A Couple Final All-Star Notes

First of all, kudos to both managers for starting the two most deserving pitchers tomorrow night. Both Peavy and Haren will represent the NL and AL, respectively, to start the game, proving yet again, I'm always right. Except when I'm wrong.

Also, Jim Leyland, the man who should be managing the Phillies, absolutely nailed the AL lineup:

1. Ichiro
2. Jeter
3. Ortiz
4. A-Rod
5. Vlad
6. Magglio
7. I-Rod
8. Polanco

I probably would have switched Ortiz and Vlad based solely on performance this year and proximity to the game - Boston is a little farther from San Francisco than Anahiem is - but Papi is the bigger star and still a great hitter.

Tony La Russa, on the other hand, made a lineup that one would expect from a man whose team boasts a spiffy 40-45 record. Here it is:

1. Reyes
2. Bonds
3. Beltran
4. Griffey
5. Wright
6. Fielder
7. Martin
8. Utley

Now let me make this abundantly clear - I am NOT only pissed at this because I am a Phillies fan. I am pissed because I am a baseball fan and this makes no sense. Lets break it down by lineup spot, shall we?

1. Reyes: fine. Makes sense.
2. Bonds: also fine. The game is in San Fran.
3. Beltran: Um, WHAT THE FUCK Tony? The man is hitting .264! .264! Should hit 6th.
4. Griffey Jr.: should be hitting 3rd. Bonds then Griffey? I'm sorry, even I think that's cool.
5. Wright: look, Wright is a very good player, but in this line up, he should hit 7th.
6. Fielder: um, maybe the best power hitter on the team should hit 4th. Just a hunch.
7. Martin: clearly the worst hitting starter, should hit 8th.
8. Utley: Hold on. Wait for it. Wait for it. WHAT?!?! He has the best across the board numbers of anyone on the team. He is clearly one of the top hitters in baseball, not just the NL and hitting him 8th - behind Martin! Martin! - is downright insulting. He should be hitting 5th. Now, this decision will make sense if one and only one thing happens: he plays the whole game. The other two second baseman are Orlando Hudson and Freddy Sanchez, choices that are dubious and absurd, respectively. Hudson, while having a good year, should have been replaced by Jimmy Rollins or even teammate Eric Byrnes. Freddy Sanchez, the lone Pirate, is occupying a spot that teammate Ian Snell deserves. If neither of those guys plays, no one will care. Not even Pittsburgers, or Pittsburgians or Yinzers, or whatever the fuck they call themselves.

So, in short, here is my proposed NL lineup:

1. Reyes
2. Bonds
3. Griffey Jr.
4. Fielder
5. Utley
6. Beltran
7. Wright
8. Martin

Now that is a team that might actually have a chance against the AL lineup. Aw, who am I kidding? They're gonna get killed either way. Final Score: Al 11, NL 6.

Also, Big Boy repeats as Derby winner, hitting an astonishing 743 balls into McCovey Cove. Enjoy the festivities.