2011 MLB All-Star Snubs: The 10 Most Surprising Names Left Off the Roster

The 2011 MLB All-Star Game is poised to be a welcome sight for fans that are glad at least one major sport isn't locked out. However, there are a few individuals that will refrain from watching the Midsummer Classic. 

These next guys put their best foot forward for half a season, and it has so far gone unrewarded. We are here to correct the issue with some much-needed love from yours truly. 

Now there are some ground rules here. For the most part, I like what MLB fans did for this iteration of the All-Star game. 

It proves once again that baseball fans are among the most intelligent in the sports world. Don't worry, I'm not counting myself.

Despite a great many of the players that should have a spot, there are some that I am going to pick some nits with. 

This piece in no way states that the following players should have a seat at the table over another, except for my Derek Jeter argument. I am simply providing those players that have also played like All-Stars in this still young season.

As you will see, just because a team is mandated to have an All-Star in the most crucial exhibition game in sports does not mean that MLB or its fans always get the correct player.

The following is a list of snubs that should be noted as the great athletes they are. If the fans, managers and MLB are not going to stand up and correct this wrong, then it looks like I have to.

Like a spirited sports vigilante, I am taking matters into my own hands and letting you in on the few players that deserve an All-Star nod, or at the very least a nice picture in this slideshow. Enjoy the show.

10. Ichiro Suzuki

All right, let me border on hypocrisy for a moment. While I decry the Jeter nod, I also claim that Ichiro has been snubbed.

Here is my thinking. We all know that players get a tip of the hat based on past performance. Jeter will have an All-Star mandate from fans because he is, well, Jeter.

That being the case, I am throwing another player in the mix who should get an at-bat every All-Star game he remains active. Ichiro has been nothing but the best hitter in baseball for over a decade now.

The man will once again quietly collect 200 hits and go about his business. If Jeter gets an automatic bid for doing nothing more than putting on his jersey, I am going to make a case that Ichiro is far more deserving.

9. Alex Gordon

Don't feel bad for the Kansas City Royals. They have Aaron Crow going to the All-Star game this year. The team that seems forever destined to send one representative gets a setup man to post duties for the proud franchise.

This is no knock on Crow, but how many relievers can one get excited over? I would much rather see the face of the franchise get the call.

Gordon may get his chance yet in MLB's Final Vote. If not, his near .300 batting average and 10 bombs will be only for Royals fans to delight in.

8. Mark Teixeira

In yet another testament to just how ridiculous the Yankees fortunes are, Mark Teixeira was not on the list of All-Stars in 2011.

The snub has even taken one of the league leaders in home runs out of the mix for the Home Run Derby. Teixeira has decided that his 25 home runs are of better use at home during the All-Star weekend.

I can hardly blame the guy, but I would have loved to see some more pop in the lineup rather than the glorified relievers that litter the rosters.

7. Michael Pineda

This is one snub that will either have you shrug from nonchalance or enraged over voter ignorance. Either way, you have to once again consider that one spot on the roster was given to a past his prime Derek Jeter here.

That domino effect saw a few stars get booted, as has been noted. One happens to a young player that will no doubt get his time to shine in July.

Michael Pineda (8-5, 2.58, 106 strikeouts) is a huge fireballer that would have been a great find for the All-Star game. He would bring the heat against the best in the game and finally get some recognition for his nasty stuff.

6. Tommy Hanson

Tommy Hanson may be one of the least talked about casualties in the new dead ball era. As pitchers are silencing bats left and right, his first half goes largely ignored.

Hanson is throwing up solid numbers for a team that will need him to stay on track for the second half push. So in a sense, his snub may be good for Braves fans, as Hanson gets a weekend off to regroup and rest.

When play resumes, he can go back to attempting a coup of 20 wins and 200 strikeouts. Those would be two amazing feats that Hanson could do if luck and talent remain on his side. The latter is unquestionably his.

5. Jhonny Peralta

It is a new day in baseball, and voters need to embrace that sentiment. I understand that Derek Jeter remains one of the most popular and well-liked ballplayers in MLB, but he has earned a stay at home in July.

While Jeter snags an undeserved starting position at shortstop, one middle infielder is given the boot. You can hardly deny Asdrubal Cabrera and the year he is having, but why does Jhonny Peralta have to suffer?

While Peralta splits time between shortstop and the hot corner, there is something to be said for a guy that is putting up his numbers while locking down the left side of the infield.

There was plenty of room for his .314 batting average and 14 home runs at shortstop in the Midsummer Classic, especially when you consider taking Jeter out of the mix.

4. Paul Konerko

For some reason or another, Konerko keeps getting the shaft. Left off the initial list in 2010, Konerko will once again have a chance through the league's Final Vote initiative.

In reality, there should be no question about Konerko on the squad. The White Sox leader is once again putting up ungodly numbers.

He can be counted on to move the White Sox offense with his .312 average and 21 home runs. It will be a travesty if Konerko does not get what is an otherwise no-brainer selection.

3. CC Sabathia

Excuse me while I pound my head on the desk for 10 minutes. It is the only thing that will deter me from feeling the pain of saying the Yankees missed out on an All-Star.

The game in Phoenix will look like a Yankees home game from all the pinstripes on the field, yet you cannot discount Sabathia and the fine year he is having once again.

In fact, Sabathia will most likely make a showing as injuries and pitching rotations come into play over the next week. So we will see him there, even if he did not make the initial cut.

Sabathia is having another typical year—you know? He has 11 wins so far and an ERA bordering around 3.00. The 200-strikeout mark will once again get breached. It seems typical is not worth noting anymore.

2. Dan Haren

Dan Haren has been one of the best pitchers in baseball. No thanks to fate, he pitches a day after a right-hander that is a touch better than he is.

Haren is the second man in the Angels rotation only to Jered Weaver, a fact that makes his eight wins and 2.85 ERA look all the more paltry than they actually are.

He is ninth in WHIP, 15th in ERA and 23rd in strikeouts. He is quietly putting together one of the best years in his career. For most, though, he is the guy that pitches after Weaver.

1. Andrew McCutchen

Let me start by giving daps where daps are due. Pirates reliever Joel Hanrahan has been untouchable this season. On a lowly team, he has been a rare gem that you can count on.

However, Andrew McCutchen has been the Pirates franchise for two seasons now.

There is no way to quantify just how important the speedster with power has been to the Bucs. McCutchen is flirting with the .300 line and has proven pop with his 12 home runs.

The coinciding 15 stolen bases make him a threat for .300/30/30 by the end of the year.

The good news is the Pirates have a stud reliever. The bad news is he just kicked their best slugger out of the All-Star game.