MLB All-Star Game 2016: 5 biggest AL snubs
By Brad Weiss
The rosters for the 2016 MLB All-Star Game were announced on Tuesday night, and some deserving names were left off. Here are five snubs for the American League.
On Tuesday night’s Esurance All-Star Selection Show, starting lineups and rosters for the American League and National League clubs were announced for the 87th Midsummer Classic. For the American League, the Boston Red Sox placed four players as starters, including outfielders Mookie Betts and Jackie Bradley Jr., shortstop Xander Bogaerts, and designated hitter David Ortiz.
The Kansas City Royals will be represented by two starters in the game, with first baseman Eric Hosmer and catcher Salvador Perez voted into the starting lineup. Rounding out the starting nine will be Houston Astros’ second baseman Jose Altuve, Baltimore Orioles’ SS/3B Manny Machado, and Los Angeles Angels’ outfielder Mike Trout.
The American League, who have won ten of the last 13 Midsummer Classics, including three in a row, will be looking to secure home-field advantage for their league when they face the National League on July 12. The game will be played at the home of the San Diego Padres, Petco Park, and coverage will begin at 7:30pm ET on FOX.
Fans will have up until 4pm ET on Friday to participate in the Esurance All-Star Game Final Vote to determine how the rosters round out. Ian Kinsler (Detroit Tigers), Evan Longoria (Tampa Bay Rays), Dustin Pedroia (Boston Red Sox), Michael Saunders (Toronto Blue Jays), and George Springer (Houston Astros) will have one more chance to make it to the All-Star Game in this final vote.
Being named to the All-Star Game is a tremendous honor, and each player is deserving in their own right. However, there are some players each year that get snubbed, as they accumulate statistics worthy of an All-Star Game appearance.
Here are five American Leaguers who were snubbed this time around.
Next: 5. Ian Kinsler, 2B, Detroit Tigers