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The 2004 sBn ALL STAR Team
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Starting Lineup:
C: Victor Martinez, Cleveland Indians (.283, 10
HR, 108 RBI): The 25-year-old is the best young receiver in the AL and will be an All Star for years to come.
1B: Justin Morneau, Minnesota Twins (.271, 19 HR, 58 RBI in 74 games): Finally!!
The power presence the Twins have been waiting for.
2B: Mark Bellhorn, Boston Red
Sox (.373 OBP, 17 RBI, 82 RBI): All or nothing -- led the AL in punch outs with 177, but walked
88 times -- we love that.
3B: Casey Blake, Cleveland Indians (.271, 28 HR, 88 RBI): A
journeyman that always posted solid Triple A numbers, has finally found a home in Cleveland thanks to back-to-back solid seasons.
SS: Khalil Greene, San Diego Padres (.273, 15 HR): We love the long hair, cool name,
and the flair in the field -- will be in a mainstay in Petco for a decade.
LF: Carl Crawford, Tampa Bay Devil Rays (.296, 19 3B, 59 SB): The flashy
OF led the AL in triples and stolen bases.
CF: Torii Hunter, Minnesota Twins (23 HR, 21 SB):
The heart and soul of the 3 time AL Central champs and the best defensive OF in baseball -- bar none.
RF: Adam
Dunn, Cincinnati Reds (46 HR, 102 RBI, 195 K's): The Paul Bunyan of baseball -- set the single
season record for strike outs and took it like a man.
DH: Bucky Jacobson, Seattle Mariners (9 HR,
28 RBI, 160 AB): After posting 26 HR and 86 RBI in 81 games at Triple A Tacoma, the 29-year-old finally got
his chance in the show and made the most of it.
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The Bench:
Henry Blanco, C, Minnesota Twins (threw out 49.2% of base stealers, 10
HR): Stepped in admirably for Joe Mauer, deserves a lot of credit for fellow
Venezuelan, Johan Santana’s Cy Young season.
Rickey Henderson, OF, Newark Bears (45 years old,
37-39 SB, .462 OBP): As Long as Rickey is playing, Rickey will be on this team.
Julio Franco,
1B, Atlanta Braves (.309, 46 years old): The ageless one became the oldest man to hit a grand slam in 2004.
Fred
McGriff, 1B, (493 HR): Sadly, it doesn't look like the "Crime Dog" will reach 500 HR, but we wish him the
best.
Lew Ford, OF, Minnesota Twins (.299, 72 RBI, .381 OBP): Lewwwwwww came out of nowhere
to be the Twins most consistent hitter in 2004.
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The Rotation:
Johan Santana, Minnesota Twins (20-6, 2.61 ERA, 265
K's): The best pitcher of 2004.
Jake Peavy, San Diego (15-6, 2.27 ERA): The 23-year-old
should win a Cy Young someday.
Ben Sheets, Milwaukee Brewers (2.70 ERA, 264 K's):
The best pitcher you've never heard of.
Zack Greinke, Kansas City Royals (3.97 ERA, 100 K's, 26
BB): The 20-year-old gave Royals fans something to cheer about in 2004.
Jose Lima, Los Angeles
Dodgers (13-5, 4.07 ERA): The
firery hurler was a driving force behind the NL West champs.
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The 'Pen
Terry Mulholland, Minnesota Twins (41
years old, 123 1/3 IP): The Twins wouldn't have reached the post season without this versatile veteran.
Jim Brower, San Francisco Giants (89
games, 3.29 ERA): The rubber-armed middle man led the majors in appearances.
Solomon Torres,
Pittsburgh Pirates (84 games, 2.64 ERA): The steady set-up man was a bright spot in the Steel City.
Luis
Ayala, Montreal Expos (81 games, 2.69 ERA): In their final season in Montreal, we needed at least
one Expo. The rock-solid Ayala fit the bill.
Ray King, St. Louis Cardinals (5-2, 2.61 ERA, 86
games): The portly left-hander helped the Cards earn baseball's best record.
Joe Nathan, Minnesota Twins (44 saves, 1.62 ERA):
In his first season as a closer, Nathan proved to be one of the game's best.
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Related sBn.com links:
The 2003 sBn All Stars
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