2014 MLB All Star Rosters Announced

 What exactly is an All Star? By definition, an "All-star" in sports is an individual named to an "all-star" roster or team representing the top performers during and before the end of a season in a given sport. It's supposed to mean they are the best players in their sports at a given time. We have hit the time of year in Major League Baseball where we get the best players in the game of baseball right now to one spot, in this years case, Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The best players on the field this year will get together, with the winning league getting home field advantage in the World Series. That has been a topic of debate the last few years, as to whether or not home field should be determined by the All Star game, but at the end of the day it really does add another level of excitement to the game. But lets move on shall we.

The game is set for July 14th at 8PM and, since we are a week away from the game, the rosters have been announced for the big day. Some guys got in who deserved to be, while others really got snubbed and left out in the cold. So lets take a look at the guys who got into the mid-summer classic, and then the guys who were left out.

Lets start with the National League.

Starters:
C Yadier Molina Cardinals (6th appearance)
1B Paul Goldschmidt Diamondbacks (2nd appearance)
2B Chase Utley Phillies (6th appearance)
3B Aramis Ramírez Brewers (3rd appearance)
SS Troy Tulowitzki Rockies (4th appearance)
OF Andrew McCutchen Pirates (4th appearance)
OF Carlos Gómez Brewers (2nd appearance)
OF Yasiel Puig Dodgers (1st appearance)

National League Reserves:
C Jonathan Lucroy Brewers (1st appearance)
C Devin Mesoraco Reds (1st appearance)
1B Freddie Freeman Braves (2nd appearance)
2B Dee Gordon Dodgers (1st appearance)
2B Daniel Murphy Mets (1st appearance)
SS Starlin Castro Cubs (3rd appearance)
3B Matt Carpenter Cardinals (2nd appearance)
3B Todd Frazier Reds (1st appearance)
OF Charlie Blackmon Rockies (1st appearance)
OF Josh Harrison Pirates (1st appearance)
OF Hunter Pence Giants (3rd appearance)
OF Giancarlo Stanton Marlins (2nd appearance)

National League Pitchers:
Madison Bumgarner Giants (2nd appearance)
Aroldis Chapman Reds (3rd appearance)
Johnny Cueto Reds (1st appearance)
Clayton Kershaw Dodgers (4th appearance)
Zack Greinke Dodgers (2nd appearance)
Craig Kimbrel Braves (4th appearance)
Pat Neshek Cardinals (1st appearance)
Francisco Rodriguez Brewers (5th appearance)
Tyson Ross Padres (1st appearance)
Julio Teherán Braves (1st appearance)
Adam Wainwright Cardinals (3rd appearance)
Tony Watson Pirates (1st appearance)
Jordan Zimmermann Nationals (2nd appearance)

With the National League, there were a few names I was surprised got snubbed from the mid-summer classic. First off lets start behind the plate. The starting catcher, there is not argument, Yadier Molina deserves the nod. He has been the gold standard at the position in the National League for quite some time now. As far as the backup catchers go, there's one guy who should have gotten stronger consideration, in the minds of some at least, that being Buster Posey of the Giants. Now Jonathan Lucroy has been outstanding for the Brewers, as he's the best hitting catcher in the league right now. So that one was a given. Same thing with Molena. But Posey hasn't put up the MVP type numbers people are used to seeing. The three NL catchers have had better years than Posey, which is why he got snubbed. There are two guys who have put up good numbers but are gonna miss out on the game are Casey McGee of the Marlins and Anthony Rendon of the Nationals (both of whom are nominated for the final spot in the National League). Both of those guys are hitting better than Aramis Ramirez of the Brewers, who was elected starter. That's one of the things that has always bothered me about fan voting, because it becomes a popularity contest rather than who really is the best. But I digress. Both guys, Rendon and McGee have better RBI, Power and average numbers than Ramirez. So you figure it out.

That's what the National League looks like. Now here's the Starters for the American League:
C Matt Wieters# Orioles (3rd appearance)
1B Miguel Cabrera Tigers (9th appearance)
2B Robinson Canó Mariners (6th appearance)
3B Josh Donaldson Athletics (1st appearance)
SS Derek Jeter Yankees (14th appearance)
OF José Bautista Blue Jays (5th appearance)
OF Mike Trout Angels (3rd appearance)
OF Adam Jones Orioles (4th appearance)
DH Nelson Cruz Orioles (3rd appearance)

*Salvador Perez was named starter in place of Matt Wieters due to injury, and Kurt Suzuki was named as the roster replacement for Wieters.

American League Reserves:
C Salvador Pérez Royals (2nd appearance)
C Derek Norris Athletics (1st appearance)
C Kurt Suzuki Twins (1st appearance)
1B José Abreu White Sox (1st appearance)
1B Brandon Moss Athletics (1st appearance)
2B José Altuve Astros (2nd appearance)
3B Adrián Beltré Rangers (4th appearance)
3B Kyle Seager Mariners (1st appearance)
SS Alexei Ramírez White Sox (1st appearance)
OF Michael Brantley Indians (1st appearance)
OF Yoenis Céspedes Athletics (1st appearance)
OF Alex Gordon Royals (2nd appearance)
DH Edwin Encarnación Blue Jays (2nd appearance but hurt and replaced by Kyle Seager)
DH Víctor Martínez Tigers (5th appearance)

Finally the American League Pitchers:
Dellin Betances Yankees (1st appearance)
Mark Buehrle Blue Jays (5th appearance)
Yu Darvish Rangers (3rd appearance)
Sean Doolittle Athletics (1st appearance)
Félix Hernández Mariners (5th appearance)
Greg Holland Royals (2nd appearance)
Jon Lester Red Sox (3rd appearance)
Scott Kazmir Athletics (3rd appearance)
Glen Perkins Twins (2nd appearance)
David Price Rays (4th appearance)
Max Scherzer Tigers (2nd appearance)
Masahiro Tanaka Yankees (1st appearance)

The American League got it right on the best players in the league. The only one who got left off was Alex Rios of the Texas Rangers, but at the same time there are just too many talented players in the Outfield, and he just happened to be the odd man out. Otherwise the American League got it right by sending the best players.

The game is set for July 14th at 8PM on Fox!