The All-Star Game rosters were announced this weekend, and two players from the Tampa Bay Rays made the cut: David Price and Fernando Rodney. Neither selection was particularly surprising, considering Price and Rodney have been posting amazing numbers no matter how you choose to look at them, but it's still good to see them officially get recognized.
I can't say I care that much about which players make the roster and which don't -- I rarely watch the game anyway -- but the players normally care about it and enjoy the recognition. So kudos to Price and Rodney, as they both heartily deserve this. Rodney has been the second best reliever in the American League, just trailing Joe Nathan in both WAR and FIP by a smidge -- and Price has the 5th lowest ERA in the AL (although his 3.41 FIP isn't quite as good). The Rays haven't had many bright spots this season, but we sure can't blame either of these two for the team's struggles.
Also, if you pause and think about it for a second, Rodney making the All-Star Game is a little bit unreal. Coming into the season, what were the odds that he'd be even a serviceable reliever, nonetheless one of the top three in the American League? It's been an absolutely unreal season.
- So how many of you out there got Zim Bears this weekend? I'm incredibly jealous, and I'm going to start scanning eBay immediately to grab my own. Also, please take pictures of your Zim Bear and post them as FanShots on the site. Photoshops or LOLcats get bonus points.
- The Orioles have hit a bit of a skid recently, but they're still hanging in the division race and are certainly acting like they are contenders. This weekend, in fact, they traded two prospects to the Phillies in exchange for Jim Thome. Thome will DH for the O's, giving their lineup and plenty more TATERS.
- Yesterday, I wrote my second piece for Baseball Nation, in which I discuss our current bias against hitters that don't walk. That's not to say that walking doesn't matter, but merely that hitters can still be very successful even if they hate taking a walk. Yes, I'm looking at you, Mark Trumbo.