1. Mark Teixeira: Is my bias showing?  I love Mark Teixeira to the degree that “snuggie” users are absolutely delusional. As advertised “perfect for staying cosy and warm at sporting events.” I can guarantee you, anyone showing up in a snuggie at a Yankee game would be black and blue before the first pitch (and not because thats the color of their head-to-toe blanket). 5th in the AL in RBIs and tied for 3rd in home runs, the man not only has serious power but plays arguably the best first base in the league with only 1 error on the season. After having the pleasure of seeing him make plays every night worthy of being on the highlight reels and launching bombs towards the new Yankee Stadium’s welcoming right field, I feel this man is completely 100% worthy of starting.
2. Aaron Hill: Although he didn’t exactly steal the spotlight from the second basemans battle which was Dustin Pedroia and Ian Kinsler (Congrats to Dustie, although I’m a Yankee fan and therefore bred to hate everything red sox, I think he’s a fantastic player and I love the guy. Shhh…) he has seriously made an impact on the Blue Jays this year. Getting off to their incredibly suprising run to start off the season, this man was a huge force behind the spring of the Toronto Blue Jays and still continues to be. He is second in baseball with hits, only behind Ichiro (who should have a catergory of his own, please, its only fair). He is also 6th in the AL in RBIs, and boasts a .299 batting average. Not to mention he plays a very nice second base in the field. Great pick for a reserve
3. Ryan Zimmerman: Why do I feel that no Nationals players ever get any love? While the team as a whole isn’t exactly, eerm, running away with the NL east, Zimmerman has been a dominating player in the league and someone that especially caught my attention during the Nationals 3 game set against the Yankees (I needed someone to draw my attention away from the scoreboard). He flaunts a .293 BA (the same as his AL all star pick counterpart, Evan Longoria), has scored 16% of the Nationals total runs and is 7th in the National leage in hits. Not to mention, Zimmerman has started in every single game the Nationals have played thus far. Another deserving pick for a reserve.

Picks I don’t really understand:

1. Josh Hamilton: Now don’t get me wrong, I am NOT in any way, shape or form hatin’ on Josh Hamilton. I admire everything he’s done and all he’s overcome, and he was probably the most feared hitter in baseball last season (by pitchers and baseballs alike). I was waiting for Ben and Jerrys to come out with a Josh Hamilton themed ice cream flavor and for guest appearances on SNL. With that being said, this year he hasn’t played a game since May 31st and from the beginning of the season until then he was hitting .240. Not exactly replicating his outstanding 2008 season. Considering the numbers and the fact that he’s played maybe half the baseball most other players have, not my pick as an all star this season.
2. Yadier Molina: Again, I have nothing but respect for the Molina trio. Obviously Jose was a huge part of the Yankees’ success last year, being an incredibly skilled defensive catcher with some occasional pop (fun fact: Jose Molina hit the last home run at the old Yankee Stadium). I was about to vote for Benji as my all star selection before I changed it at the last minute to McCann, who got in as a reserve so thats fine with me. Yadier’s numbers aren’t exactly spectacular and nothing really seems to jump out at me, causing a little confusion in my head as to why the fans voted for him. Support for the hometown kid I suppose?

For a complete list of the All Star Game Lineup Click Here 

I smell a 13-game American League Winning streak. Anyone else?

Signing off for now

-Inside the thought bubble