The 2012 MLB All-Star game will be held on July 10, 2012 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, home of the Royals. This will mark the third time the Midsummer Classic has been played in Kansas City. Last year the game, which pits the American League against the National League, was played at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, home of the Diamondbacks. The National League was victorious, 5-1 with Prince Fielder garnering MVP honors with a game-winning home run. Fox will televise the 83rd edition of the contest.
Here are the starting lineups for Tuesday night’s game as vote by the fans:
American League
C – Mike Napoli, Rangers
1B – Prince Fielder, Tigers
2B – Robinson Cano, Yankees
3B – Adrian Beltre, Rangers
SS – Derek Jeter, Yankees
OF – Josh Hamilton, Rangers
OF – Curtis Granderson, Yankees
OF – Jose Bautista, Blue Jays
DH – David Ortiz, Red Sox
National League
C – Buster Posey, Giants
1B – Joey Votto, Reds
2B – Dan Uggla, Braves
3B – Pablo Sandoval, Giants
SS – Rafael Furcal, Cardinals
OF – Matt Kemp, Dodgers
OF – Melky Cabrera, Giants
OF – Carlos Beltran, Cardinals
Due to injury, Matt Kemp will not be able to participate. Ryan Braun of the Brewers will take his place.
Each team will also have at least additional 26 pitchers and reserves to fill out their rosters. When you add in the players that are replacing those that are injured, like Kemp, the total number of All-Stars will be around 75.
You would think with that many competitors, all of the top players would be participating. You would think that all the very best of the best would be represented. You would think that no superstar would be absent from the game.
Well, you would be wrong.
Oh, this isn’t about players that were snubbed. Sure, you could make a good case that Zach Greinke, James McDonald and Johnny Cueto all got screwed and deserved to be All-Stars. But that’s not what I am talking about. Those aren’t the high profile players that won’t be in Kansas City Tuesday night.
No, this absentee group of nine megastars is so elite that their combined salaries is only $637,870 less than that of the total team payrolls of the Astros, Athletics and Padres added together.
Based on data from USAToday.com, I give you my 2012 Big $$$ Non All-Stars:
C – Brian McCann, Braves – $11,500,000
1B – Mark Teixeira, Yankees – $23,125,000
2B – Chase Utley, Phillies – $15,285,714
3B – Alex Rodriguez, Yankees – $30,000,000
SS – Jose Reyes, Marlins – $11,000,000
OF – Vernon Wells, Angels – $24,187,500
OF – Carl Crawford, Red Sox – $20,257,142
OF – Alfonso Soriano, Cubs – $19,000,000
DH – Michael Young, Rangers – $16,174,974
Total Salary - $170,630,330
Here are the figures for the three teams that I mentioned:
Houston Astros - $60,651,000
Oakland Athletics - $55,372,500
San Diego Padres - $55, 244, 700
Total - $171,268,200
In fact, the Big $$$ Non All-Stars combined salary is larger than every Major League team’s entire payroll except for the Yankees, Phillies and Red Sox. Just think if I would have added a pitcher to the Non All-Star team. Put Met hurler Johan Santana on the team and total is approaching 194 million dollars.
Obviously, a grave injustice has been done to the Big $$$ Non All-Stars. It is crystal clear, that based on their exorbitant salaries, they should be playing ball at Kauffman Stadium on Tuesday night. Players making that much money do not need any extra days off. They should be entertaining us every day from April to November.
Hopefully these glaring omissions won’t spoil your All-Star experience. I sill plan on watching the game because my favorite player, Prince Fielder is playing. He doesn’t take days off. He can’t afford to, he’s only making $23,000,000, not $23,125,000 like Teixeira. Enjoy the game.
Until next time…from the booth.
Here are the starting lineups for Tuesday night’s game as vote by the fans:
American League
C – Mike Napoli, Rangers
1B – Prince Fielder, Tigers
2B – Robinson Cano, Yankees
3B – Adrian Beltre, Rangers
SS – Derek Jeter, Yankees
OF – Josh Hamilton, Rangers
OF – Curtis Granderson, Yankees
OF – Jose Bautista, Blue Jays
DH – David Ortiz, Red Sox
National League
C – Buster Posey, Giants
1B – Joey Votto, Reds
2B – Dan Uggla, Braves
3B – Pablo Sandoval, Giants
SS – Rafael Furcal, Cardinals
OF – Matt Kemp, Dodgers
OF – Melky Cabrera, Giants
OF – Carlos Beltran, Cardinals
Due to injury, Matt Kemp will not be able to participate. Ryan Braun of the Brewers will take his place.
Each team will also have at least additional 26 pitchers and reserves to fill out their rosters. When you add in the players that are replacing those that are injured, like Kemp, the total number of All-Stars will be around 75.
You would think with that many competitors, all of the top players would be participating. You would think that all the very best of the best would be represented. You would think that no superstar would be absent from the game.
Well, you would be wrong.
Oh, this isn’t about players that were snubbed. Sure, you could make a good case that Zach Greinke, James McDonald and Johnny Cueto all got screwed and deserved to be All-Stars. But that’s not what I am talking about. Those aren’t the high profile players that won’t be in Kansas City Tuesday night.
No, this absentee group of nine megastars is so elite that their combined salaries is only $637,870 less than that of the total team payrolls of the Astros, Athletics and Padres added together.
Based on data from USAToday.com, I give you my 2012 Big $$$ Non All-Stars:
C – Brian McCann, Braves – $11,500,000
1B – Mark Teixeira, Yankees – $23,125,000
2B – Chase Utley, Phillies – $15,285,714
3B – Alex Rodriguez, Yankees – $30,000,000
SS – Jose Reyes, Marlins – $11,000,000
OF – Vernon Wells, Angels – $24,187,500
OF – Carl Crawford, Red Sox – $20,257,142
OF – Alfonso Soriano, Cubs – $19,000,000
DH – Michael Young, Rangers – $16,174,974
Total Salary - $170,630,330
Here are the figures for the three teams that I mentioned:
Houston Astros - $60,651,000
Oakland Athletics - $55,372,500
San Diego Padres - $55, 244, 700
Total - $171,268,200
In fact, the Big $$$ Non All-Stars combined salary is larger than every Major League team’s entire payroll except for the Yankees, Phillies and Red Sox. Just think if I would have added a pitcher to the Non All-Star team. Put Met hurler Johan Santana on the team and total is approaching 194 million dollars.
Obviously, a grave injustice has been done to the Big $$$ Non All-Stars. It is crystal clear, that based on their exorbitant salaries, they should be playing ball at Kauffman Stadium on Tuesday night. Players making that much money do not need any extra days off. They should be entertaining us every day from April to November.
Hopefully these glaring omissions won’t spoil your All-Star experience. I sill plan on watching the game because my favorite player, Prince Fielder is playing. He doesn’t take days off. He can’t afford to, he’s only making $23,000,000, not $23,125,000 like Teixeira. Enjoy the game.
Until next time…from the booth.
No comments:
Post a Comment