All-Star Roster lacks many Perennials

Well, as we approach the mid-point of the season, I find it refreshing to see a little less of the same old same old. My Detroit Tigers are still clinging fiercely to the top spot in the AL Central, while Chicago and Minnesota continue to rotate in and out of second. Detroit currently boasts the league’s best batting average, an impressive .406; they’re sending pitching sensation Justin Verlander and lead-off outfielder Curtis Granderson to represent the Tigers for the American League.

The Blue Jays have been grounded as of late, a frustrating 8 games behind the first place Red Sox, even though Roy Halladay is among the four winningest AL pitchers and will apparently be Toronto’s sole representive. The Yankees have dug in their heels, only trailing by one game after winning three consecutive contests and going 9-1 in the last ten, as Boston has only broken even. Still, the Yankees are conspicuously absent from the American League’s lineup. For the tenth season each, both Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera will represent the Bronx Bombers. Derek Jeter leads the fan voting as well, while Mark Teixeira is the only other Yankee to occupy a ranking higher than third. A-Rod trails Rays’ third baseman Evan Longoria by 2,000,000 votes. My faith is renewed in the fans, as he has fallen out of favor over the steroid scandal which preceded this season’s opening day.

Boston is the only first place AL team to have players being considered by the fans; Ellsbury the sole candidate who hasn’t already been elected by MLB management. And Big Papi is nowhere to be found. Bummer.

But, I’m elated to report that for the first time in a dozen years, Manny Ramirez won’t be added to either lineup. He is currently a distant seventh among outfielders being considered in the National League. Overall, the National League lineup overwhelmingly lists players with fewer than five appearances. Exceptions include: Albert Pujols with eight, Miguel Tejada with six, and Carlos Beltran with five.

By far, the most discouraging development I’ve noticed is that Juan Pierre and Andre Ethier are evidently not invited to play for the dominate L.A. Dodgers, who, despite the absence of Ramirez, have held the best record in the majors all season.

As always, I guess we’ll see what happens. Anything is possible in baseball.