The American League is the 'Cradle' for Dominican Stars
By Nelson Santana
July 6, 2010
This past Sunday Major League Baseball revealed the names of players who will participate in this year’s All-Star Game – a spectacular event that brings together the best baseball players in North American baseball.
As such, the current list is actually preliminary since one week remains until the Midsummer Classic. During that week several of the players selected to participate will not attend the series of events – including the Home Run Derby and All-Star Game – either because they will decide to stay home and relax or heal from an injury.
Hence, it is important to note that not all players elected to participate will be in Anaheim, the city that will host the 2010 All-Star series of events on the 12 and 13 of July.
13 Dominicans Make the All-Star Team
The preliminary list of names includes 13 Dominicans who were selected to represent their respective teams in Anaheim.
The support of the fans is always important to the morale of any athlete. In the American League the fans elected as starters Robinson Cano, second baseman of the New York Yankees and Vladimir Guerrero, designated hitter of the Texas Rangers. Guerrero and Cano are the only two Dominican starters for the American League. The two Dominican National League starters voted by the fans are first baseman Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals and Florida Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez.
Though it has not been confirmed, there is speculation that Ubaldo Jimenez of the Colorado Rockies will be the National League starting pitcher for the All-Star Game.
American League:
Robinson Cano – Second Baseman, New York Yankees
[BATTING AVERAGE=.343] [HITS=181] [RUNS=59] [HOMERUNS=16]
[RUNS BATTED IN=55] [WALKS=25] [STOLEN BASES=2]
Vladimir Guerrero – Designated Hitter, Texas Rangers
[BATTING AVERAGE =.330] [HITS=98] [RUNS=52] [HOMERUNS =18]
[RUNS BATTED IN =70] [WALKS=20] [STOLEN BASES=4]
Alex Rodríguez – Third Baseman, New York Yankees
[BATTING AVERAGE =.276] [HITS=79] [RUNS=43] [HOMERUNS =12]
[RUNS BATTED IN =62] [WALKS=33] [STOLEN BASES=2]
David Ortiz – Designated Hitter, Boston Red Sox
[BATTING AVERAGE =.259] [HITS=60] [RUNS=43] [HOMERUNS =17]
[RUNS BATTED IN =54] [WALKS=39] [STOLEN BASES=0]
Fausto Carmona – Starting Pitcher, Cleveland Indians
[EARNED RUNS AVERAGE=3.69] [EARNED RUNS=45]
[WINS=7] [LOSES=7] [STRIKEOUTS=57]
[INNINGS PITCHED=109.2] [COMPLETE GAMES=2]
Neftalí Feliz – Relief Pitcher, Texas Rangers
[EARNED RUNS AVERAGE =3.00] [EARNED RUNS =12]
[SAVES=22] [WINS=1] [LOSES=2]
[STRIKEOUTS=40] [INNINGS PITCHED=36]
José Valverde – Relief Pitcher, Detroit Tigers
[EARNED RUNS AVERAGE=1.00] [EARNED RUNS =4]
[SAVES=18] [WINS=1] [LOSES=1]
[STIKEOUTS=33] [INNINGS PITCHED=36]
José Bautista – Outfielder, Toronto Blue Jays
[BATTING AVERAGE =.236] [HITS=67] [RUNS=50] [HOMERUNS =21]
[RUNS BATTED IN =52] [WALKS=50] [STOLEN BASES=3]
Adrián Beltre – Third Baseman, Boston Red Sox
[BATTING AVERAGE =.341] [HITS=103] [RUNS=40] [HOMERUNS =12]
[RUNS BATTED IN =53] [WALKS=18] [STOLEN BASES=1]
National League:
Albert Pujols – First Baseman, St. Louis Cardinals
[BATTING AVERAGE =.305] [HITS=91] [RUNS=48] [HOMERUNS =20]
[RUNS BATTED IN =60] [WALKS=56] [STOLEN BASES=9]
Hanley Ramírez – Short Stop, Florida Marlins
[BATTING AVERAGE =.298] [HITS=89] [RUNS=47] [HOMERUNS =13]
[RUNS BATTED IN =52] [WALKS=39] [STOLEN BASES=15]
Ubaldo Jiménez – Starting Pitcher, Colorado Rockies
[EARNED RUNS AVERAGE=2.27] [EARNED RUNS=30]
[WINS=14] [LOSES=1] [STIKEOUTS=107]
[INNINGS PITCHED=119] [COMPLETE GAMES=3]
José Reyes – Short Stop, New York Mets
[BATTING AVERAGE =.277] [HITS=86] [RUNS=51] [HOMERUNS =6]
[RUNS BATTED IN =32] [WALKS=19] [STOLEN BASES=19]
NOTES:
Albert Pujols received the most votes in the National League. American League catcher Joe Mauer of the Minnesota Twins was the top vote getter.
The most contested race was for the starting third baseman in the National League. David Wright overcame the Dominican Placido Polanco.
The only Puerto Rican representative is Yadier Molina of the St. Louis Cardinals.
José Reyes was elected by fans to start the game. Unfortunately he will be unable to partake in the game due to an injury.
Vladimir Guerrero played six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. At the All-Star Game he will represent his new team, the Texas Rangers, at his previous home.
Including this season, Alex Rodriguez has been selected 13 times to participate in the All-Star Game.
Each league has five players of which the fans will have the opportunity to vote for one to complete the 32-man roster for each league.
Traditionally, the American League takes more Dominican players to the All-Star Game than the National League. This year is no exception.
Complete List of 2010 All-Star Game Rosers
American League:
Starters
Position / Name / Team
Reserves
National League:
Starters
Position / Name / Team
Reserves