bdj610's End of Year MLB All-Star Teams: 1997 Edition

As we look forward to 2010, today's All-Star Teams were chosen after the 1997 season. The Florida Marlins shock the world by beating the heavily favored Cleveland Indians in the World Series. Fans were starting to come back. And I graduated college, and was now on my one year off for self exploration. I'm still working at the online shopping service, having the time of my life. And still taking time to come up with All-Star Teams.

I did follow baseball a lot during the summer, and Sports Weekly still displayed full stats, so using that, plus giving sway to those who actually played in the 1997 ASG, I was confident enough to pick players for these teams based on merit. As in previous years, there are 10 pitchers on each team (six starters, four closers), and because the 1998 ASG would be in Denver (at Coors Field), there was no DH needed. So the rosters contracted to 34 players per team.

So without further ado, for the first time online, I am proud to introduce my 1997 End of Year MLB All-Star Teams (in alphabetical order by position):

(Start the New Year's Countdown...10...)

American League First Basemen Tino Martinez, Yankees* Frank Thomas, White Sox Mo Vaughn, Red Sox Second Basemen Roberto Alomar, Orioles Damion Easely, Tigers* Chuck Knoblauch, Twins Third Basemen Jeff Cirillo, Brewers Jeff King, Royals* Cal Ripken, Orioles Shortstops Nomar Garciaparra, Red Sox* Derek Jeter, Yankees Omar Vizquel, Indians Outfielders Albert Belle, White Sox Jeromy Burnitz, Brewers* Juan Gonzalez, Rangers Rusty Greer, Rangers* Ken Griffey, Jr., Mariners Paul O'Neill, Yankees Manny Ramirez, Indians Tim Salmon, Angels Matt Stairs, Athletics* Catchers Sandy Alomar, Indians Ivan Rodriguez, Rangers Dan Wilson, Mariners Pitchers Roger Clemens, Blue Jays Pat Hentgen, Blue Jays Randy Johnson, Mariners Doug Jones, Brewers Jamie Moyer, Mariners* Randy Myers, Orioles Andy Pettitte, Yankees Brad Radke, Twins* Mariano Rivera, Yankees* John Wetteland, Rangers Manager: Terry Collins, Angels The Starters: 1B: Thomas 2B: Alomar 3B: Ripken SS: Jeter OF: Belle OF: Griffey, Jr. OF: Ramirez C: Rodriguez P: Clemens *First-Time All-Star

National League First Basemen Jeff Bagwell, Astros Andres Galarraga, Rockies Mark Grace, Cubs Second Basemen Craig Biggio, Astros Jeff Kent, Giants* Tony Womack, Pirates* Third Basemen Ken Caminiti, Padres Vinny Castilla, Rockies Chipper Jones, Braves Shortstops Royce Clayton, Cardinals* Mark Grudzielanek, Expos Barry Larkin, Reds Outfielders Moises Alou, Marlins Dante Bichette, Rockies Barry Bonds, Giants Tony Gwynn, Padres Kenny Lofton, Braves Raul Mondesi, Dodgers Gary Sheffield, Marlins Sammy Sosa, Cubs Larry Walker, Rockies Catchers Todd Hundley, Mets Javy Lopez, Braves* Mike Piazza, Dodgers Pitchers Rod Beck, Giants Shawn Estes, Giants* Trevor Hoffman, Padres Darryl Kile, Astros* Greg Maddux, Braves Pedro Martinez, Expos* Denny Neagle, Braves* Robb Nen, Marlins* Curt Schilling, Phillies* Jeff Shaw, Reds* Manager: Larry Dierker, Astros The Starters: 1B: Bagwell 2B: Kent 3B: Jones SS: Larkin OF: Bonds OF: Gwynn OF: Sosa C: Piazza P: Maddux

Twenty-one players are first-time all-stars (10 for the American League, 11 for the Nationals). One-person teams on my 1997 rosters include the Angels (Salmon), Athletics (Stairs), Royals (King), Tigers (Easely), Cardinals (Clayton), Mets (Hundley), Phillies (Schilling), and Pirates (Womack). The Yankees and Braves send five representatives to the AL and NL rosters, leading their respective leagues. The Mariners, Rangers, Giants, and Rockies each send four players to the teams.

As always, seven regular games (10,000 simulations each, six with the same starting pitchers, one where lineups and starting pitchers change), and one All-Star Game will be simulated during the course of the week. I hope to have the results of all the games by the end of the week.

Now it's time for me to create the .DAT files before getting the games set. Results to come on Monday (unless we party too late).

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama