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The 2003 sBn ALL STAR Team
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The STARTERS:
C: A.J. Pierzynski, Minnesota Twins
(.312, .360 OB%, 74 RBI): The Bill Laimbeer of baseball, he gets under opponent's skin with his cocky indifference.
The best 0-2 hitter in the league, his ugly swing gets it done.
1B: Richie Sexson, Milwaukee Brewers (.274,
124 RBI, .930 OPS): A gamer -- played in all 162 games this year. A slugger -- belted 45 home runs. 'Nuff said.
2B: Mark Loretta, San Diego Padres (.315, 71 RBI, .374 OB%): A clutch, steady veteran -- what team
couldn't use him?
3B: Bill Mueller, Boston Red Sox (.327, 19 HR, 85 RBI): A 32-year-old, career .286
hitter that never finished in the top 10 of any offensive category wins the batting title. Go figure.
SS:
Jose Reyes, New York Mets (.307, 13 SB, 69 G): A ray of hope in the Mets' overpriced, over hyped mess.
LF:
Shannon Stewart, Minnesota Twins (.307, .364 OB%, 90 R): Known in Minnesota as "The Savior."
CF:
Rocco Baldelli, Tampa Bay Devil Rays (.290, 78 RBI, 27 SB): Peter Gammons put it best, calling Rocco "Tampa's first
baseball hero". The REAL AL Rookie of the Year.
RF: Scott Podsednik, Milwaukee Brewers (.312, 43 SB,
.378 OB%): From an unknown journey man to the NL Rookie of the Year, you can't help but like this hustler.
DH:
Aubrey Huff, Tampa Bay Devil Rays (.310, 34 HR, 106 RBI): A legit masher -- Aubrey leaves many pitchers in a huff.
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The BENCH:
Pat Borders, C, Seattle Mariners (40 years old): Fought
and clawed his way back to the bigs -- any guy with his heart can play on our team.
Rickey Henderson, OF,
Los Angeles Dodgers (44 years old): Just for being Rickey. As Long as Rickey is playing, Rickey will be on
this team.
Barry Larkin, SS, Cincinnati Reds (.282, 39 years old): A classic. This year's Reds
didn't deserve him.
Dustan Mohr, OF, Minnesota Twins (10 HR): Scrappy, gutty, Mohr would run through
a brick wall to help his team win.
Fernando Seguignol, 1B-OF, New York Yankees (.341, 28 HR, 87 RBI
at AAA Columbus): The Barry Bonds of the International League, "Seggy" nearly took home the league's Triple Crown
at Columbus.
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The ROTATION:
Wilson Alvarez, Los Angeles Dodgers (6-2, 2.37 ERA):
Left for dead, Alvarez climbed off the scrap heap and revived his career.
Livan Hernandez, Montreal Expos
(15-10, 3.20 ERA, 233.1 IP): Pitched 8 complete games -- we like guys that finish what they start.
Mike
Maroth, Detroit Tigers (9-21, 193.1 IP): Lost 21 games, and took it like a man.
Kenny Rogers, Minnesota
Twins (13-8, 194.1 IP): The wily "Gambler" gutted out many big wins.
Johan Santana Minnesota
Twins (12-3, 3.07 ERA, 169 K in 158.1 IP): See Shannon Stewart.
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The 'PEN
Rod Beck, San Diego Padres (20 S - 20
opp, 1.82 ERA): A working class hero -- he was the only person that didn't think he was finished.
Eric
Gagne, Los Angeles Dodgers (1.20 ERA, .133 BAA): The glasses, the hat, the "Game Over" slogan, 55 for 55. He's
the coolest closer this side of Rollie Fingers.
LaTroy Hawkins, Minnesota Twins (9-3, 1.86 ERA):
Couldn't start, couldn't finish, but you won't find a better setup man.
Terry Mulholland, Cleveland Indians
(40 years old, 45 G, 99 IP): The consummate grizzled veteran, the 40-year-old Billy Bob Thornton look alike can still
get hitters out. Plus, he's a great interview.
Ben Weber, Anaheim Angels (5-1, 2.69 ERA, 62 G):
Can't beat his arm pumping wind up-- one of the games true characters.
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Wild Card
Brook
Kieschnick, P/OF, Milwaukee Brewers (1-1, 5.26 ER, 42 G; .300, 7 HR, 70 AB): Can pitch and hit for average
and power -- now, that's our kind of guy.
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