Four Sox are elected to start the 2008 All Star game, and three more were selected by AL skipper Terry Francona
The votes have been tallied and the bribes have been paid (kidding) and today the 2008 All Star squad was announced, and not surprisingly the roster is dotted with Red Sox.
Here's the starting lineup (and reserves) for the American League:
C-Joe Mauer, MIN (Jason Varitek, BOS; Dioner Navarro, TB)
1B-Kevin Youkilis, BOS (Justin Morneau, MIN)
2B-Dustin Pedroia, BOS (Ian Kinsler, TEX)
3B-Alex Rodriguez, NYY (Michael Young, TEX)
SS-Derek Jeter, NYY (Joe Crede, CWS; Carlos Guillen, DET)
OF-Manny Ramirez, BOS (JD Drew, BOS)
OF-Ichiro, SEA (Carlos Quentin, CWS)
OF-Josh Hamilton, TEX (Grady Sizemore, CLE)
DH-David Ortiz, BOS (Milton Bradley, TEX)
Ever since internet voting became commonplace in the late '90s, and Nomar snuck in as the starting shortstop thanks to like 1 million last minute votes cast by a gang of over zealous, computer savvy Nation members, there has been a sizeable Red Sox prescense on the AL squad.
This year was no different as four Sox won their respective positions and Jason Varitek came within 145K votes of topping the Twins Joe Mauer, and two other Sox, Mike Lowell and Julio Lugo(!) finished in the top five at their postitions.
You know you've got a supportive fanbase when a stiff like Lugo, batting .262 with one homer, 17 RBI and 16 errors, cracks the top 5.
In addition to the four elcted Sox, manager Terry Francona also took his right fielder, Drew, his catcher, Captain Tek, and his closer, Jonathan Papelbon.
No cries of homerism here by Tito as each of them deserve a spot on the squad.
As we all know the game will be played in the Bronx to comemmorate the final season of the House that Filth Built, yet only two Stanks were chosen to represent the AL: the ever-present A-Rod, a.k.a the Prima Madonna, and Derek Jeter, who is having one of his worst seasons, offensively and defensively, of his career.
Way to show loyalty for your floundering team, Stankee fans!
The team that tied Boston for the most selections was the Chicago Cubs, owners of the best record in the National League and another team, like the Sox, that sells out every game and has a huge national following, two key factors for garnering a lot of votes.
Here are the NL Starters:
C-Giovany Soto, CHC
1B-Lance Berkman, HOU
2B-Chase Utley, PHI
3B-Chipper Jones, ATL
SS-Hanley Ramirez, FLA
OF-Alfonso Soriano, CHC
OF-Ken Griffey Jr, CIN
OF-Kosuke Fukudome, CHC
The manager for the senior circuit is Rockies skipper Clint Hurdle. The game will be played July 15th at Yankee Stadium.
For a complete list of the rosters, click here. And Sox fans sit back and enjoy watching a slew of your own representing the league in the house of the enemy. Read More......
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