Ramon
Hernandez
C, Oakland
27 (5-20-76)
1st appearance
5 key numbers
.262 batting avg.
11 home runs
40 RBIs
40 runs
36% caught stealing
Why Phil Rogers says he’s here
Good power numbers for the guy who handles Oakland’s Big Three.
Jason
Varitek
C, Boston
31 (4-11-72)
1st appearance
5 key numbers
.306 batting avg.
16 home runs
56 RBIs
42 runs
30% caught stealing
Why he’s here
Productive Red Sox catcher won online vote for 32nd spot.
Jason
Giambi
1B, New York
32 (1-8-71)
4th appearance
5 key numbers
.267 batting avg.
26 home runs
73 RBIs
58 runs
.547 slugging pct.
Why he’s here
Picked it up after slow start and was selected to replace Mike Sweeney.
Bret
Boone
2B, Seattle
34 (4-6-69)
3rd appearance
5 key numbers
.313 batting avg.
24 home runs
76 RBIs
68 runs
.591 slugging pct.
Why he’s here
This is one of the big years for a guy who alternates great years with good ones.
Nomar
Garciaparra
SS, Boston
29 (7-23-73)
5th appearance
5 key numbers
.319 batting avg.
13 home runs
60 RBIs
73 runs
22 BBs vs. 34 Ks
Why he’s here
In the middle of everything the Red Sox do and could have been AL starter.
Hank
Blalock
3B, Texas
22 (11-21-80)
1st appearance
5 key numbers
.323 batting avg.
14 home runs
48 RBIs
50 runs
.524 slugging pct.
Why he’s here
Delivering on the Rookie of the Year hype a year later.
Garret
Anderson
OF, Anaheim
31 (6-30-72)
2nd appearance
5 key numbers
.316 batting avg.
22 home runs
78 RBIs
0 errors
.597 slugging pct.
Why he’s here
No post-championship letdown for a steady run-producer.
Carl
Everett
OF, White Sox
32 (6-3-71)
2nd appearance
5 key numbers
.270 batting avg.
18 home runs
52 RBIs
59 runs
.515 slugging pct.
Why he’s here
Huge numbers in April and May were rewarded in player vote.
Melvin
Mora
OF, Baltimore
31 (2-2-72)
1st appearance
5 key numbers
.349 batting avg.
13 home runs
45 RBIs
56 runs
.560 slugging pct.
Why he’s here
Player vote recognized the value of his production and versatility.
Magglio
Ordonez
OF, White Sox
29 (1-28-74)
4th appearance
5 key numbers
.295 batting avg.
.301 home avg.
17 home runs
4 HRs vs. Minn.
53 RBIs
Why he’s here
Reputation prompts last-minute call despite a disappointing first half.
Vernon
Wells
OF, Toronto
24 (12-8-78)
1st appearance
5 key numbers
.299 batting avg.
23 home runs
84 RBIs
75 runs
.556 slugging pct.
Why he’s here
Among league leaders in RBI and runs scored while playing solid center field.
Dmitri
Young
OF, Detroit
29 (10-11-73)
1st appearance
5 key numbers
.283 batting avg.
18 home runs
49 RBIs
6 triples
.542 slugging pct.
Why he’s here
Borderline All-Star who was selected as lone representative of the Tigers.
