MY ALL-STAR TEAM

My All-Star Team Roster

          With the All-Star Game on the way, not until July but close enough, I have compiled my personal team that would win the ASG easily.  The team is constructed of both American League and National League players that are the best at their respected positions.  This team could contend against any team on any day the stacked that they would have from spot number one in the order to number nine.  The roster will be a thirty man extended roster for September call ups.  The head coach of this team is going to be Joe Torre because of his experience and ability to manage the roster.  Terry Francona is going to be his assistant alongside Bobby Cox.  Every team needs someone to get thrown out of a game once a week, so why not him.

          The five-man pitching rotation will be the highlight of the team pitching either complete game shutouts or seven innings of solid baseball.  The number one starter is going to be Johan Santana, current Mets ace.  Santana is the best left hander in the game and in the top five for overall pitchers in the league.  Behind him would be the play-off experienced Josh Beckett of the Boston Red Sox.  He’ll come in handy during tight games when the series is tied 3-3 or 2-2 and you want to get a jump ahead.  Also in the rotation will be Brandon Webb of the D-Backs, who has won eleven straight starts. Jake Peavey of the Padres will make the team as will Justin Verlander of Detroit.  Coming in to for saves will be a wide variety of relievers.  Jonathan Papelbon and Hideki Okajima will be essential in tight game situations.  Coming in from the pen will be K-Rod, Trevor Hoffman and although he is a Yankee, Mariano Rivera.  The strong point of my all-star team will be the pitching although hitting isn’t far behind.  The extra starter on my team will be the Japanese sensation Dice-K.

          As much as I like hitting homeruns and seeing them hit, my team will be both a base stealing threat and a small ball team.  Leading off is the ultimate small ball player in Ichiro Suzuki.  He swiped of forty bases last season for the seventh year in a row alongside another two hundred plus hit season.  Second is the Red Sox sophomore second baseman, Dustin Pedroia.  Both his defensive ability and hitting capabilities have earned him a spot on my roster.  Hitting third is my least favorite Yankee, Alex Rodriguez. Although he is hated by many, he is the greatest player in the league.  Behind him has to Albert Pujous of the Cardinals.  Although he has been on a bit of a slide for the past couple months and even year, his power is incredible.  Fifth is the most clutch hitter in baseball history in David Ortiz.  His late inning heroics are what make him a definite lock for the DH spot.  Following behind him is where the lineup takes a turn to less power and more of a singles double approach.  My shortstop will be Jose Reyes and he will be hitting sixth.  Not only is a base stealing threat, but also get on base all the time so he can steal.  Vladimir Guerrero  will hit seventh because of his rocket powered arm and ability to golf.  He hits everything you throw at him whether it’s in the dirt or he has to jump for it.  Following him is Manny Ramirez in left field.  Although he lacks speed and fielding ability, his swing is perfect and like Vlad, has a rocket arm.

          On the bench will be great players that could easily be starting.  Ryan Braun, Kevin Youkilis, Derek Jeter, and Orlando Hudson will be the back up infielders, mostly for their defensive abilities.  In the outfield are some of my favorite players.  Torii Hunter is in center, Jim Edmonds in right and some raw speed with Jacoby Elsbury.  My all-star team can contend with anybody and would easily win any world series.