Sports Update
NL All-Stars
by Stephen Smith
National League
Catcher- Paul LoDuca,
Marlins. (302, 2 HR, 31RBI) In a weak year at catcher
in the NL, LoDuca stands out. LoDuca continues to
hit well while handling one of the most feared staffs
in the senior circuit.
First Base- Derrek
Lee, Cubs. (.385, 23 HR, 65 RBI) Legitimate triple
crown threat this season. Lee single handedly kept
Chicago within striking distance in the central while
Wood and Prior went down.
Second Base- Jeff Kent,
Dodgers. (.302, 15 HR, 58 RBI) Kent, the only bright
spot in disappointing first half for LA. Leads all
NL 2B in hits, home runs, and RBIs.
Shortstop- Felipe Lopez,
Reds (.303, 13 HR, 45 RBI) The 25 year old Puerto
Rican putting up great numbers in just his second
full season in the big leagues in the shadows of former
Reds great Barry Larkin. Rockies SS Clint Barmes (.329,
8 HR, 24 RBI) figured to start before his injury in
early June.
Third
Base- Aramis Ramirez, Cubs. (.296, 17, 49)
Forms one of the scariest duos in the league with
teammate Derrek Lee. Ramirez is the head of the class
thus far at the hot corner with St. Louis’ Scott
Rolen on the DL for part of the first half.
Left Field- Miguel
Cabrera, Marlins. (.340, 15 HR, 56 RBI) Currently
second in the league in average. Cabrera, only 22,
took off during the 2003 run to the World Series and
has not looked back since.
Center Field- Andruw
Jones Braves. (.285, 25 HR, 56 RBI) Leads all of baseball
in home runs. Always known as a phenomenal defensive
player, he is finally coming into his own at the plate
and producing on the hype he garnered when he came
into the league.
Right Field- Bobby
Abreu, Phillies. (.317, 17 HR, 52 RBI) Vastly underrated
performer. Amazingly made his first all star team
last season. Should continue to have a place on the
NL squad for years to come.
Designated Hitter-
Albert Pujols, Cardinals. (.338, 20 HR, 64 RBI) In
any other season the starter at first. Thankfully,
the game is in Detroit this year and gets the deserved
all star start.
Starting
Pitcher- Roger Clemens, Astros.
(6-3, 1.50 ERA, 104 K) Still getting it done at 42
years old. Should have about 12 or 13 wins to this
point had the Houston offense scored any runs at all
for him. Arguably his best first half of this future
Hall of Famer’s career.
Closer- Chad Cordero,
Nationals. (2-1, 0.89 ERA, 27 saves) The most dominate
closer in 2005. Helped take Washington from Montreal
to the top spot in the NL East. At 23 years old, looks
to have a very bright future shutting the door for
years to come.
List of Reserves
C- Johnny Estrada, Braves (.278, 3 HR, 32 RBI)
1B- Chad Tracy, Diamondbacks (.320, 8 HR, 31 RBI)
1B- Carlos Delgado, Marlins (.309, 15 HR, 57 RBI)
2B- Chase Utley, Phillies (.312, 11 HR, 38 RBI)
SS- Omar Vizquel, Giants (.306, 1 HR, 27 RBI)
3B- Joe Randa, Reds (.308, 12 HR, 42 RBI)
OF- Jason Bay, Pirates (.308, 15 HR, 40 RBI)
OF- Rob Mackowiak, Pirates (.303, 8 HR, 39 RBI)
OF- Carlos Lee, Brewers (.272, 20 HR, 69 RBI)
OF- Brady Clark, Brewers (.322, 7 HR, 28 RBI)
OF- Jose Guillen, Nationals (.302, 15 HR, 43 RBI)
P- Dontrelle Willis, Marlins (12-3, 2.04 ERA, 85 K)
P- Livan Hernandez, Nationals (11-2, 3.32 ERA, 71
K)
P- Chris Carpenter, Cardinals (11-4, 2.77 ERA, 112
K)
P- Pedro Martinez, Mets (8-2, 2.72 ERA, 117 K)
P- Jay Peavy, Padres (7-2, 2.88 ERA, 110 K)
P- Adam Eaton, Padres (9-2, 3.34 ERA, 63 K)
P- Jason Isringhausen, Cardinals (0-1, 2.05 ERA, 22
saves)
P- Juilian Tavarez, Cardinals (1-1, 2.52 ERA, 19 holds,
3 saves)
P- Billy Wagner, Phillies (1-0, 2.04 ERA, 19 saves)
P- Brian Fuentes, Rockies (1-3, 2.75 ERA, 9 for 11
saves)
Note: Stats as of June 30, 2005.
Based on the criteria MLB uses, with each team having
at least one representative.
