bdj610's End of Year MLB All-Star Teams: 2008 Edition

Well, we've finally reached the point in this series that the teams that I will present have already been introduced. When I started this humble, little blog in 2008, never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd gather up the courage and put online one of my childhood dalliances. But after 21 years (and 42 posts), it's become a reality, and my teams are now permanently online for posterity.

The year 2008 saw the Cubs AND the White Sox in the postseason. The Cubs had the best record in the NL, and the White Sox somehow managed to win three straight games against three different teams to win the AL Central. Unfortunately, both teams were bounced in the first round (sigh...). But in Chicago, it was all about the Cubs and the White Sox and the successes both teams would have in the regular season.

There are now 36 spots on each of the 2008 rosters (the number has stayed the same since 2006). Both teams get: 3 first basemen, 3 second basemen, 3 third basemen, 3 shortstops, 9 outfielders (regardless of position), 3 catchers, 1 designated hitter, 6 starting pitchers, 1 middle relief pitcher, and 4 closers. The rule that every team gets a representative remains after all these years. And regardless of what league hosts the ASG, there will be a DH chosen. In cases where an AL team is hosting (the 2009 game was played at the new Busch Stadium in St. Louis), the DH will be part of the lineup. In cases where the NL is hosting (as was the case with the previous series), the DH will be used as a pinch hitter when needed.

Without further ado, for the first time online, I am proud to introduce my 2008 End of Year MLB All-Star Teams (in alphabetical order by position):

(haven't we seen these guys before???)

American League First Basemen Miguel Cabrera, Tigers Justin Morneau, Twins Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox Second Basemen Ian Kinsler, Rangers* Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox* Brian Roberts, Orioles Third Basemen Evan Longoria, Rays* Melvin Mora, Orioles Alex Rodriguez, Yankees Shortstops Derek Jeter, Yankees Jhonny Peralta, Indians* Michael Young, Rangers Outfielders Jack Cust, Athletics* Vladimir Guerrero, Angels Josh Hamilton, Rangers* Raul Ibañez, Mariners* Nick Markakis, Orioles Magglio Ordoñez, Tigers Carlos Quentin, White Sox* Grady Sizemore, Indians Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners Catchers Joe Mauer, Twins Dioner Navarro, Rays* A. J. Pierzynski, White Sox Designated Hitter Jim Thome, White Sox Pitchers A. J. Burnett, Blue Jays* Gavin Floyd, White Sox* Roy Halladay, Blue Jays Cliff Lee, Indians Daisuke Matsuzaka, Red Sox* Jonathan Papelbon, Red Sox* Mariano Rivera, Yankees Francisco Rodriguez, Angels Joe Saunders, Angels* Scot Shields, Angels* Joakim Soria, Royals* Manager Joe Maddon, Rays The Starters: 1B: Morneau 2B: Pedroia 3B: Rodriguez SS: Jeter OF: Guerrero OF: Hamilton OF: Suzuki C: Mauer DH: Thome P: Lee *First-Time All-Star

National League First Basemen Lance Berkman, Astros Adrian Gonzalez, Padres* Ryan Howard, Phillies Second Basemen Mark DeRosa, Cubs* Dan Uggla, Phillies Chase Utley, Phillies Third Basemen Chipper Jones, Braves Aramis Ramirez, Cubs David Wright, Mets Shortstops Cristian Guzman, Nationals* Hanley Ramirez, Marlins Jose Reyes, Mets Outfielders Carlos Beltran, Mets Ryan Braun, Brewers* Pat Burrell, Phillies* Adam Dunn, Diamondbacks Matt Holliday, Rockies Carlos Lee, Astros Ryan Ludwick, Cardinals* Nate McLouth, Pirates* Alfonso Soriano, Cubs Catchers Russell Martin, Dodgers Bengie Molina, Giants Geovany Soto, Cubs* Designated Hitter Albert Pujols, Cardinals Pitchers Chad Billingsley, Dodgers* Ryan Dempster, Cubs* Brad Lidge, Phillies Tim Lincecum, Giants* Carlos Marmol, Cubs* Johan Santana, Mets Jose Valverde, Astros Edinson Volquez, Reds* Brandon Webb, Diamondbacks Brian Wilson, Giants* Kerry Wood, Cubs Manager Cecil Cooper, Astros The Starters: 1B: Berkman 2B: Utley 3B: Jones SS: HRamirez OF: Braun OF: Holliday OF: Soriano C: Soto DH: Pujols P: Lincecum

Including the 72 players listed above, 565 individual players have been named onto these teams. Ivan Rodriguez holds the record for most All-Star appearances with 14 (Barry Larkin, Cal Ripken, and Tony Gwynn each made 13 appearances).

Thirty players are first-time all-stars (16 for the American League, 14 for the Nationals). One person teams this year included the Athletics (Cust), Royals (Soria), Brewers (Braun), Nationals (Guzman), Padres (AGonzalez), Pirates (McLouth), Reds (Volquez), and Rockies (Holliday). The Cubs lead both teams in representatives with 7, the Angels, Red Sox, White Sox, Mets, and Phillies each have four players on the two teams. Big-time Chicago bias here (hey, both teams had great years) with four White Sox and seven Cubs players.

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. Here's hoping that I don't take too long with this...

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama