bdj610's End of Year MLB All-Star Teams: 1999 Edition

Baseball was popular again in 1999. The Home Run Derby from a year ago brought it back into the people's conscience, and everyone was looking forward to an encore. The year saw the Yankees win (again), the Cubs and Sox go nowhere (again), and everyone was getting ready for Y2K (remember that)?

My wife and I celebrated our first anniversary with a trip to St. Louis. One of these days, we have to go back. In fact, during our weekend in St. Louis, the Cards...were in San Diego, helping Tony Gwynn to his 3,000th hit. Go figure. We were both working, happy, young, and before the kids, carefree. Then the 2000's hit...but that's another story.

I did follow baseball a lot during the summer (who couldn't???), and I learned of a card shop in the area that would become my shop of choice for a number of years (Brian Proulx, you and your shop are still missed.) In fact, after three years of not producing one, Topps finally created a Traded set for the 1999 season. But that, too, is another story. Somehow, through all the hysteria, and looking forward to a new millennium, I still had time to make up my All-Star Teams. As has been tradition, there are 10 pitchers on each team (six starters, four closers), and because the 2000 ASG would be in Atlanta (at Turner 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 1999 End of Year MLB All-Star Teams (in alphabetical order by position):

(Party like it's 1999 folks...)

American League First Basemen Ron Coomer, Twins* Jason Giambi, Athletics* Jim Thome, Indians Second Basemen Roberto Alomar, Indians Damion Easely, Tigers Randy Velarde, Athletics* Third Basemen Tony Fernandez, Blue Jays Joe Randa, Royals* Cal Ripken, Orioles Shortstops Nomar Garciaparra, Red Sox Derek Jeter, Yankees Alex Rodriguez, Mariners Outfielders Garrett Anderson, Angels* Albert Belle, Orioles Juan Gonzalez, Rangers Shawn Green, Blue Jays Ken Griffey, Jr., Mariners Kenny Lofton, Indians Magglio Ordoñez, White Sox* Manny Ramirez, Indians Bernie Williams, Yankees Catchers Brad Ausmus, Tigers* Ivan Rodriguez, Rangers Jason Varitek, Red Sox* Pitchers Bartolo Colon, Indians* Orlando Hernandez, Yankees* Roberto Hernandez, Devil Rays Mike Jackson, Indians Pedro Martinez, Red Sox Mike Mussina, Orioles Mariano Rivera, Yankees Aaron Sele, Rangers John Wetteland, Rangers David Wells, Blue Jays Manager: Jimy Wiliams, Red Sox The Starters: 1B: Thome 2B: Alomar 3B: Ripken SS: Garciaparra OF: Griffey, Jr. OF: Lofton OF: Ramirez C: Rodriguez P: Martinez *First-Time All-Star

National League First Basemen Jeff Bagwell, Astros Sean Casey, Reds* Mark McGwire, Cardinals Second Basemen Jay Bell, Diamondbacks Craig Biggio, Astros Jeff Kent, Giants Third Basemen Jeff Cirillo, Brewers Chipper Jones, Braves Matt Williams, Diamondbacks Shortstops Alex Gonzalez, Marlins* Mark Grudzielanek, Dodgers Barry Larkin, Reds Outfielders Barry Bonds, Giants Brian Giles, Pirates* Doug Glanville, Phillies* Luis Gonzalez, Diamondbacks* Vladimir Guerrero, Expos Tony Gwynn, Padres Gary Sheffield, Dodgers Sammy Sosa, Cubs Larry Walker, Rockies Catchers Mike Lieberthal, Phillies* Ed Taubensee, Reds* Mike Piazza, Mets Pitchers Mike Hampton, Astros* Trevor Hoffman, Padres Randy Johnson, Diamondbacks Jose Lima, Astros* Greg Maddux, Braves Kevin Millwood, Braves* John Rocker, Braves* Curt Schilling, Phillies Ugueth Urbina, Expos* Billy Wagner, Astros* Manager: Jack McKeon, Reds The Starters: 1B: McGwire 2B: Kent 3B: Williams SS: Larkin OF: Bonds OF: Sosa OF: Walker C: Piazza P: Johnson

Twenty-three players are first-time all-stars (10 for the American League, 13 for the Nationals). One-person teams on my 1999 rosters include the Angels (Anderson), Devil Rays (RHernandez), Royals (Randa), Twins (Coomer), White Sox (Ordoñez), Brewers (Cirillo), Cardinals (McGwire), Cubs (Sosa), Marlins (AGonzalez), Mets (Piazza), Pirates (Giles), and Rockies (Walker). The Indians send six representatives to the AL, leading both leagues. The Reds send five players to the NL team. So this year's rosters have an Ohio feel to them.

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