MLB All-Star Game: An overview of the rosters – Part 2
An All-Star Game without Derek Jeter of New York Yankees featuring will be dull, to say the least. His appearance on the field is enough to cheer the millions of fans who get together to watch the star-studded game. Jeter should be an automatic choice in
such games as they cater to more than just performances.
Jeter’s calibre as a baseball prodigy cannot be challenged and his 16 years to the game are a precious asset. 2011 has seen Jeter featuring mostly on the disabled list but the fans might not have thought about that for once when voting. The scintillating
game on July 12 should feature the “stars” of the game and there is no denying in Jeter’s stardom.
Asdrubal Cabrera might have been a better choice on performance this season but attracting fans is another side which authorities look closely to. Jeter is known for his hitting abilities and with just four shy from 3000, there can be no better bet than
Jeter. The booming short-stop will be a good element in the AL line-up.
Robinson Cano also makes it to the starting line-up of the American League and given his performance this season, he is no surprise selection. Cano also hails from the New York Yankees and at second base, his presence will agonise even the top players in
the business. In this season alone, Cano has scored 54 runs and 55 RBIs in the 83 games that he has played.
Cano has registered 96 hits thus far meaning more than one hit per game on average. His arm power is an added quality to his skill with a slugging percentage of .520 yielding 14 home-runs this season. Cano grabbed the third-most votes for his third All-Star
selection. On his selection, Cano said, “You want to come play on a team that wins and can go there and have fun."
Another obvious selection to the star-filled line-up was Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees. Commonly renowned as A-Rod, the 6ft 3in third baseman does not need a reason to get selected in the All-Star team. Rodriguez has devoted 17 years to MLB and
his devotion has rightly paid-off.
This is his 13th selection in the All-Star team and is the three-time proud winner of American League’s Most Valuable Player award. His current season has been no less than his career stats. He has already posted 52 runs this season and is all-set
to reach the 100 run mark yet again in his glorified career. He averages more than one-hit per game with 88 in 78 games. His usefulness can be gauged by his 52 RBIs this season alone which can be of serious advantage to any team. He has hit 1883 RBIs in his
career and a few of these in the All-Star Game can really roll the American League bull-pen.
Curtis Granderson was the fourth selection from the New York Yankees in the American League All-Star Starters. Granderson joins Jose Bautista as the outfielder in the AL line-up. Granderson has been on a scoring spree this season with 77 runs added thus
far in the season with almost half-season yet to play. This rate of scoring, if maintained, will take him to the 150-mark this season which will be a landmark in itself. Granderson has shown his skill in all departments of the game.
He is hitting brilliantly with 87 hits and 25 home-runs to compliment his slugging percentage of .597. Attaining the second-most votes behind Bautista exhibit his growing popularity and he surely is one player expected to feature on the All-Star roster more
frequently now.
Continued in Part 3
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