critics have suggested that Drago was meant to symbolize America's perception of Russia: immense, powerful, and emotionless. This is made evident by his cold-blooded pulverization of Creed in an exhibition match as well as by his callous reaction towards news of his opponent's death. Drago generally allows his wife and trainers to talk on his behalf to the press. The character only speaks short sentences, throughout the film, all terse, short statements.

courtesy of familyguy.wikia.com/wiki/Ivan_Drago

"I MUST BREAK YOU" 

Drago's trainers, Sergei Igor Rimsky (George Rogan) and Manuel Vega (James "Cannonball" Green), along with his wife Ludmilla (Brigitte Nielsen), are convinced that he can defeat any boxer. Drago enters professional heavyweight boxing in the beginning of the movie, as stated by the press. Former champion Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers), now 42 years old, comes out of retirement to challenge Drago to an exhibition match, promoted by Creed's former rival Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone). Creed arrives to the ring wearing his signature Stars & Stripes boxing garb to "Living in America," sung by James Brown, upon a huge stage that is lowered into the ring. Before the match begins, Drago ominously mutters "You will lose."

During the fight, Apollo is no match for the Russian fighter. In Apollo's corner, Rocky contemplates whether to throw in the towel and surrender the fight (against Creed's earlier instructions), but instead he decides to hold onto the towel. Defenseless, Apollo continues to absorb blows to the head until Drago finally kills him with a final blow to the head. Drago exhibits no remorse about what happened to the former champion, simply stating in an interview after the fight that "if he dies, he dies."

To avenge Apollo's death, Rocky travels to the Soviet Union to fight Drago on his home turf in Moscow. The fight eventually becomes a long, drawn-out war between Rocky and Drago, and to everyone's shock, Rocky manages to severely damage Drago, and the crowd begins to cheer for Rocky, whereas at the start of the fight, they were booing him. Drago's promoter — a Soviet/German official — insults him, claiming that by allowing an American to fight so admirably on Russian soil, Drago is disgracing the Soviet Union. The enraged Drago grabs him by the throat, throws him out of the ring and proclaims he only fights for himself. Rocky wins by KO in the 15th and final round in a dramatic ending.

According to Rocky: The Ultimate Guide, Ivan Drago wasn't permitted to resume his boxing career after his loss to Rocky Balboa because of the special circumstance that he could not officially turn pro in the USSR. Ivan Drago turned professional after the fall of the Soviet Union and accumulated a record of 31-1 (31 KO) while also winning a portion of the Heavyweight title. He never unified the title or fought the very top contenders (as a pro) because of promotional politics. It is possible that Drago defeated Tommy Gunn for the Heavyweight Championship. Drago seems to have retired the Champion, perhaps due to lack of success. The Heavyweight title may have gone to Mason Dixon's unnamed opponent. His only defeat as a pro or an amateur fighter was at the hands of Rocky Balboa. -Wikipedia

ONE OF THE MOST INTIMIDATING FIGURES IN MOVIE HISTORY. 

UPDATING: FORMER MLB #1 PICKS

CHECKING IN ON FORMER

MLB #1 PICKS

The last 10 former no. 1 overall picks

and whats going on with them.

"I hope I grow up to be likeTim Beckham"

THE ART OF DRAFTING A BALL PLAYER

Scouting is certainly not a science. Players with all the promise in the world can flame out rather quickly. One thing is clear, if your drafted no. 1 overall then you definitely are given every opportunity to make The Show as quick as possible and every once in a while one of those picks actually turns into a star at that the Big League Level. 


2012 CARLOS CORREA. Astros.  Age 17. An honor roll student at the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy & High School. 
Just starting out we will be tracking him throughout the season. Starting out in the Gulf Coast League (GCL) 

Carlos has played in  15 games
10 for 61 .161 average/ 0 HR/ 14 Strikeouts/ .478 OPS. 

2011 GERRIT COLE. Pirates.  Age 21 straight out of UCLA Recently took a line drive to the face. Luckily for him x-rays came back negative. Cole is obviously being face tracked as the Pirates would love to see him up in Pittsburgh sometime next season. Cole got a promotion after a 13 starts in A+ ball 
67 innings pitched/53 Hits/20 ER/69 K's/2.69 ERA 
He is now in AA and has started 3 Games 
11.2 innings pitched/16 Hits/6 ER/13 K's/4.63 ERA/1.51 WHIP

2010 BRYCE HARPER. Nationals. Age 19 out of some Jabroni Juco. Thanks to some injuries Harper made his debut early and has made the most of it. A borderline All-Star at this point he is a Superstar in the making. The Nationals hit the jackpot 2 years in a row, the way the Orlando Magic did with Penny Hardaway and Shaq. 
63/228 .276/ 8 HR/ .349 OBP/ .478 SLG/ .827 OPS.

2009 STEPHEN STRASBURG. Nationals. Age 23 out of the academic powerhous that is San Diego State.This season he has looked like he may take over as the best the pitcher in the game soon. Nothing you don't already know.  
SEASON : 93 Innings 9-3 2.81 ERA/ 122 K's/ 1.08 WHIP
 Career: 185 Innings 15-7 2.68 ERA/ 238 K's/ 1.03 WHIP

2008 TIM BECKHAM. Rays.  Age 22.was  suspended for 50 games for his second violation under the Minor League drug program.  Currently in AAA playing Shortstop struggling with the bat.  He is back and played 24 games with unimpressive numbers. NOT A BUST YET but certainly things have not gone the way he or the Rays have wanted since drafting him.
25 for 96 .260 2 HR/ 14 RBI/ .339 OBP/ .354 SLG./ .694 OPS.

2007 DAVID PRICE. Rays. Age 26 out of Vanderbilt. no question ace level talent at the big league level. Playoff tested veteran at a young age, one of the best arms in baseball.  1st in AL in wins. 5th in innings pitched. 5th in Strikeouts. 5th in AL ERA. 
SEASON: 111.2 innings / 11-4 /2.82ERA/  105 K's/ 1.20 WHIP
CAREER:    Record of 52-30 /3.31 ERA/ 1.20 WHIP 

2006 LUKE HOCHEVAR. Royals. Age 28. out of University of Tennessee. He is not panning out. This is now his 5th season and the Kansas City is not giving up on him just yet. This season has gone pretty much standard to the rest of his career... poorly. He is stuck in mediocrity. 
SEASON: 93 innings / 5-8 /5.23 ERA/  68 K's/ 1.41 WHIP
CAREER:    Record of 35-51 /5.28 ERA/ 1.40 WHIP 

2005 JUSTIN UPTON. Diamondbacks. Age 24 finished 4th in the MVP voting last season. Already 2 All Star appearances and 1 Silver Slugger Award he is one of the games top young outfielders. A slow start to this season but Upton has established himself as a National League star as he is still learning at the highest level. 

SEASON:  .263/ 7 HR/ .346 OBP/ .376 SLG/ .722 OPS.
CAREER: .275/ 98 HR/.356 OBP/ .475 SLG/ .830 OPS. 

2004 MATT BUSH. Rays. Out of Mission Bay HS, San Diego. Drafted as a SS he failed at that so they gave him a shot on the mound. The sad thing is Matt Bush had shown enough promise through early spring training that it looked like he might be given a chance to pitch for the big club this season. All thats gone. Today, Matt Bush is in jail. He is going to be there for a long time. 

"Bush allegedly stole his spring roommate’s SUV Thursday night, got drunk, climbed on stage at a strip club before bouncers booted him, headed back on the road and hit a 72-year-old motorcyclist named Tony Tufano. Bush reportedly ran over Tufano’s head while peeling away. He drove from the carnage with a .18 blood alcohol level and a septuagenarian lying in the street in critical condition." http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=jp-passan_matt_bush_arrest_alcohol_dui_crash_032612

2003 DELMON YOUNG. Tigers. Camarillo HS. Still only 26 years old. Major League Baseball suspended Detroit Tigers outfielder Delmon Young for seven days without pay earlier this season. In a drunk rage Young used an anti-Semitic slur against four men and tackled one of them. 
Look for Delmon to have a much better 2nd half of the season. Everyone expected the Tigers to run away with the Central. This isn't the case, they will need Young to hit like he did last season if they want to make the playoffs. 
SEASON: .263/ 6 HR/ .290 OBP/ .375 SLG/ .665 OPS.
CAREER: .286/ 77 HR/ .318 OBP/.423 SLG/.741 OPS.

2002 BRYAN BULLINGTON. Japan Hiroshima Carp. a career record of 1-9 with a 5.62 ERA in 81.2 innings as a major leaguer. He stunk it up so bad we exiled him to Japan. 

updated: TRACKING HARPER & TROUT

PROSPECT WARS: SUPERSTAR WATCH
BIGGER IMPACT

Bryce Harper vs. Mike Trout

"SUP BRO. I'M LEGIT. "

Bryce Harper by the numbers. Age 19.
He is currently 61 for 223 that is a
.274 Batting Average.
He has hit 8 Home Runs while striking out 49 times.
The clown brahhhh has 8 SB.
Harper has a SLG of .471 and a OPS of .819
TRENDING UP. closing the grand canyon sized gap between himself and Trout.

@Trouty20 is going to the #ASG
Mike Trout by the numbers. Age 20.
He is currently 80 for 236 that is a
.339 Batting Average. He has hit 9 Home Runs while striking out 52 times
while shocking AL Catchers with 22 SB.
Trout has a SLG of .542 and has a OPS of 9.38
TRENDING. slightly down from last Update... but then again how could they not? Unreal.

NL ALL-STAR STARTERS

courtesy of stlcardinalbaseball.com

  "FANS ARE IDIOTS. "-mr. resentment.

THE
NATIONAL LEAGUE  ALL STAR TEAM STARTERS.  

By David Herrmann

The National League roster has taken a major hit over the years, with the loss of marquee first basemen Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder as well as the injury to Ryan Howard the 1B position was a lock for Joey Votto. No question Votto deserves the nod as he is putting up another MVP caliber season. The roster managed this year by retired coach Tony La Russa features a lot of head scratchers and A LOT of new faces. 

Here is the break down: FAN VOTE NL 

C  - Buster Posey, who came back from a nasty leg injury last year, is a deserving candidate for the starting catcher role. Carlos Ruiz is having the better season by far. However, this one is too close to call. So, fan voting wins here.

1B – As discussed, Joey Votto really is the only choice here. I cringe at the thought if he doesn’t play. Would they start Bryan LaHair? I think this goes without questioning that the 1B position in the NL is now devoid of any major talent. I see Anthony Rizzo in a few years changing this.

2B – Dan Uggla? Really? The second base position much like the first base position has 90% of the talent in the AL. Dan Uggla is simply a name, the starting job should have been given to Aaron Hill. Hill has put together an amazing season so far with a BA at .300, tied with Uggla for 1st in home runs for a second basemen, he is tied for 3^rd in RBIs and his .512 slug % is leading the pack.

3B – Pablo Sandoval must have been paying off the entire Bay area to get him as the starting 3B for the NL ASG. David Wright is putting up a MVP caliber season, 2^nd in the MAJORS with a .354 BA, 4^th in OPS, 2^nd in doubles and 7^th in hits. Pablo is a fan favorite but no question the more worthy candidate to start was and should be David Wright.

SS – Rafael Furcal, again a product of fan voting. Furcal plays for a STL fan base that is passionate about the game of baseball and for good measure. However, Furcal shouldn’t be starting at SS for the NL. That should go to Ian Desmond. Desmond, playing for the 1^st place Washington Nationals has put together quite a season. Desmond is slugging at a .484 clip, belting 13 home runs and leading all SS in the NL in RBI’s with 43. Ian Desmond should be starting, not Rafael Furcal.

OF – Look at those names! I think it is safe to say that the best players in MLB are found manning the outfield.  This years starters include Melky Cabrera, Carlos Beltran and Matt Kemp. No question fan favorite Matt Kemp is a worthy candidate based on past performance. However, he has been injured most of the year so that nod needs to go to Ryan Braun the current reigning MVP. Melky Cabrera, again a product of the Bay area must have a lot of devoted fans to get him in to a starting spot. Melky is having an AMAZING season, no question. However, Andrew McCutchen should be playing in his place. McCutchen like Braun are part of the top 10 best players in the game. McCutchen currently is batting .354 and slugging .600 and with a OPS of 1.007 his starting spot on the NL ASG roster should have been cemented. Finally, Carlos Beltran, yes the oft-injured Carlos Beltran who has resurfaced as a front line star. Beltran’s first half has been grand, no question. He has helped keep the Red Birds a float when Holliday was struggling. Beltran’s signing will go down as one of the best of last off-season and he is making the pain of missing Pujols easy on the Cardinal fans.

SP – Matt Cain, he threw a perfect game in the first half. Matt Cain, having the best season of his career is the most worthy candidate to start. R.A. Dickey also deserves to start, however having him come in in the 3^rd inning after having hitters face Matt Cain will be fun to watch.

Notable omissions – Andre Ethier, really? Where is the love for the guy tied 3^rd in the NL in RBIs? Who has kept the Dodgers (disregard the last few weeks) afloat while Kemp is injured? Ethier deserved a spot on this team. Johnny Cueto, why isn’t Cueto on this team? Why would La Russa keep him off? Well, other than the fact La Russa holds a grudge against him for an incident that occurred in 2010. Cueto’s numbers speak for themselves. Zach Grienke, another WTF? Grienke is having a stellar season and worthy of a spot on the squad. A true head scratcher here being he started his career in Kansas City and it would be a nice gesture.

Finally, VOTE FOR CHIPPER JONES!

 Who should be the NL Starters? 

C – Buster Posey

1B – Joey Votto

2B – Aaron Hill

3B – David Wright

SS – Ian Desmond

OF – Andrew McCutchen, Ryan Braun, Carlos Beltran

SP – Matt Cain

AL ALL-STAR STARTERS

"When I grow up I am going to start the All-Star Game every season, even if I don't deserve it... same thing goes with winning the Gold Glove." 
-Mr. Resentment doing a Jeter voice.

AMERICAN LEAGUE  ALL STAR TEAM STARTERS.  

By David Herrmann

The All-Star rosters were announced Sunday, though a few surprises most notably the reigning MVP Ryan Braun is not starting, despite putting up numbers on par with his MVP season last year. The All-Star voting tends to come down to a popularity contest more than pure talent or who is more deserving of a nod. Why else would Bryce Harper be considered for a spot over the retiring and most deserving, Chipper Jones. In that case I say vote Chipper and vote away. Chipper Jones like Cal Ripken Jr. should start in his final ASG game. It would be a great nod and send off to arguably one of the greatest players of the last two decades.

I tend to view the ASG as nothing more than an exhibition game of today’s greatest players. However, that rarely happens. With the stakes at an all time high is it time to put aside the fan voting for more traditional ways of selecting the team from the one most important part of the game, stats? 

AL starters:

C – Mike Napoli was selected as the starting catcher. MIKE NAPOLI? Really? Mike Napoli is a talented player but is prone to major streaks. Who is most deserving of the nod? To be honest, Joe Mauer should have been considered. He is having an amazing year with a AL leading .324 BA for a “strictly” catching position.  I would say a reserve should have been AJ Pierzysnki, after all he is 6^th among MLB catchers in batting average, first in home runs.

1B – Paul Konerko should be the starting first baseman. He once again is putting up solid numbers with an AL leading .335 BA, 14HRs and OPS of .962. Prince Fielder simply is having a typical Fielder season but Konerko deserves the nod.

2B – Robinson Cano.  I think the fans got this one right. Cano is the best second baseman in the game. He needs to start. 

3B – Mark Trumbo is currently leading third basemen in the AL in home runs, 3^rd in BA, first in OPS. Why isn’t he starting?

SS – Derek Jeter’s rein of starting the ASG should be coming to an end. However, the most popular player in the game does say something. If it was my choice Asdrubal Cabrera would be my starting SS, hands down. Asdrubal is essentially keeping the Cleveland Indians a float. His offense and excellent defense have saved many of games for this team and deserves the nod.

OF – This is a game where the long ball rules. People want to see the long ball. Therefore the starting 3 in my opinion are the starting 3 that should be playing.

DH – David Ortiz is the best choice for this as he has found himself with one of the best OPS in the game. Ortiz hits for average and power a rarity at the DH position. Though I think Billy Butler should have been considered since well the game is played in KC.

Below you will find the rosters of who I think most notably deserves a spot on the ASG rosters.

MY STARTERS. 

C – Joe Mauer

1B – Paul Konerko

2B – Robinson Cano

3B – Mark Trumbo

SS – Asrubal Cabrera

OF – Josh Hamilton

OF – Curtis Granderson

OF – Jose Bautista

DH – David Ortiz

SP –Justin Verlander

Most notable players who didn’t make AL roster: Josh Willingham – Josh has put together a stellar season. Playing in cavernous Target Field, Josh has provided excellent pop and defense for a Twins squad looking for some power in the outfield. Josh Reddick – Josh is having one of those seasons that at the end of the year you will ask why Boston traded him? Josh’s career is taking off in Oakland and nobody is watching.