I have spent far too much time compiling a list of the 33 best players in the AL who go beyond being All Stars to the point of being ALL TROLL. I followed the MLB model for roster size and also their policy of selecting at least one representative from each team. I took that one step further and made sure I had at least 2 reps from each team in either first or second place in their divisions. This is going to be a long post, so I will begin today with the starting line-up for the All Troll team. Tomorrow I will post the entire 33-man roster and explain why I picked who I did. I realize that this year the All Star game is played in a NL park and there will be no DH, but this is the All Troll team and I wanted to create a true AL batting order. I will also name my mid-season awards, MVP, ROY, Cy Young and Comeback Player of the Year. For now here is the starting 9 for the 2009 All Troll team.
Leading off, the right-fielder for the Seattle Mariners, an 8-time All Star, 8-time Gold Glover, 2 time batting champ, the 2001 AL MVP and ROY…
1. Ichiro Suzuki RF-.370/6/
Batting second, the left fielder for the Tampa Bay Rays, a two-time All Star and 4-time AL stolen base leader…2. Carl Crawford LF-.320/8/38
Batting third, the 1st baseman for the Minnesota Twins, a two-time All Star, two-time Silver Slugger and the AL’s MVP in 2006…3. Justin Morneau 1B-.309/19/64
The clean-up hitter is the Los Angeles Angels centerfielder, an 8-time Gold Glove and two-time All Star…4. Torii Hunter CF-.304/17/59
Batting fifth today is The Tampa Bay Rays third baseman, an All Star last year and also the American League’s Rookie of the Year…5. Evan Longoria 3B-.297/16/63
Batting 6th is the Minnesota Twins catcher, a 2-time All Star and two-time batting champion, currently chasing .400…6. Joe Mauer C-.392/14/44
Batting 7th, from the AL Central leading Detroit Tigers, a 4-time All Star and last season’s AL home run leader…7. Miguel Cabrera DH-.331/16/47
Batting in the #8 spot is the Toronto Blue Jays second baseman, currently 4th in the AL in home runs, making his first All Troll or All Star appearance…8. Aaron Hill 2B-.301/19/56
Your #9 hitter today is the Tampa Bay Rays shortstop, another infielder having a breakout season and making his first appearance on an ALL team…9. Jason Bartlett SS-.362/7/36
Your starting pitcher today comes to you from the Kansas City Royals; he was the AL Pitcher of the Month in April, also making his first ALL Star/Troll appearance…10. Zack Greinke SP-10-3/1.95/114 Ks
That is the starting line-up for the 2009 American League “All Troll Team”.Full roster will be posted tomorrow, followed by mid-season awards and the National League team.
Pictures courtesy of the best series in card-collecting today, Topps Heritage...Go Rays! Troll Out!
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hmmm. .. I might argue on the batting order, but not the players. Nice team.
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