MLB Second-Half All-Stars

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DENVER - SEPTEMBER 25: Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki #2 of the Colorado Rockies celibrates after scoring the game-winning run against the St. Louis Cardinals on a sacrifice fly by Yorvit Torrealba in the ninth inning at Coors Field on September 25, 2009 in D

The Major League Baseball All-Star Game is dumb. There are tons of reasons.

My biggest pet peeve is that it's during the middle of the season. Why? Because it really doesn't prove who is the best player at each position. It only proves who was decent during the first half of the season.

So if we celebrate the first-half studs of the baseball season, why shouldn't we celebrate the second-half players?

I didn't divide it into AL/NL—I just took the two best players from each position, five starters, two relievers (yes, relievers count), and two closers.

Without further adieu, here are baseball's second-half studs...

Catcher: Joe Mauer (Minnesota Twins)

ARLINGTON, TX - JULY 17: Catcher Joe Mauer #7 of the Minnesota Twins on July 17, 2009 at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Mauer was the best catcher in the first half...and he's the best catcher in the second half. MVP anybody?

Second-half stats: .368 avg, 13 HR, 43 RBI, 1.030 OPS

Reserve: Brian McCann (Atl | .273 avg, 13 HR, 53 RBI, .838 OPS)

First Base: Derrek Lee (Chicago Cubs)

CHICAGO - AUGUST 28: Derrek Lee #25 of the Chicago Cubs hits the ball against the New York Mets on August 28, 2009 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs defeated the Mets 5-2. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

After a tremendously slow start, D-Lee has exploded in the second half. He should finish in the top-five for MVP voting.

Second-half stats: .336 avg, 18 HR, 52 RBI, 1.104 OPS

Reserve: Ryan Howard (Phi | .300 avg, 21 HR, 69 RBI, .988 OPS)

Second Base: Howie Kendrick (Los Angeles Angels)

ANAHEIM, CA - AUGUST 29: Howie Kendrick #47 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim bats against the Oakland Athletics at Angel Stadium on August 29, 2009 in Anaheim, California. The Athletics defeated the Angels 4-3. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

From potential bust to star, Kendrick is another potent bat in the Halos offense. He's really rejuvenated himself.

Second-half stats: .379 avg, 6 HR, 35 RBI, 1.002 OPS

Reserve: Robinson Cano (Nyy | .338 avg, 11 HR, 34 RBI, .925 OPS)

Shortstop: Troy Tulowitzki (Colorado Rockies)

PHOENIX - SEPTEMBER 20: Infielder Troy Tulowitzki #2 of the Colorado Rockies fields a ground ball out during the major league baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 20, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Rockies defeated th

From needing a benching earlier in the year to being the Rockies' MVP, Tulowitzki's second half is extraordinary.

Second-half stats: .329 avg, 14 HR, 49 RBI, .999 OPS, 7 SB

Reserve: Hanley Ramirez (Fla | .347 avg, 10 HR, 44 RBI, .953 OPS, 13 SB)

Third Base: Ryan Zimmerman (Washington Nationals)

ST. LOUIS, MO - JULY 14: National League All-Star Ryan Zimmerman of the Washington Nationals tips his hat during introductions before the 2009 MLB All-Star Game at Busch Stadium on July 14, 2009 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Im

Ryan Zimmerman was a deserving All-Star. He should also win the NL's Silver Slugger and Gold Glove at third.

Second-half stats: .289 avg, 17 HR, 48 RBI, .949 OPS

Reserve: Aramis Ramirez (Chc | .316 avg, 11 HR, 47 RBI, .936 OPS)

*Note: Michael Young would be here for sure had it not been for injury.

Left Field: Matt Holliday (St. Louis Cardinals)

DENVER - SEPTEMBER 25: Matt Holliday #15 of the St. Louis Cardinals singles in the sixth inning off of relief pitcher Jose Contreras of the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on September 25, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Nobody in baseball has had a better second half than Matt Holliday. Getting out of Oakland into St. Louis really helped.

Second-half stats: .358 avg, 16 HR, 62 RBI, 1.057 OPS

Reserve: Ryan Braun (Mil | .319 avg, 14 HR, 48 RBI, .922 OPS, 9 SB)

Center Field: Rajai Davis (Oakland Athletics)

ANAHEIM, CA - AUGUST 29: Rajai Davis #11 of the Oakland Athletics bats against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium on August 29, 2009 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Rajai Davis could be the underrated player of the year. He's the best offensive player on the wretched Athletics offense.

Second-half stats: .339 avg, 1 HR, 41 RBI, .852 OPS, 29 SB

Reserve: Matt Kemp (Lad | .282 avg, 15 HR, 50 RBI, .839 OPS, 15 SB)

Right Field: Andre Ethier (Los Angeles Dodgers)

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 14: Andre Ethier #16 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Dodger Stadium on September 14, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Mr. Clutch is having a great second half. After a sluggish first half, Ethier found his swing.

Second-half stats: .310 avg, 13 HR, 48 RBI, .964 OPS

Reserve: Michael Cuddyer (Min | .283 avg, 16 HR, 41 RBI, .860 OPS)

Designated Hitter: Hideki Matsui (New York Yankees)

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 25: Hideki Matsui #55 of The New York Yankees hits the ball against The Boston Red Sox during their game on September 25, 2009 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx Borough of New York. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Not that he had a terrible first half, but Matsui is hitting the ball better in the second half.

Second-half stats: .298 avg, 14 HR, 48 RBI, .914 OPS

Reserve: Adam Lind (Tor | .294 avg, 13 HR, 50 RBI, .892 OPS)

Starting Pitcher: Adam Wainwright (St. Louis Cardinals)

DENVER - SEPTEMBER 26: Starting pitcher Adam Wainright #50 of the St. Louis Cardinals delivers against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on September 26, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. Wainright earned the win as the Cardinals clinched the National League C

Adam Wainwright is having a great year...and his great second half is helping his Cy Young campaign.

Second-half stats: 9-3, 1.96 ERA, 89 Ks, 1.10 WHIP

Starting Pitcher: Zack Greinke (Kansas City Royals)

KANSAS CITY, MO - JUNE 17: Starting pitcher Zack Greinke #23 of the Kansas City Royals pitches just prior to the start of the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on June 17, 2009 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Ge

What a turnaround for Greinke. He's having one of the best pitched seasons in baseball history, and hasn't slowed in the second half.

Second-half stats: 5-3, 2.02 ERA, 100 Ks, 1.03 WHIP

Starting Pitcher: Chris Carpenter (St. Louis Cardinals)

DENVER - SEPTEMBER 25: Starting pitcher Chris Carpenter #29 of the St. Louis Cardinals delivers against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on September 25, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. The Rockies defeated the Cardinals 2-1. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty

Carpenter-Wainwright is a devastating one-two punch...especially since both of them maintained it in the second half.

Second-half stats: 9-1, 2.16 ERA, 74 Ks, 1.13 WHIP

Starting Pitcher: CC Sabathia (New York Yankees)

BALTIMORE - SEPTEMBER 02: CC Sabathia #52 of the New York Yankees pitches against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards on September 2, 2009 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

CC Sabathia didn't have a great first half. But he's played for the paycheck that he's getting in the second half.

Second-half stats: 11-1, 2.36 ERA, 99 Ks, 1.04 WHIP

Starting Pitcher: Bronson Arroyo (Cincinnati Reds)

CINCINNATI - APRIL 09: Bronson Arroyo #61 of the Cincinnati Reds throws a pitch during the game against the New York Mets at Great American Ball Park on April 9, 2009 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

How much has Arroyo's second half been better than his first? His second-half ERA is less than half his first-half ERA.

Second-half stats: 5-5, 2.34 ERA, 62 Ks, 1.08 WHIP

Relief Pitcher: Phil Hughes (New York Yankees)

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 26: Phil Hughes #65 of the New York Yankees pitches against the Boston Red Sox during the game on September 26, 2009 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Phil Hughes has continued his reliability as a middle reliever into the second half.

Second-half stats: 13 Holds, 1.44 ERA, 43 Ks, 0.93 WHIP

Reserve: Jose Mijares (Min | 15 Holds, 2.27 ERA, 29 Ks, 0.95 WHIP)

Closer: Mariano Rivera (New York Yankees)

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 07: Mariano Rivera #42 of the New York Yankees pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays during the game on September 7, 2009 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Rivera is having yet another fantastic year. Having hit the 500 save mark earlier in the season, he has continued his dominance in the second half.

Second-half stats: 21 saves, 0.99 ERA, 28 Ks, 0.95 WHIP

Reserve: Jose Valverde (Hou | 17 saves, 1.16 ERA, 30 Ks, 1.06 WHIP)

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MLB Second-Half All-Stars

By
D.A.
(Senior Writer) on September 28, 2009

Catcher: Joe Mauer (Minnesota Twins)

First Base: Derrek Lee (Chicago Cubs)

Second Base: Howie Kendrick (Los Angeles Angels)

Shortstop: Troy Tulowitzki (Colorado Rockies)

Third Base: Ryan Zimmerman (Washington Nationals)

Left Field: Matt Holliday (St. Louis Cardinals)

Center Field: Rajai Davis (Oakland Athletics)

Right Field: Andre Ethier (Los Angeles Dodgers)

Designated Hitter: Hideki Matsui (New York Yankees)

Starting Pitcher: Adam Wainwright (St. Louis Cardinals)

Starting Pitcher: Zack Greinke (Kansas City Royals)

Starting Pitcher: Chris Carpenter (St. Louis Cardinals)

Starting Pitcher: CC Sabathia (New York Yankees)

Starting Pitcher: Bronson Arroyo (Cincinnati Reds)

Relief Pitcher: Phil Hughes (New York Yankees)

Closer: Mariano Rivera (New York Yankees)

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MLB Second-Half All-Stars

By D.A. (Senior Writer) on September 28, 2009

Catcher: Joe Mauer (Minnesota Twins)

First Base: Derrek Lee (Chicago Cubs)

Second Base: Howie Kendrick (Los Angeles Angels)

Shortstop: Troy Tulowitzki (Colorado Rockies)

Third Base: Ryan Zimmerman (Washington Nationals)

Left Field: Matt Holliday (St. Louis Cardinals)

Center Field: Rajai Davis (Oakland Athletics)

Right Field: Andre Ethier (Los Angeles Dodgers)

Designated Hitter: Hideki Matsui (New York Yankees)

Starting Pitcher: Adam Wainwright (St. Louis Cardinals)

Starting Pitcher: Zack Greinke (Kansas City Royals)

Starting Pitcher: Chris Carpenter (St. Louis Cardinals)

Starting Pitcher: CC Sabathia (New York Yankees)

Starting Pitcher: Bronson Arroyo (Cincinnati Reds)

Relief Pitcher: Phil Hughes (New York Yankees)

Closer: Mariano Rivera (New York Yankees)

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14 Comments

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By
D.A.
(Senior Writer) on September 28, 2009

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