bdj610's End of Year MLB All-Star Teams: 2003 Edition

2003. It was supposed to be their year. It was supposed to be OUR YEAR!!! The year the boys in blue were finally...FINALLY!!!...going to win the World Series. But alas, thanks to a game six meltdown...WITH ONLY FIVE OUTS TO GET!!!...the Cubs once again, lost the game, lost the next one, and lost any hopes of getting into the World Series. But, ahem, there would be plenty of chances to get back, right???

I digress.

In 2003, my wife and I were busy caring for a toddler and her little brother. We now had the joy of double the diapers (and pullups), double the feedings, the late nights, the car seats...Oh, and did I forget to mention that in 2003, we bought our very first home??? Life was moving really fast at this point. Makes one think there would be no time to continue this little fantasy of mine...you know, creating end of the year All-Star Teams. But, somehow, in all of the chaos, and the impending meltdown, I was able to do it. And what had become a childhood tradition so many years ago (1988) continued 15 years later.

The teams for 2003 saw the return of the eleventh pitcher (the middle reliever that debuted in 2001) to replace the designated hitter. This was done only because the 2004 All-Star Game would be held in Houston (at Enron...ahem...Minute Maid Park). So, the rosters remain at a steady 35 players per team (3 1b, 3 2b, 3 3b, 3 ss, 9 of, 3 c, 6 sp, 5 rp).

So without further ado, for the first time online, I am proud to introduce my 2003 End of Year MLB All-Star Teams (in alphabetical order by position):

(We're scrolling...we're scrolling...we're scrolling...)

American League First Basemen Carlos Delgado, Blue Jays Doug Mientkiewicz, Twins* Frank Thomas, White Sox Second Basemen Bret Boone, Mariners Alfonso Soriano, Yankees Michael Young, Rangers* Third Basemen Hank Blalock, Rangers* Eric Chavez, Athletics Bill Mueller, Red Sox* Shortstops Nomar Garciaparra, Red Sox Derek Jeter, Yankees Alex Rodriguez, Rangers Outfielders Garret Anderson, Angels Carlos Beltran, Royals Aubrey Huff, Devil Rays* Torii Hunter, Twins Magglio Ordoñez, White Sox Manny Ramirez, Red Sox Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners Vernon Wells, Blue Jays* Dmitri Young, Tigers* Catchers Ramon Hernandez, Athletics* A. J. Pierzynski, Twins Jorge Posada, Yankees Pitchers Brendan Donnelly, Angels* Keith Foulke, Athletics Eddie Guardado, Twins Roy Halladay, Blue Jays Tim Hudson, Athletics Jorge Julio, Orioles* Esteban Loiaza, White Sox* Jamie Moyer, Mariners Andy Pettitte, Yankees Mariano Rivera, Yankees C. C. Sabathia, Indians Manager: Ken Macha, Athletics The Starters: 1B: Delgado 2B: Soriano 3B: Mueller SS: ARodriguez OF: Hunter OF: Ramirez OF: Suzuki C: Posada P: Halladay *First-Time All-Star

National League First Basemen Todd Helton, Rockies Richie Sexson, Brewers Jim Thome, Phillies Second Basemen Luis Castillo, Marlins Mark Loretta, Padres* Jose Vidro, Expos Third Basemen Mike Lowell, Marlins Aramis Ramirez, Cubs* Scott Rolen, Cardinals Shortstops Orlando Cabrera, Expos* Rafael Furcal, Braves* Edgar Renteria, Cardinals Outfielders Lance Berkman, Astros Barry Bonds, Giants Adam Dunn, Reds* Luis Gonzalez, Diamondbacks Vladimir Guerrero, Expos Albert Pujols, Cardinals Gary Sheffield, Braves Sammy Sosa, Cubs Preston Wilson, Rockies Catchers Jason Kendall, Pirates Javy Lopez, Braves Ivan Rodriguez, Marlins Pitchers Octavio Dotel, Astros* Eric Gagne, Dodgers Russ Ortiz, Braves Mark Prior, Cubs* Jason Schmidt, Giants* John Smoltz, Braves Steve Trachsel, Mets* Billy Wagner, Astros Woody Williams, Cardinals* Kerry Wood, Cubs* Tim Worrell, Giants* Manager: Larry Bowa, Phillies The Starters: 1B: Helton 2B: Vidro 3B: Rolen SS: Furcal OF: Bonds OF: Pujols OF: Sheffield C: Lopez P: Prior

Twenty-three players are first-time all-stars (11 for the American League, 12 for the Nationals). One-person teams on my 2003 rosters include the Devil Rays (Huff), Indians (Sabathia), Orioles (Julio), Royals (Beltran), Tigers (DYoung), Brewers (Sexson), Diamondbacks (Gonzalez), Dodgers (Gagne), Mets (Trachsel), Padres (Loretta), Phillies (Thome), Pirates (Kendall), and Reds (Dunn). The Yankees and Braves each send five representatives to the AL and NL squads respectively, leading their leagues. The Athletics, Twins, Cardinals, and Cubs each send four players to their respective squads. Chicago bias makes a comeback as there are seven players from both Chicago teams (3 from the White Sox, 4 from the Cubs).

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