MLB All Star Game

The big bats and fireballs of Major League Baseball are set to shine on July 14 in the MLB All Star Game.

For the boys of summer, the All Star Game officially marks the halfway point of [kwlink6582]Major League Baseball’s[/kwlink] regular season. “The Midsummer Classic,” as it is well known, is also the official mark of who the best players in baseball are right now. The starting all star rosters for the National and American Leagues are:

National League:

C Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins

1B Mark Teixeira, New York Yankees

2B Dustin Pedroia, Boston Red Sox

SS Derek Jeter, New York Yankees

3B Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays

OF Jason Bay, Boston Red Sox

OF Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle Mariners

OF Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers

Coach: Joe Maddon, Tampa Bay Rays

American League:

C Yadier Molina, St Louis Cardinals

1B Albert Pujols, St Louis Cardinals

2B Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies

SS Hanley Ramirez, Florida Marlins

3B David Wright, New York Mets

OF Carlos Beltran, New York Mets

OF Ryan Braun, Milwaukee

OF Raul Ibanez, Philadelphia Phillies

Coach: Charlie Manuel, Philadelphia Phillies

That is some serious baseball talent ready to light it up in the only professional sports all star game that actually means something. In Major League Baseball the league that wins the all star game gets home field advantage in the World Series.

In 2003, it was decided that the all star game would determine the home in team in the World Series after MLB Commissioner Bid Seilig called an early end to the 2002 contest with the game tied 3-3 in the 11th inning.

In addition to the actual game, contests such as the Home Run Derby are held before the All Star Game. Last year Minnesota Twins 1B Justin Morneau won the Home Run Derby. Although he made the all star team again this year, he won’t compete in the contest and attempt to become the first player to repeat as champion since Ken Griffey, Jr. did it in 1998 and 1999.

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