PBMarlin Posted July 3, 2005 Share Posted July 3, 2005 Willis, Cabrera are Marlins' best hopes for All-Star Game By Tom D'Angelo Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Sunday, July 03, 2005 NEW YORK ? The Florida Marlins will learn today how many players will represent the franchise in the All-Star Game. The rosters ? minus one player from each league who will be added via Internet voting ? will be announced at 7 p.m. on ESPN. The game will be played July 12 at Detroit's Comerica Park. With no Marlins receiving enough fan votes to start, pitcher Dontrelle Willis and outfielder Miguel Cabrera are expected to be named to the National League team. First baseman Carlos Delgado, second baseman Luis Castillo and catcher Paul Lo Duca also are in line for roster spots. "It's not easy,'' said the Marlins' Jack McKeon, who managed the NL last year. ''You're going to get people mad at you. There are a lot of guys worthy of making the club that can't make it.'' McKeon expects Willis and Cabrera to be voted as reserves by the players and coaches. Willis (12-3) is a candidate to be the NL's starting pitcher. His main competition appears to be Chris Carpenter (12-4) and Matt Morris (9-1), both of whom play for the Cardinals and Tony La Russa, who will manage this year's team and selects the starting pitcher. Cabrera is second in the league in hitting and was fourth among outfielders going into the final three days of voting. Delgado's chance could depend on whether La Russa uses Derrek Lee or Albert Pujols as the designated hitter. Two first basemen are assured of making the team, with Pujols holding a slim lead in the most recent voting. "If they pick me, that will be great," said Delgado, a two-time AL All-Star with the Toronto Blue Jays. "If they don't, I'll enjoy my three days off.'' Castillo is fourth in the league in hitting at.338, and has won two consecutive Gold Gloves. But he does not believe he is as deserving as the other two years ? 2002, '03 ? he was selected. "The other years I did better, I played the whole three months,'' said Castillo, who has missed 20 games, mostly because of hip and leg injuries. "Sometimes when your team is in first place, or you are fighting for first place, you have a better chance.'' Lo Duca, who has the highest batting average (.308) among NL catchers, was second behind the Mets' Mike Piazza in the latest count. "I would love to go; I'd be an idiot if I said I wouldn't,'' said Lo Duca, a two-time All-Star with the Dodgers. Fans will determine the 17 starters, including an American League DH. In the National League, the players and coaches vote on eight position players and eight pitchers. La Russa, with help from the league, will pick eight more players. Boston's Terry Francona will manage the American League team. Fans cast a record 2.3 million ballots in the final 24 hours, bringing the total ballots cast online to 11.5 million with more than 155 million online votes, both records. Link Willis and Cabrera are shoe-ins. LoDuca should make it for sure. Castillo deserves to be on the team. Delgado is probably a long shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strandedx02 Posted July 3, 2005 Share Posted July 3, 2005 I agree with everything you said there...I'm actually surprised I've heard basically no talk of Luis in most ASG-related articles, because he definitely deserves to be in Detroit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FutureGM Posted July 3, 2005 Share Posted July 3, 2005 Lo Duca should make the team as the second catcher. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iowa Posted July 3, 2005 Share Posted July 3, 2005 If Luis keeps that batting average around .330 and OBP at .430, its going to be hard for him to not make the all star team. He's made it twice before without power numbers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CardsJimEdmonds15 Posted July 3, 2005 Share Posted July 3, 2005 Miggy and D-Train should be no brainers IMHO.. Lo Duca has a chance but I think they'll only take 2 catchers (Piazza (sadly) & Barrett probably). Castillo may make it but I wouldnt be so certain he will. I believe Delgado COULD make it.. But I just dont see that happening.. Whatever the case is.. We'll find out later tonight.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stefanodemais Posted July 3, 2005 Share Posted July 3, 2005 Delgado doesn't stand a chance of making it. Not that he doesn't have the numbers but you have Pujols and Derek Lee at 1st. No chance. Sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PBMarlin Posted July 3, 2005 Author Share Posted July 3, 2005 Miggy and D-Train should be no brainers IMHO.. Lo Duca has a chance but I think they'll only take 2 catchers (Piazza (sadly) & Barrett probably). Castillo may make it but I wouldnt be so certain he will. I believe Delgado COULD make it.. But I just dont see that happening.. Whatever the case is.. We'll find out later tonight.. 837774[/snapback] I don't see how Barrett gets picked over LoDuca. Barrett is hitting 40 points lower. Castillo is hitting 45 points higher than he next closest competitor. Both of these guys should get picked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CardsJimEdmonds15 Posted July 3, 2005 Share Posted July 3, 2005 Delgado doesn't stand a chance of making it. Not that he doesn't have the numbers but you have Pujols and Derek Lee at 1st. No chance. Sorry. 837795[/snapback] I actually think there's a chance.. Unless Pujols and Lee are gonna play 9 innings, who's the backup 1B? Because certainly one of them will start at DH too. :confused Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.