With the Midsummer Classic just around the corner, voting for both the National League and American League is well underway.
The NL is paced by the hot bats of Chase Utley, Lance Berkman, and Chipper Jones. There are also a few Cubs rooks in the mix, with catcher Geovany Soto and outfielder Kosuke Fukudome at the top of their respective positions. Teammate Alfonso Soriano is the leading vote-getter for all OF, with Fukudome second.
In the AL, Josh Hamilton has been the story, looking for a triple crown with incredible numbers. He is second among AL outfielders behind Manny Ramirez of the Red Sox. Rangers teammates Ian Kinsler and Michael Young are also making their case, jumping up to second in their respective positions. As expected, four Red Sox players and two Yankees players have the lead in different positions.
With all the good that has been happening this year—the Josh Hamilton story, Chipper Jones and his quest for .400, Chase Utley setting records at second base—there have been equal parts ugly.
With every season we expect greatness from many players, but sometimes the production simply does not follow the potential.
On July 15, it is safe to say we will not see this lineup. Let’s call it the All-Junk Team. It is a roster of players who have underachieved considerably and will not be making the trip to Yankee Stadium just over one month from now.
Catcher: Victor Martinez, Indians
No home runs. Zero. Catcher usually isn’t the position were we find an abundance of offense, but over the past few seasons Victor Martinez has been one of, if not THE best catcher in the league.
But this season has been a nightmare for V-Mart, who has been in a big-time power slump which has helped to pull down the Cleveland offense. Usually a perennial All-Star candidate, this year Martinez will be home at the break, hopefully nursing his bad hamstring back to health.
Runner Up: Ivan Rodriguez, Tigers
1B: Carlos Delgado, Mets
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