bdj610's End of Year MLB All-Star Teams: 2002 Edition

It's 2002 now, and my wife, my daughter, and I spent part of the year waiting for the new addition to our family, and the rest of the year taking care of our new baby boy. Our son joined us in July, a 6 pound, 3 ounce miracle. And the story of his birth will never be forgotten. Although as the years have gone by, the story has gotten wilder and wilder with every re-telling. Let's just say that nobody's mind is alert at 3:00 in the morning. My baseball card collection, some of which has already been manhandled by my daughter, is starting to grow at this point, thanks to being able to take her to card shows all over the area. And the card shop that I spent a lot of time (and money) in kept adding more kerosene to my wanting more cards. But 2002 is the year of a lot of changes. None bigger than bringing home my son, and the eventual reality of having to search for a new home.

Baseball in 2002 consisted of the Angels shocking the world by winning their first World Series. The Cubs didn't go anywhere...AGAIN. Neither did the White Sox. Both the Twins and Expos were on the verge of contraction. Thank goodness that never became a reality, although the powers that ran MLB really made it challenging for the team in Montréal. In between the diapers, pullups, baby food, baby toys, and all other things scattered around our apartment by now, I still named players for my All-Star Teams. Granted the time to do it was not always available, but in between morning wakeup calls, I was able to get this fun little endeavor done for the 16th straight year. Somehow, the paper I used to name my teams is still intact. So before it becomes more crumpled and illegible, I am ready to bring them to life, thanks to the internet and the baseball simulation.

This year's teams include 10 pitchers on each team (six starters, four closers), and the usual 3 players per position (1b, 2b, 3b, ss, c, 9 of), and because the 2003 ASG would be in Chicago (at the newly named U. S. Cellular Field), each team included a DH. The middle reliever position used last year was put on the shelf for now, keeping the rosters at 35 players per team.

Without further ado, for the first time online, I am proud to introduce my 2002 End of Year MLB All-Star Teams (in alphabetical order by position):

(Nothing to see here...really!)

American League First Basemen Rafael Palmeiro, Rangers Mike Sweeney, Royals Jim Thome, Indians Second Basemen Bret Boone, Mariners Adam Kennedy, Angels* Alfonso Soriano, Yankees* Third Basemen Tony Batista, Orioles Troy Glaus, Angels Eric Hinske, Blue Jays* Shortstops Nomar Garciaparra, Red Sox Alex Rodriguez, Rangers Miguel Tejada, Athletics Outfielders Garret Anderson, Angels Carlos Beltran, Royals* Robert Fick, Tigers Torii Hunter, Twins* Magglio Ordoñez, White Sox Manny Ramirez, Red Sox Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners Bernie Williams, Yankees Randy Winn, Devil Rays* Catchers A. J. Pierzynski, Twins* Jorge Posada, Yankees Ivan Rodriguez, Rangers Designated Hitter: Jason Giambi, Yankees Pitchers Eddie Guardado, Twins* Roy Halladay, Blue Jays* Billy Koch, Athletics* Derek Lowe, Red Sox Pedro Martinez, Red Sox Mark Mulder, Athletics Troy Percival, Angels Ugueth Urbina, Red Sox Jarrod Washburn, Angels* Barry Zito, Athletics* Manager: Mike Scioscia, Angels The Starters: 1B: Thome 2B: Soriano 3B: Glaus SS: Rodriguez OF: Hunter OF: Ramirez OF: Suzuki C: Posada DH: Giambi P: Martinez *First-Time All-Star

National League First Basemen Jeff Bagwell, Astros Todd Helton, Rockies Richie Sexson, Brewers Second Basemen Luis Castillo, Marlins* Jeff Kent, Giants Jose Vidro, Expos Third Basemen Aaron Boone, Reds* Mike Lowell, Marlins* Scott Rolen, Cardinals Shortstops Jose Hernandez, Brewers* Edgar Renteria, Cardinals Jimmy Rollins, Phillies Outfielders Lance Berkman, Astros Barry Bonds, Giants Brian Giles, Pirates Shawn Green, Dodgers Vladimir Guerrero, Expos Chipper Jones, Braves Albert Pujols, Cardinals Sammy Sosa, Cubs Larry Walker, Rockies Catchers Paul LoDuca, Dodgers Mike Piazza, Mets Benito Santiago, Giants Designated Hitter: Ryan Klesko, Padres* Pitchers Eric Gagne, Dodgers* Tom Glavine, Braves Randy Johnson, Diamondbacks Jose Mesa, Phillies Kevin Milwood, Braves Hideo Nomo, Dodgers Roy Oswalt, Astros* Curt Schilling, Diamondbacks John Smoltz, Braves Mike Williams, Pirates* Manager: Jim Tracy, Dodgers The Starters: 1B: Helton 2B: Kent 3B: Rolen SS: Rollins OF: Bonds OF: Guerrero OF: Sosa C: Piazza DH: Klesko P: Johnson

Twenty players are first-time all-stars (12 for the American League, 8 for the Nationals). One-person teams on my 2002 rosters include the Devil Rays (Winn), Indians (Thome), Orioles (Batista), Tigers (Fick), White Sox (Ordoñez), Cubs (Sosa), Mets (Piazza), Pirates (Williams), and Reds (Boone). Both the Angels and Red Sox send five representatives to the AL roster, leading both leagues. The Braves and Dodgers each send four players to the NL squad.

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. Game results coming next week.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama