First, a link that connected with a conversation I had over the weekend, about how people of color can get to feeling sometimes. I seem to react to three groups of people: white people, because I want to prove that I'm just as good/better than they are, other Korean Americans, because I want to prove that I'm better than they are by being equally adept in the mainstream and in my niche culture, and everybody else. Who knows. Maybe I should just not think about this stuff and I'd be happier about it, but it never works out that way.
---
I'm going to try and finish the U2 primer in mid-July, after the next retreat. I'd rather not push it into August, or else I don't think I'll get it done at all.
---
The word All-Star doesn't make any sense to me. You're one of all the stars? Why aren't you just a star, then? I'm lost. Anyway, the almost-final rosters were revealed on Sunday, and Ozzie and Phil Garner did pretty well in minimizing the clunkers. All-Star rosters are extended to 31 (not the normal 25) to accomodate the silly "every team has an All-Star" rule, fan voting (Paul LoDuca? Mark Loretta? Seriously?), and managers' picks.
Anyway, here's a 25-man roster for each league, constructed with actually winning in mind (so no playing dudes out of position too much, appropriate amount of lefthanders in the bullpen, defensive aptitude, etc). The National League was a lot easier than the AL, probably because the AL has the 1b/DH logjam. No fuss/muss.
National League
Positional Starters (8)
C Estrada, Ari - switch-hitting catchers are NICE.
1b Pujols, StL - was on pace to bust Steroid Bear's single season homer record until he got hurt.
2b Utley, Phi - How cool is a name like "Chase Utley?" The only other career option that name would allow is "cowhand."
3b Wright, NYM - can't believe he's only 23. Worth a king's ransom in rotisserie.
SS Reyes, NYM - turned the corner this year by getting his OBP up. Also just turned 23.
LF Lee, Mil - I won't soon forget El Caballo turning around to our heckling while the ball was in play. Dude, pay attention to the game.
CF Beltran, NYM - finally earning that big money, still the best defensive OF in the game.
RF Berkman, Hou - been playing 1b this year, but has played RF in the past. Also, is on the All Big-Boned Team.
Bench (6)
C McCann, Atl - hitting .354
1b/SS/3b - Nomar, LA - can play a little bit everywhere and is hitting a ton (.363/.425/.591)
2b/ss - Vizquel, SF - defensive sub in the middle infield. My friend babysits his kids.
3b/LF - Cabrera, Fla - righthanded thunder off the bench, and I don't mean his thighs.
LF/CF/RF - Bay, Pit - He's Canadian. Every team has to have a rep.
LF/2b - Soriano, Was - guess I was wrong about him having a bad year in the NL
Could use another lefty bat off the bench. Cabrera or Soriano would DH. Would have chosen Abreu over Bay.
Pitchers (11)
SP Webb, Ari - best starter in the NL
SP Zambrano, Chi - could win 15 for a team that loses 100.
SP Arroyo, Cin - ERA leader, has pushed Cincy to the division lead
SP Glavine, NYM (L) - league leader in wins, the only good lefty starter in the NL
SP Pedro, NYM - still brings it in dramatic situations, as long as Grady Little isn't around
RP Carpenter, StL
RP Capuano, Mil
RP Fuentes, Col (L)
RP Gordon, Phi - And the girls who love him.
RP Hoffman, SD
RP Wagner, NYM (L) - 2 good starters and 4 lights-out closers round out the bullpen.
American League
Positional Starters (8)
C Mauer, Min - How many catchers hit over .390 this late in the year?
1b Thome, Chi - league leader in HRs, SLG, and Comiskey love.
2b Lopez, Sea - leading AL 2b in win shares. Sorry, Gooch.
3b Crede, Chi - Really. Defense, and he doesn't choke like A-Rod.
SS Jeter, NYY - can cure cancer, find Osama Bin Laden, lower gas prices. but doesn't.
LF Manny, Bos - requisite leftfielder who can bomb but can't field
CF Wells, Tor - He and Beltran are having very similar years hitting and fielding.
RF Ichiro!, Sea - can play center also
Bench (6)
C Hernandez, Bal - leads MLB catchers in HRs and RBI.
DH Hafner, Cle - I love Big Papi, but Pronk is having a slightly better year.
3b/SS ARod, NYY - provides entertainment value with meaningless home runs late in blowouts, galvanizes the clubhouse because everyone hates him.
2b/SS Grudzielanek, KC - ugh. every team has to have a rep.
OF Matthews, Tex - can play all three OF spots and run.
RF Vladdy, LAA - Dye is having a better year, but every team has to have a rep.
The overall suckiness of the bench is KC's fault. Would have picked Young over Grudzielanek, then Sizemore over Matthews. Could use some lefthanded pop and someone who can actually play 1b.
Pitchers (11)
SP Santana, Min - best AL pitcher for the past 3 years. Was Koufax like this?
SP Halladay, Tor - great pitcher with freak injuries.
SP Contreras, Chi - 16 straight winning decisions. Hated the Yankees so much, he refused to pitch well until he left them. That sort of integrity is hard to find.
SP Schilling, Bos - hard to believe the Bloody Sock of Turin got left off the All-Star team.
SP Zito, Oak (L) - Oakland made the right choice in keeping him over Mulder or Hudson.
RP Kazmir, TB (L)
RP Jenks, Chi - 100 MPH
RP Verlander, Det - 100 MPH
RP Ryan, Tor (L)- 100 MPH
RP Papelbon, Bos
RP Rivera, NYY
Why do it in 30 spots when you can do it 25?
Off to hunt for boxes.
