bdj610’s 2011 End of Year MLB All-Star Teams…Every Team Needs a Representative

With the pitching staffs set in our last All-Star Team post, the next step is to make sure that every team gets at least one representative. I believe in the All-Star rule that every team, no matter how well or how poorly they did, has at least one person they could tag as an All-Star, based on his performance on the field. If it means that another person gets snubbed, that's sadly the way it goes. It does not matter how many spots there are on an All-Star team, someone always manages to be left out.

Now the pitching staffs from both sides locked in one representative from seven of the NL teams and seven of the AL teams, almost half the teams in either league. So that means in this post, I am going to name nine position players in the NL, and seven in the AL, to each of their respective league's rosters.

In the NL, the Diamondbacks, Braves, Dodgers, Brewers, Padres, Phillies, and Nationals, have representatives. These nine players will ensure that the NL has all 16 teams represented:

• SS Starlin Castro, Cubs (.307, 10 HR's, 66 RBI's, led NL in hits with 207)
• 2B Brandon Phillips, Reds (.300. 18 HR's, 82 RBI's)
• SS Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies (.302, 30 HR's, 105 RBI's)
• OF Mike Stanton, Marlins (.262, 34 HR's, 87 RBI's)
• OF Carlos Lee, Astros (.275, 18 HR's, 94 RBI's)
• SS Jose Reyes, Mets (.337, 7 HR's, 44 RBI's)
• OF Andrew McCutchen, Pirates (.259, 23 HR's, 89 RBI's)
• OF Lance Berkman, Cardinals (.301, 31 HR's, 94 RBI's)
• 3B Pablo Sandoval, Giants (.315, 23 HR's, 70 RBI's)

It looks like the shortstop position is filled, with Castro, Reyes, and Tulowitzki the best three shortstops in the NL. While the trio doesn't exactly scream Dunston/Larkin/O. Smith or even Garciaparra/Jeter/A. Rodriguez, it looks like the SS position could be held by any one of these three players for most of the 2010's. Stanton, Lee, McCutchen, and Sandoval were the best hitters on their respective teams this year (and in "el Caballo's case, probably the only bright spot left after both Hunter Pence AND Michael Bourn were traded in the Astros' annual "playoff push fire sale.")

On the American League side, the Tigers, Angels, Athletics, Yankees, Mariners, Rays, and Rangers, have representatives. These seven players will ensure that the AL has all 14 teams represented.

• OF Adam Jones, Orioles (.280, 25 HR's, 83 RBI's)
• 1B Adrian Gonzalez, Red Sox (.338, 27 HR's, 117 RBI's)
• 1B Paul Konerko, White Sox (.300, 31 HR's, 105 RBI's)
• SS Asdrubal Cabrera, Indians (.273, 25 HR's, 92 RBI's)
• OF Alex Gordon, Royals (.303, 23 HR's, 87 RBI's)
• OF Michael Cuddyer, Twins (.284, 20 HR's, 70 RBI's)
• OF Jose Bautista, Blue Jays (.302, 43 HR's, 103 RBI's)

Because I have nine outfield spots on each side, I have noticed that many players who wind up being the only person on their team to make the list normally is an outfielder. And that might be the case here with these AL picks as now four of the slots are filled.

Now before you start to say, "Where's this guy?" or, "Why didn't my guy make the team?" Please keep in mind that I'm not done filling out the team. These 16 guys are only here so that all 30 teams have a player. The best (trust me) is still yet to come.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

bdj610's 2011 End of Year MLB All-Star Teams...The Starting Pitchers

Yesterday, I named the bullpens for each of my End of the Year All-Star Teams. Now it's time to name the starters.

To recap, here is my National League relief corps:

• John Axford, Brewers
• Heath Bell, Padres
• Tyler Clippard, Nationals
• Craig Kimbrel, Braves
• J. J. Putz, Diamondbacks

And the American Leauge bullpen:

• Neftali Feliz, Rangers
• Brandon League, Mariners
• Mariano Rivera, Yankees
• David Robertson, Yankees
• Jose Valverde, Tigers

So, who would they be relieving???

Starting with the National League six-man rotation, we have (in alphabetical order):

• Yovani Gallardo, Brewers (17-10, 3.52 ERA, 207 K's)
• Zack Greinke, Brewers (16-6, 3.83 ERA, 201 K's)
• Roy Halladay, Phillies (19-6. 2.35 ERA, 220 K's)
• Ian Kennedy, Diamondbacks (21-4, 2.88 ERA, 198 K's)
• Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers, (21-5, 2.28 ERA, 248 K's)
• Cliff Lee, Phillies (17-8, 2.40 ERA, 238 K's)

Honorable mentions go out to (meaning, if I had more space, I'd would have added) Matt Garza (10-10, 3.32, 197 K's), Cole Hamels (14-9, 2.79, 194 K's), Daniel Hudson (16-12, 3.49, 169 K's), Tim Hudson (16-10, 3.22, 158 's), and Tim Lincecum (13-14, 2.74, 220 K's). Yeah, some of the ERA's could be considered on the high side, but when the lowest strikeout total of the six is 198, you have power pitching.

In the American League, my All-Star six man rotation includes:

• Gio Gonzalez, Athletics (16-12, 3.12 ERA, 197 K's)
• CC Sabathia, Yankees (19-8, 3.00 ERA, 230 K's)
• James Shields, Rays (16-12, 2.82 ERA, 225 K's)
• Justin Verlander, Tigers (24-5, 2.40 ERA, 250 K's)
• Jered Weaver, Angels (18-8, 2.41 ERA, 198 K's)
• C. J. Wilson, Rangers (16-7, 2.94 ERA, 206 K's)

Honorable mentions go out to Josh Beckett (13-7, 2.89, 175 K's), Felix Hernandez (14-14, 3.47, 222 K's), Derek Holland (16-5, 3.95, 162 K's), Ivan Nova (16-4, 3.70, 98 K's), and Ricky Romero (15-11, 2.92, 178 K's). The AL rotation shows a lot of balance between power pitching and low ERA's.
So the pitching staffs are done. Next, we'll get to the position players. The first step is to ensure that every team has a representative, regardless of what position he plays. At this point, seven AL teams and nine teams from the NL need to have a player. I have a few people in mind. Who will they be? Tune in some time tomorrow and find out.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

bdj610's 2011 End of Year MLB All-Star Teams...The Relief Pitchers

As I have done every year for the last 23 years, I am going to compile lists of players for my 2011 End of the Year (or 2012 MLB) All-Star teams. If you want to know what the heck I'm talking about, please review the introduction and brief history (ahem...brief???) as to why I have done this every year for the past 23 years.

Quick rules on how I comprise the teams:

• Two teams, one American League team, and one National League team
• There are 36 spots on each team (three first basemen, three second basemen, three third basemen, three shortstops, nine outfielders, three catchers, six starting pitchers, four relief pitchers/closers, one relief pitcher/set-up, and one DH-the NL spot is taken by the player with the highest average who did not make the team at any position)
• Every team gets a representative. No exceptions. If a player gets snubbed by a guy who is only there because a team needed a rep, then that's sadly the way it goes.

This is going to be a four-post process. Today, I will announce the bullpen staffs for each team.

Why start with the bullpens?

Because it's relatively simple. The top four guys with the most saves are automatically on the teams. Usually.

Last year, I started with the American League staff, this time, I'll begin the National League closers. On this year's team are:

• John Axford, Brewers (2-2, 1.95, 46 saves)
• Craig Kimbrel, Braves (4-3, 2.10, 46 saves)
• J. J. Putz, Diamondbacks (2-2, 2.17, 45 saves)
• Heath Bell, Padres (3-4, 2.44, 43 saves)

Now I know that Drew Storen of the Nationals had the same number of saves as Bell, and Joel Hanrahan of the Pirates has a much lower ERA than both Bell and Storen.  It was really a tough call to pick between these three. But the truth is that I picked Bell because he might be the only Padre to get on this team.  And before you ask, yes, I checked the stats of the rest of the Padres' roster. 
The American League closers for the 2011 team are:

• Jose Valverde, Tigers (2-4, 2.24, 49 saves out of 49 opportunities)
• Mariano Rivera, Yankees (1-2, 1.91, 44 saves)
• Brandon League, Mariners (1-5, 2.79, 37 saves)
• Neftali Feliz, Rangers (2-3, 2.74, 32 saves)

It was a tough call between Feliz and Chris Perez of the Indians for the final spot as Perez saved four more games than Feliz. But Feliz has more strikeouts (54 to 39), a lower ERA (2.74 to 3.32) and lower WHIP (1.16 to 1.21) than the Tribe closer (and card collector).

If recent All-Star Game history has shown us, it's that middle relief pitchers, those guys who ride the bullpen, and barely ever get any baseball cards, are now an important part of any All-Star bullpen.  And the two middle relievers this year not only made their respective league's All-Star roster, but got to pitch in the game.

The NL Middle Reliever for the 2011 team will be the Tyler Clippard of the Washington Nationals. He is the 2011 NL leader in holds with 38, had a 3-0 record, sports a dazzling 1.83 ERA, a minuscule 0.84 WHIP, and struck out 104 batters.  He beats out fellow NL All-Star Johnny Venters for the middle relief

The AL Middle Reliever for the 2011 team will be David Robertson of the New York Yankees. The AL co-leader in holds in 2009 with 34, Robertson went 4-0 this year with a 1.08 ERA and 100 strikeouts.  The runner up for this spot was the other AL holds leader, Daniel Bard.

So right now, we've named the bullpens for each team. Who will fill out the rest of the rosters?

On Thursday, I will name the six starting pitchers that will round out the pitching staffs on each team.

By Friday, every team will get a representative as I announce just some of the players who will take spots on both leagues' rosters.

And finally on Saturday, I will round out the rest of the rosters and introduce the complete National and American League teams.

Wait and see. It's going to look good I promise.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

2011 Topps Update Series is Now Live! So Who Are the SP Legends in This Set?

If you've been paying attention to the Bay, you would know that 2011 Topps Update Series has now arrived, even though it was supposed to be released today (10/5/2011).  So while waiting for master sets to show up on the auction site, I thought it would be a good idea to look around and see what players were given the SP treatment.

Leave it to eBay powersellers brentandbecca to have all the answers in one convenient location.

They presently have two auctions up for a complete set of all 25 cards, each with a BIN of $439.99 (you could start the bidding at $379.99, but we'll see how far that will take you), and all 25 cards are picture in all their glory.

So to save time, hassle, and agony, here are the 25 players whose cards will be mixed in with the regular 330 at short printed levels:

• #US4 Carlton Fisk
• #US10 Hank Aaron
• #US18 Joe DiMaggio
• #US21 Willie McCovey
• #US31 Paul O'Neill
• #US38 Roger Maris
• #US42 Frank Thomas
• #US50 Nolan Ryan
• #US58 Bert Blyleven
• #US59 Rickey Henderson
• #US85 Tom Seaver
• #US138 Paul Molitor
• #US140 Sandy Koufax
• #US154 Babe Ruth
• #US195 Larry Walker
• #US207 Frank Robinson
• #US229 Roberto Alomar
• #US230 Al Kaline
• #US238 Darryl Strawberry
• #US249 Ozzie Smith
• #US258 Monte Irvin
• #US260 Ty Cobb
• #US278 Tris Speaker
• #US291 Andre Dawson
• #US309 Jimmie Foxx

Would you like to see pictures?  Of course you do:

Thoughts:  It pains me to see Frank Thomas in any other uniform besides the White Sox.  I know that these are supposed to show players on other teams.  But it still hurts (pun intended).  Nice to see Andre Dawson in a Cubs uniform. It's the SP debut for DiMaggio, O'Neill, Strawberry, and Walker.  Also, why aren't the baseballs where the team logos are placed "aged"?

Happy hunting.  I'll be looking for these too.  So if you find any in your packs, and don't need them, please let me know.  I'll give them a nice home.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Comparing the Major League Debut Classes of 1991 and 2011.

In 1990, Topps created a set honoring the players who made their MLB debut during the 1989 campaign. It was a relatively successful set, with future HOF's like Ken Griffey, Jr., and Deion Sanders (okay, he's in the Football HOF) and others. In 2009, I created a post comparing the MLB Debut classes of 1989 and 2009 in honor of that set. Because the MLB Debut set had a three-year run, I thought it would be a good idea to continue this series of comparisons with the MLB Debut classes of 1990 and 2010 and again for the Debut classes of 1991 and 2011. Who knows? This might be an annual post at the end of the season and I'll probably do one for 1992 and 2012 next year.

According to Baseball Reference, 17,733 athletes have their names into the annals of Major League Baseball record-keeping. In fact, 239 of them made their MLB Debuts in 2011. That's 239 more players that have etched their names into history books, baseball encyclopedias, and baseball websites. Two hundred thirty-nine more players who finally reached the pinnacle of their professional careers, no matter how long or how brief their stay was. They can honestly say that they have arrived.

In 1992, Topps created a box set featuring all 192 players who made their big league debuts throughout the 1991 season. The 194-card set (featuring two checklists), was similar in design to the 1992 Topps set, but instead of a team name, the colored box that appeared on the right side of the card contained the date of the player's first appearance. Once again, the players' cards were numbered in alphabetical order, even though the checklists listed all the players by the date of their debut. It would also be the final MLB Debut set Topps conceived.

Everyone from Jeff Bagwell (who debuted on April 8, 1991 and was one of four players to make his debut that day) to Doug Lindsey (who made his first appearance on October 6, 1991, the last player to debut that season) was included in this set. Twenty-six players would go on to become All-Stars at some point in their careers. We'd all get to know their names on a regular basis like Mo Vaughn, Rod Beck, Jim Thome, Bernie Williams, Kenny Lofton, and more who were part of this set. Players who had high expectations, but eventually faded from the spotlight (Scott Kamieniecki, Kirk Dressendorfer, Tom Drees) were also in this set. This was the only set that would have Topps cards of Phillies pitcher Amalio Carreno, and Jeff Banister of the Pirates.

Believe it or not, three players who made their debut in 1991 were still on a MLB roster during the 2011 season. The debutantes of 1991 (as of the end of the 2011 season) combined for 74 All-Star Game appearances, 4,788 home runs, 20,331 runs batted in, 3,444 stolen bases, and a batting average of about .267. Pitchers who debuted in 1990 have gone on to a combined record of 2709-2693, saved 1375 games, completed 328 games, faced 205,683 batters, struck out 33,360 of them, gave up 5,364 home runs, and had a cumulative ERA of 4.35.

At any given point during the 2011 season, there were 750 players on active rosters (not counting those on the disabled list). And in amongst the shuffling of talent, 239 baseball players, some who've toiled in the minors for a very long time, and at least two players who were drafted in the 2010 free agent draft, got to step onto the field of a major league stadium for the very first time and play at least one inning of major league baseball. One hundred seven of them were position players, the other 132 stepped onto the pitcher's mound for the very first time. Of the 239, three were born in 1991 (Julio Teheran,Mike Trout,and Jacob Turner) and the oldest player to debut was 35 years old (Yoshinori Tateyama).

The 2011 debutantes combined for two All-Star Game appearances (Aaron Crow and Michael Pineda), 188 home runs, 1001 runs batted in, 230 stolen bases, and a cumulative .246 batting average. Pitchers went 168-219 with an ERA of 4.43, striking out 2,968 batters, and saved 35 games.

Just for fun, let's compare both classes:

• Players making debut: 1991 = 192; 2011 = 239
• Position Players/Pitchers: 1991 = 92/100; 2011 = 107/132
• Earliest Debut: 1991 = Jeff Bagwell, Darryl Kile, Tony Scruggs, Mike Timlin (April 8, 1991); 2011 = Nathan Adcock, Brandon Belt, Tim Collins, Aaron Crow, Cedric Hunter, (March 31, 2011)
• Latest Debut: 1991 = Doug Lindsey (October 6, 1991); 2011 = Jarrod Parker (September 27, 2011)
• Youngest at time of Debut: 1991 = Ivan Rodriguez, (born November 27, 1971, or 19 years, 205 days old); 2011 = Mike Trout (August 7, 1991, or 19 years, 335 days old)
• Oldest at time of Debut: 1991 = Jose Escobar (October 30, 1960, or 30 years, 165 days old); 2011 = Yoshinori Tateyama (December 26, 1975, or 35 years, 149 days old)
• Shortest Career (1 Game only): 1991 = Jeff Banister (one plate appearance, one hit, ended his career with a perfect 1.000 batting average, on base percentage, slugging percentage, and an OPS of 2.000); 2011 = Rafael Dolis, Eric Farris, Steve Garrison, Alan Johnson, Darin Mastroianni, Jarrod Parker, and Elih Villanueva each have only one MLB game under their belt (Farris has one at-bat, Garrison pitched in 2/3 of an inning).
• Longest Career, Seasons: 1991 = Ivan Rodriguez and Jim Thome (21 seasons each, Arthur Rhodes is next with 20, but pitched in 2011); 2011 = only time will tell.

Of the players from the debut class of 2011, just like in 1991, there could be some Hall of Fame candidates. Most may go on to All-Star caliber, or very long careers in the bigs. And for some, this may be their only year in the majors. But all of them can say that they achieved their dream of being a Major League Ballplayer.

And nothing can take that away from them.

I've clamored before about wanting to bring back the Major League Debut set. But I know in today's age of exclusive contracts and rookie card restrictions that a set of this type might never see the light of day again. And although I have a feeling that many collectors would not want to get a set that might have stars but plenty of "never will be's" amongst them, a set like this could contain the only card of a player who played in one inning of major league ball.

1992 Topps MLB Debut '91 Jeff Banister #8

At least Jeff Banister has a card in the 1992 set. Who knows what the future will bring for the 239 players who first appeared in 2011. Most might never play in the majors again, disappearing in the obscurity of minor league baseball for the rest of their professional careers. A set like this would give them a slim piece of cardboard immortality.

Oh well, I can dream, can't I???

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

P.S. Later on this week, I will post my picks as to who I think will make the 2011 Topps All-Star Rookie team. There will be a contest involved. Details to come soon. jba

The Pains of Being a Set Collctor

I actually went to a card show on Sunday.  Not just any card show.  A Fred Copp show.

Let me explain.

For years, Fred Copp has been running card shows throughout the Chicagoland suburbs.  His shows are most often set up within the confines of a hotel, either in the lobby or in one of the conference rooms. The first Copp show I ever went to was just a few minutes away from where I work.  And it seemed that every Friday, he and a bunch of other sellers would be there, selling, trading, or just talking about the Hobby. 

Anyway, on Sunday, his show was set up at a hotel in Schaumburg.  Normally, I am all the way in Chicago on Sunday mornings, nowhere near the shows in the 'burbs.  But because of the annual Women's luncheon that my wife attends, my son and I (my daughter stayed with my wife), found ourselves with way too much time on our hands.  So why not, I thought, go to a card show.

My son and I drove to the hotel, not even sure that the show was even happening.  But once we walked in and saw the sign indicating that the Sports Card Show was just down the hall, we knew we were in luck.  The show took up two conference rooms.  They rooms weren't that big.  And there wasn't that much space to walk around.  But my son and I found a few things that piqued our interest. 

My son wanted a couple of packs of Wacky Packages.  For two bucks, no problem.  I found a flyer for Topps 206...from 2002.  Perfect for my Topps 206 binder. I also found a couple of original back cards from 2011.  Just two.  One of them was mixed in with the regular inserts. 

But the key find was a lot of cards from the 2011 Topps/MLB Network Prime Nine giveaways.  And for five bucks, the guy behind the table said I could have them.  So I paid my five bucks, and found out why he was willing to sell so cheaply (and you'll see too in a minute).



2011 Topps Prime 9 Set...Minus 1

 I am missing one card.  The shortstop.  The #4 card of the giveaway.  Yes, folks, I'm missing Derek Jeter. 

When asked why his card was missing, it was because somebody had come in and BOUGHT IT!!!  And left the other eight cards on the table. 

Why???

WHY??!

You had in your hands a complete set, and you ruined it by taking that one card away.  A set collector's nightmare!!!

Now I know there are player collectors (there must be a million Derek Jeter card collectors), and team collectors (Yankees?  Come on, it's Topps!!!)  But you (and I'm talking to the guy or gal who bought the Jeter) had in your hands all nine of these beautiful chrome cards, all with extremely sharp corners, full gloss, and no scratches.  Why not just take them all with you???

So on Twitter, I posted the following Tweet:

"I can't believe I am typing these next nine words: I need Derek Jeter's 2011 @toppscards Prime 9 card. #collect Anyone??? DM me please."

I'll probably try to find it on the Bay, but if anybody has a spare Jeter card from this set and would like to trade or sell it to me, please send me an e-mail at bdj610@hotmail.com and let me know what it would take to take it off your hands.  Thanks.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

The Results are In: The Readers Like #2!

The poll that I ran for the entire month of September is over and 137 votes were cast (I only had 137 people read this blog ALL SEPTEMBER??!). The poll asked which of artfuas' 12 design concepts for 2012 Topps would have been better than Topps' actual 2012 design (Which of the 2012 Topps Design Concepts Would You Have Liked Topps to Use?). Voters could have picked any one of the twelve, or even voted to say that they actually liked the real 2012 Topps design.  Let's review the results:

• 23 votes were cast for design #2,

• 21 votes were cast for design #6,

• 13 votes were cast for design #12,

• 12 voters said they liked the 2012 Topps design,
• 12 votes were cast for design #7,
• 11 votes each were cast for designs #5 and #8,
• 7 votes each were cast for designs #1 and 10,
• 6 votes were cast for design #11,
• 5 votes were cast for design #3,
• 5 voters decided that none of the 13 designs were good (none of the above),
• and finally, 2 votes each were cast for designs #4 and #9.

What does this all mean?  That beauty is in the eye of the beholder (unless the votes for #'s 4 and 9 were out of pity).  Now personally, I liked design #6 with #12 a close second.  You have a large photo dominating the card, with unobtrusive design elements that take away from the image.  I do see where #2 would have been a good choice as well (pennants), but I'm not sure I like where the player's name was going to fit.

I predicted that #4 was not going to get a lot of votes if only because there is just too much white space at the bottom of the card.  It looks like someone stuck a bandage on the card with someone's picture on it.

Thanks to all who voted. And thanks to artfulas for allowing me to use his designs for the blog.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama