Earlier today, TBS announced the lineups for the MLB All-Star Game that will be held at Chase Field in Arizona on July 12. There were some surprises and some glaring omissions. They were all discussed by the TBS crew of Matt Winer, Dennis Eckersley, Cal Ripken and David Wells.
Notes from TBS’ exclusive announcement of the MLB All Star teams
Host: Matt Winer, Analysts: Cal Ripken. Jr., Dennis Eckersley and David WellsEckersley on being selected the All-Star Team for the first time: “I’ll never forget…I replaced Nolan Ryan and the game was at Yankee Stadium. You can’t beat that.”
Wells on being selected to the All-Star Team for the first time: “I remember – Texas. It was smokin’ hot! I didn’t come in until later in the game so my nerves were kinda settled. But what you get in that atmosphere…all the players….
Ripken on being selected to the All-Star Team for the first time: “The best part of being in the All-Star Game is you get to be teammates with the game’s greatest players in your league. It’s a special, special room to be in.”
Ripken on the fans voting in the starters: “The fans always put a lineup on the field that’s great. The fans…by and large they do a really good job [voting in the starters]. I’m glad Derek [Jeter] was voted in.”
Eckersley on the fans voting in the starters: “The fans got it right.”
Eckersley on Boston’s Josh Beckett: “This year he has turned it all the way around…[Eckersley says incredibly] a .178 batting average against? He’s back to being the ace for the Boston Red Sox.”
Ripken on Detroit’s Justin Verlander: “He’s quickly becoming one of the game’s best pitchers. He throws 100 mph on the first pitch, and the last pitch, incidentally. It almost appears he has the ability to throw a no-hitter every time out.”
Wells on Los Angeles Angels’ Jered Weaver: “This guy, he’s carving up the American League and a little of the National League in interleague play.”
Eckersley on the absence of Yankees’ CC Sabathia: “Very, very strange. I don’t think it’s going to break his heart.”
Wells on the absence of Yankees’ CC Sabathia: “It’s a little disappointing when you throw up numbers [11 wins, 3.05 ERA] like that and you’re a workhorse. It’s beyond me…
Ripken on the absence of Yankees’ CC Sabathia: “We’re going to miss him.”
Eckersley on Baltimore’s Matt Wieters: “First time the Orioles have had a catcher since Mickey Tettleton.”
Ripken on Boston’s Jacoby Ellsbury: ”He’s emerging as the best lead-off hitter in the game.”
Wells on Chicago White Sox’ Carlos Quentin: “This guy has tremendous pop and he’s a dedicated worker. Very deserved.”
Eckersley on Asdrubal Cabrera: “This is exactly why the Cleveland Indians are where they are [atop of the A.L. Central standings]. [He’s having] almost an MVP-type season.”
Ripken on Detroit’s Miguel Cabrera: “This guy absolutely amazes me. He’s got silly, silly power.”
Wells on Los Angeles Angels’ Howie Kendrick: ”This guy can play every position if you want him to. He’s a very versatile guy.”
Eckersley on Twins’ Michael Cuddyer: “He’s a great guy to have on your team. They [Twins] go the way he goes.”
Ripken on Yankees’ Russell Martin: “It seems like he’s rediscovered his power. He’s got some speed as a catcher. He manages the game behind the place.”
Wells on Tampa Bay’s Matt Joyce: “Zero errors in 78 games out there in right field…pretty good.”
Eckersley on Texas’ Adrian Beltre: “Great free agent signing for Texas, he’s got 61 RBIs so far.”
Ripken on Texas’ Michael Young: “Super versatile. Super team player. Leads by his ultimate example. He can play anywhere.”
American League All Star Game Manager Ron Washington (Rangers) joined the crew via satellite:
Washington discussing keys to success in managing an All-Star team: “Making sure these guys have fun. If the pitching steps up…it should be an exciting day.”
Washington on whether he’ll use many signs in the course of the game: “I will certainly make them aware of certain situations. They have enough experience to know what should happen. I want them to have fun…and the game will dictate what we should do.”
Washington on whether he sought advice about managing the All-Star Game: “I did talk with Jack McKeon. More than anything else, you know, it’s a game and there are quite a few guys in that clubhouse who’ve been through it before. I just want to make sure the talent they have to offer out on the field, I don’t get in the way of it.”
Washington on what factored into CC Sabathia not making the A.L. All-Star Team: “The players chose five starters and CC is the sixth guy. If anybody bails out because they pitch on Sunday, CC is in line to make it.”
Washington on who he is most happy for making the A.L. All-Star Team: “I’m most happy for C.J. Wilson. He’s a workhorse. He never complains. He has a workmanlike attitude and I’m most happy for him. He’s certainly putting together a heck of a year for the Texas Rangers.”
Eckersley on Atlanta’s Jair Jurrjens: “He has a chance to start this game. What an incredible year. He has put himself on top of that Atlanta-rich pitching staff.”
Ripken on Philadelphia’s Roy Halladay: “This guy is the game’s best pitcher. He’s boring he’s so good.”
Wells on Philadelphia’s Cliff Lee: “This guy is a strike machine…he really keeps hitters on their front foot. They can’t just dig in.”
Eckersley on Arizona’s Justin Upton: “This guy has major, major pop.”
Ripken on Atlanta’s Chipper Jones: “This is one of my personal favorites. He might be the greatest switch-hitter in the game.”
Wells on Chicago Cubs’ Starlin Castro: “He’s a hit machine. He’s on pace to get a couple hundred hits. He’s a very exciting young player and will be there in year’s to come.”
Eckersley on Cincinnati’s Brandon Phillips: “Big, big battle at second base. He could’ve been a starter.”
Ripken on Cincinnati’s Jay Bruce: “He’s a great young player. He’s a comer.”
Wells on Cincinnati’s Joey Votto: “He’s a one-man wrecking machine. He can carry the team on his back.”
Eckersley on Colorado’s Troy Tulowitzki: “He was my preseason pick for MVP. What a terrific player.”
Ripken on Florida’s Gaby Sanchez: “Big power, big RBI guy.”
Wells on Houston’s Hunter Pence: “He’s a very exciting player. I’m excited for Houston because he’s giving Houston something to cheer about.”
Eckersley on New York Mets’ Carlos Beltran: “He’s been hurt for a couple years. Five tool player when he signed with the Mets.”
Ripken on St. Louis’ Matt Holliday: “He’s certainly missed a big chunk of the season but he’s still very productive. He’s got great power. Great hitter.”
Wells on St. Louis’ Yadier Molina: “He’s a pitcher’s dream. He can handle anybody in anybody’s rotation. That’s why he’s an All-Star.”
National League All Star Game Manager Bruce Bochy (Giant) joined the crew via satellite
Bochy on his bias towards his own Giants’ Ryan Vogelsong making the N.L. All-Star Team: “He’s a big reason why we’re in first place…he’s very deserving.”
Bochy on handling a great pitching staff and stretching out his starter for three innings: “We have talked about stretching these guys out, the starters. Vogelsong would be our long guy. We have to have a plan in case the game goes 16 innings we have to have enough pitchers.”
Bochy on memories of 1999 managing the All-Star Game: “First of all, ’99 was in Boston with Ted Williams. It was a special day with all the legends out there. That’s my biggest memory.”
On noticeable absences:
Ripken on his most noticeable absentees that didn’t make the All-Star Teams: ”I thought [Atlanta’s] Tommy Hansen. Sometimes you’re victimized by how good the other starters on your team are. Maybe you should expand the rosters even a little more.”
Eckersley on the toughest positions and the most noticeable absence: “I was telling you before about playing the wrong position in both leagues. I think first base is like that. [Ryan] Howard in Philly with 60 RBIs. [New York Yankees Mark] Texeira with 25 home runs. There’s two guys there. Then you talk about the pitchers. [Jon] Lester is having a good year in Boston….”
Wells on most noticeable absences: “I agree with you on Lester. When you see guys with 10 wins, it’s tough you can’t take all the guys.”
Ripken: “Should there be a stat that says you’re automatically in? Should 10 wins be enough? If you’re leading the league in home runs or RBIs? Let’s change the rule.”
TBS game analyst John Smoltz weighing in on his thoughts on noticeable absentee CC Sabathia: “I think CC Sabathia should be on this team. You can probably do another show on the guys that don’t get in.”
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American League starters:
C – Alex Avila, DET
1B – Adrian Gonzalez, BOS
2B – Robinson Cano, NYY
3B – Alex Rodriguez, NYY
SS – Derek Jeter, NYY
OF – Jose Bautista, TOR
OF – Josh Hamilton, TEX
OF – Curtis Granderson, NYY
DH – David Ortiz, BOSPitchers:
Josh Beckett, BOS
Chris Perez, CLE
Jose Valverde, DET
Jason Verlander, DET
Gio Gonzalez, OAK
Aaron Crow, KC
Jered Weaver, LAA
Mariano Rivera, NYY
Felix Hernandez, SEA
Brandon League, SEA
David Price, TB
James Shields, TB
C.J. Wilson, TEXReserves:
2B – Howie Kendrick, LAA
3B – Adrian Beltre, TEX
DH – Michael Young, TEX
OF – Matt Joyce, TB
1B – Miguel Cabrera, DET
SS – Asdrubal Cabrera, CLE
OF – Jacoby Ellsbury, BOS
C – Matt Wieters, BAL, Russell Martin, NYY
OF – Carlos Quentin, CWS
OF – Michael Cuddyer, MINNational League starters:
C – Brian McCann, ATL
1B – Albert Pujols, STL, Prince Fielder, MIL
2B – Rickie Weeks, MIL
3B – Placido Polanco, PHL
SS – Jose Reyes, NYM
OF – Ryan Braun, MIL
OF – Lance Berkman, StL
OF – Matt Kemp, LADPitchers:
Roy Halladay, PHL
Josh Johnson, FLA
Tim Lincecum, SF
Tim Hudson, ATL
Jonathan Broxton, LAD
Arthur Rhodes, CIN
Adam Wainwright, STL
Chris Carpenter, STL
Brian Wilson, SF
Evan Meek, PIT
Ubaldo Jimenez, COL
Matt Capps, WSH
Yovani Gallardo, COLReserves:
C – Yadier Molina, StL
2B – Brandon Phillips, CIN
OF – Matt Holliday, StL
3B – Chipper Jones, ATL
SS – Troy Tulowitzki, COL
1B – Joey Votto, CIN
That will do it.
