64/60 Sports All Star Special

The Baseball All-Star Game is far and away the best showcase of it's kind in sports. So why do we have to have so much static after each and every vote is completed and rosters announced? "Fans shouldn't vote on who participates!, "Every team shouldn't be represented!", How can _______ be left off the roster?", "Why should the winner of the All Star game win Home Field advantage in the World Series?" these are all common complaints heard after the roster process has been completed. Which leads me with only one question if something is the best of it's kind why break it? As a lifelong fan of baseball there was and is nothing like heading to the ballpark and grabbing two or three ballots, punching out those chads, and voting for whom you fell deserves or who you want to be in the game. Though the internet has taken much of the excitment away from the actual ballot it still doesn't change the fact that you are in control of deciding who participates in the contest. Sure the fans may select two to three players who may not deserve to start but for the most part the fans get it right. Why shouldn't every team be represented in the event. Sure upon occasion this may lead to a .250 hitter with 7 HR making the roster but the fact is every team has a loyal fanbase and though some of these fanbases may be small in number their passion is just the same. Having a player from every team likely doesn't increase the number of eyeballs to the TV screen but it does make those eyeballs happier. Sure every deserving star may not make the team but by the time this person and that person withdraws from the game about every clear cut roster option has been added in some form or fashion and if someone does miss out then so be it, you can't have everything your heart desires. As for Home Field Advantage in the World Series again why not? You can't deny the game is more intense. Sure it's not the Pete Rose barreling over Ray Fosse game of the 70's but at the same time we won't likely have a replay of the tie game incident. Besides how should Home Field be decided? Best Record makes sense I suppose but why should records go into account when only 4% of the games feature common opponents? Or we could always go back to the old way of alternating turns like two children fighting over a 25 cent ring that came from a vending machine.

With all this praise and support for the current format in mind I still can't help myself from critiquing the rosters. With the original rosters in mind and sticking with the roster requirements this would be the 64/60 Approved AL and NL Rosters for Tuesday Nights Showcase. As always the Beer will be free and the women will be running wild a open invitation to all to the 64/60 Headquarters.

AL Roster
C- Alex Avilla, Russel Martin, Matt Wieters
1B- Adrian Gonzalez, Miguel Cabrera, Paul Konerko
2B- Robinson Cano, Howie Kendrick
3B- Alex Rodriguez, Adrian Beltre
SS- Derrek Jeter, Asdrubal Cabrera
OF- Jose Bautista, Curtis Granderson, Josh Hamilton, Jacoby Ellsbury, Matt Joyce, Carlos Quentin
UTIL- David Ortiz (DH), Michael Cuddyer, Michael Young
SP- Josh Beckett, Gio Gonzalez, Felix Hernandez, David Price, James Shields, Justin Verlander, Jered Weaver, CJ Wilson
RP- Aaron Crow, Brandon League, Chris Perez, Mariano Rivera, Jose Valverde


64/60 Proposed Changes

* Remove Jeter from the roster. Asdrubal Cabrera to the starting SS. Add Elvis Andrus for backup SS depth.

* I understand the three C approach but it should be used for worthy canidates. Remove both Martin and Wieters from roster. Add Carlos Santana and his .227 AVG to the roster I'll take the league leading HR and RBI totals from the C position. With the added roster opening insert Mark Teixeira and his .243/25/51/65 slash line.

* Remove Howie Kendrick from roster. Insert Dustin Pedroia as the primary backup at 2B.

* Remove reserve OF's Matt Joyce and Carlos Quentin in favor of Brennan Boesch and Adam Jones whom is more deserving of the Orioles roster spot than Wieters.

* Remove Felix Hernandez, David Price, and CJ Wilson from the pitching staff and add SP Dan Haren, Michael Pineda, and Phil Humber and yes I realize I left out Sabathia.


NL Roster

C- Brian McCann, Yaldier Molina
1B- Prince Fielder, Gaby Sancez, Joey Votto
2B- Rickie Weeks, Brandon Phillips,
3B- Placido Polanco, Chipper Jones (I cannot recall a worse AS Position Selection)
SS- Jose Reyes, Starlin Castro, Troy Tulowitzki
OF- Matt Kemp, Ryan Braun, Lance Berkman, Carlos Beltran, Jay Bruce, Matt Holliday, Hunter Pence, Justin Upton, Shane Victorino
SP- Matt Cain, Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, Jair Jurrgens, Clayton Kershaw, Cliff Lee, Tim Lincecum, Ryan Vogelsong
RP- Heath Bell, Tyler Clippard, Joel Hanrahan, Johnny Venters, Brian Wilson

64/60 Proposed Changes

* Remove Placido Polanco from starting lineup and roster adding Aramis Ramirez as the starting 3B in what is the weakest position in baseball at this point.

* Remove Yaldier Molina from roster and replace with Miguel Montero as backup C.

* Remove Chipper Jones from roster. Add Ryan Roberts and his terrible neck tattoo to serve as backup 3B and Utility option.

* Remove Gaby Sanchez from roster. Add Ryan Howard as third 1B.

* Remove OF's Carlos Beltran and Jay Bruce. Add Andrew McCutchen and Carlos Gonzalez to the roster.

* Remove Hunter Pence as Astros Rep and replace with Michael Bourn.

* Remove Shane Victorino from roster and replace with Leo Nunez for Marlins representative.

* Remove Tim Lincecum from roster. Add Tommy Hanson to roster.

* Remove Tyler Clippard from roster and replace with Drew Storen.

* Remove Johnny Venters from roster and replace with Craig Kimbrel.


* Please note roster is based solely on players voted in by fan vote, player vote and manager vote as well as the online voting. No announced injury replacements have been accounted for.