New Sully Baseball Video – "The All ‘Nope…Not THAT One’ Team"

In the latest Sully Baseball video, I ran down a roster of players who share the names of other famous people.

It’s the “All Nope… Not THAT One Team.”

As always, all the videos can be seen on The Sully Baseball Short Form TV channel.

THE SULLY BASEBALL ALL STAR BALLOT FOR 2011

Well it is time for me to reveal my All Star ballot for the three of you who care. And as always, I have two ballots:

The roster that I think should be the actual All Star Team based on their 2011 performances.
And the roster that I think would be the worst possible All Star Team using players who for whatever reason are on the ballot.

Let’s vote.

Actual All Star Team

American League

First Base
ADRIAN GONZALEZ, Red Sox

Second Base
ROBINSON CANO, Yankees

Shortstop
ELVIS ANDRUS, Rangers

Third Base
ALEX RODRIGUEZ, Yankees

Catcher
ALEX AVILA, Tigers

Designated Hitter
DAVID ORTIZ, Red Sox

Outfield
CURTIS GRANDERSON, Yankees
JOSE BAUTISTA, Blue Jays
ADAM JONES, Orioles

National League

First Base
PRINCE FIELDER, Brewers

Second Base
RICKIE WEEKS, Brewers

Shortstop
JOSE REYES, Mets

Third Base
PLACIDO POLANCO, Phillies

Catcher
BRIAN McCANN, Braves

Outfield
MATT KEMP, Dodgers
RYAN BRAUN, Brewers
JAY BRUCE, Reds

You can’t accuse me of being Red Sox partisan. I have three Yankees starting! And roll up the barrels! I have three starting Brewers!

OK, let’s take a look at the Anti All Star team!

The Worst Possible All Star Team

American League

First Base
DAN JOHNSON, Rays

Second Base
WILL RHYMES, Tigers

Shortstop
REID BRIGNAC, Rays

Third Base
CHONE FIGGINS, Mariners

Catcher
JEFF MATHIS, Angels

Designated Hitter
JACK CUST, Mariners

Outfield
MILTON BRADLEY, Mariners
TRAVIS SNIDER, Blue Jays
FRANKLIN GUTIERREZ, Mariners

National League

First Base
BRANDON BELT, Giants

Second Base
BRAD EMAUS, Mets

Shortstop
RAFAEL FURCAL, Dodgers

Third Base
IAN STEWART, Rockies

Catcher
J. R. TOWLES, Astros

Outfield
RICK ANKIEL, Nationals
CHRIS COGHLAN, Marlins
JASON BAY, Mets

The fact that there are so many Mariners on the Worst Possible American League All Star Team and yet are only a few games out of first place is the best possible argument for Eric Wedges’ Manager of the Year campaign!

So there you have it. My ballot.
Take it for what it is worth.

Milton Bradley and mistakes

So the Mariners are going to keep Milton Bradley. Despite a lousy year where he had to leave to take care of personal matters, and an off season arrest that shows those matters aren’t really resolved, he’s coming back.

“People make mistakes,” new Mariners manager Eric Wedge said.

Yeah they do Eric. Like giving Milton Bradley chance after chance.
At what point does this become enabling?
At what point do you say “Hmmm, I see a pattern here.”

When a guy this talented plays for 8 teams in 11 seasons (including 5 in the last 4 years) and each time he goes there is much rejoicing, isn’t that the point where you say “Yeah, let’s move on.”

Wedge managed Bradley with the Indians and it was a confrontation between the two that forced his first of many trades.

In the 7 seasons since, he hasn’t really improved, has he?

And when you look at his career, is it even worth it on the field?
He had a great half season in 2007 with the Padres (until he injured himself arguing and ended his season… a season where the Padres missed the playoffs by a single game.)

He had a terrific season in Texas in 2008, his walk year.
Now he has had two straight miserable seasons, is in his mid 30s and frankly has had only had 2 and a half seasons of note.

The Mariners need to rebuild. How exactly is Bradley a piece to any rebuilding project?
If he is no longer a usable player (which he isn’t) and he’s no longer a person you want in the clubhouse (even he doesn’t want to be there) then why bring him back?

People make mistakes.
Eric Wedge and the Mariners are making one now.