Monday, June 13, 2005

« Nameless All-Star voting »

By Suss
I got the idea from an episode of "Baseball Tonight" few years ago, who no doubt got it from the Pepsi Challenge. The idea is to dispel any premonitions you have of players who were once good but aren't performing this year. After all, Nomar Garciaparra leading all NL shortstop in voting, despite hitting just .157 with no homers in 51 at-bats, and has been injured since April. But the fans recognize Nomar more than they do David Eckstein or Cesar Izturis, and if they were to tune into the All-Star game would rather see a player they can recognize. But if the best players get network exposure, they have the chance to become the next Nomar.

So here's how the game works: In each category, the current voting results are listed, and the statistics of those players are given without the name. They are obviously not in order by number of votes. To mix it up, I added a deserving player into the mix that isn't part of the top five (beyond that, except for outfield positions, are not yet released). Maybe you can pinpoint your favorite player by the votes and try to find him. Share and compare, then click on the link to see the player's ESPN.com profile. All links open in a new window.

Then, maybe to be true to yourself, you can vote for those players at MLB.com. Or share in the comments link below who you picked.

American League First Basemen

1.Tino Martinez, Yankees: 473,844
2. Kevin Millar, Red Sox: 332,888
3. Paul Konerko, White Sox: 293,405
4. Mark Teixeira, Rangers: 272,032
5. Richie Sexson, Mariners: 201,264
NR: Mike Sweeney, Royals

AVG. HR RBI R BB K AB DECIDE!
.263 _4 26 21 20 27 194 Profile
.242 15 41 36 36 51 219 Profile
.230 12 32 29 21 27 161 Profile
.244 14 49 39 34 70 205 Profile
.298 _9 37 23 12 24 208 Profile
.290 16 48 46 19 41 255 Profile

American League Second Basemen

1. Brian Roberts, Orioles: 629,574
2. Alfonso Soriano, Rangers: 587,083
3. Mark Bellhorn, Red Sox: 276,636
4. Tony Womack, Yankees: 220,773
5. Bret Boone, Mariners: 131,258
NR: Ron Belliard, Indians

AVG. HR RBI R BB K _SB AB DECIDE!
.250 _3 16 27 34 70 _1 188 Profile
.293 _8 26 25 13 25 _2 191 Profile
.249 _0 10 30 11 33 16 213 Profile
.234 _5 29 22 18 41 _3 222 Profile
.361 11 34 39 29 34 13 219 Profile
.289 15 36 47 12 44 _8 235 Profile

American League Shortstops

1. Miguel Tejada, Orioles 713,587
2. Derek Jeter, Yankees 587,109
3. Edgar Renteria, Red Sox 391,683
4. Carlos Guillen, Tigers 126,621
5. Michael Young, Rangers 115,573
NR: Julio Lugo, Devil Rays

AVG. HR RBI R BB K _SB AB DECIDE!
.308 _8 33 44 19 34 _2 253 Profile
.355 _2 16 25 15 26 _1 169 Profile
.265 _5 24 32 15 34 _3 234 Profile
.295 _6 26 41 30 43 _8 237 Profile
.283 _2 27 30 18 23 15 247 Profile
.325 17 51 44 34 34 _1 252 Profile

American League Third Basemen

1. Alex Rodriguez, Yankees 860,958
2. Bill Mueller, Red Sox 314,350
3. Melvin Mora, Orioles 216,709
4. Adrian Beltre, Mariners 192,449
5. Hank Blalock, Rangers 169,975
NR: Brandon Inge, Tigers

AVG. HR RBI R BB K SB AB .DECIDE!
.289 10 35 34 24 56 1 246 Profile
.300 _5 27 36 32 53 3 233 Profile
.244 _5 30 34 _9 40 1 238 Profile
.304 13 42 40 16 44 6 247 Profile
.323 19 56 48 39 43 6 229 Profile
.270 _3 18 30 29 24 0 174 Profile

American League Catchers

1. Jason Varitek, Red Sox: 633,959
2. Ivan Rodriguez, Tigers: 472,364
3. Jorge Posada, Yankees: 350,969
4. Javy Lopez, Orioles: 239,847
5. Joe Mauer, Twins: 139,352

AVG. HR RBI R BB K _CS%* AB _DECIDE!
.288 _5 24 32 _5 40 .485 215 Profile
.299 _5 21 19 21 22 .271 164 Profile
.323 11 26 28 18 41 .257 186 Profile
.278 _7 22 25 _9 30 .311 162 Profile
.286 _8 29 24 23 33 .255 189 Profile

CS% - Batters thrown out trying to steal

American League Designated Hitters

1. David Ortiz, Red Sox: 958,811
2. Jason Giambi, Yankees: 248,540
3. Rafael Palmeiro, Orioles: 244,258
4. Dmitri Young, Tigers: 184,251
5. Frank Thomas, White Sox: 126,590
NR: Shea Hillenbrand, Blue Jays

AVG. HR RBI R BB K AB DECIDE!

.298 16 50 42 32 48 235 Profile
.267 _2 _3 _4 _2 _3 _15 Profile
.255 _8 28 25 24 21 200 Profile
.234 _4 15 15 27 41 141 Profile
.308 _6 41 41 13 42 237 Profile
.266 11 33 33 15 44 218 Profile

American League Outfielders

1. Manny Ramirez, Red Sox: 758,904
2. Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners: 707,654
3. Vladmir Guerrero, Angels: 695,246
4. Johnny Damon, Red Sox: 609,597
5. Gary Sheffield, Yankees: 516,140
6. Hideki Matsui, Yankees: 431,461
7. Trot Nixon, Red Sox: 304,906
8. Torii Hunter, Twins: 296,150
9. Sammy Sosa, Orioles: 289,719
10. Bernie Williams, Yankees: 234,305
11. Scott Podsednik, White Sox: 187,533
12. Garret Anderson, Angels: 137,652
13. Steve Finley, Angels: 130,336
14. Jacque Jones, Twins: 110,101
15. Jermaine Dye, White Sox: 97,566
NR: Kevin Mench, Rangers

AVG. HR RBI R BB K _SB AB _DECIDE!
.294 _9 34 26 23 45 _5 204 Profile
.270 _4 41 35 24 40 _2 237 Profile
.322 _7 48 30 _9 31 _0 230 Profile
.255 10 27 24 11 42 _4 208 Profile
.278 10 39 37 21 38 14 223 Profile
.295 _3 19 41 19 26 15 254 Profile
.251 12 46 33 27 50 _1 219 Profile
.283 11 34 33 17 26 _0 187 Profile
.288 _0 14 36 24 30 31 205 Profile
.344 _2 35 44 23 25 _7 244 Profile
.296 10 38 34 39 33 _6 216 Profile
.239 _3 19 14 22 20 _1 176 Profile
.311 _7 24 28 13 18 _5 164 Profile
.291 _8 37 29 27 21 _1 175 Profile
.251 _8 21 20 18 28 _1 171 Profile
.233 _8 38 25 19 33 _6 215 Profile

Remember, people vote for three outfielders.

This game should add legitimacy to some of the leading vote-getters. But were you pleasantly surprised by some of your picks? Comment.

—posted by Suss at 6/13/2005 06:01:00 PM . . . make a comment