After last-minute Internet voting, the Cubs’ Aramis Ramirez and the Sox’s Frank Thomas didn’t make the All-Star Game. Fans voted the Yankees’ Hideki Matsui and the Phillies’ Bobby Abreu into the final spots.
Heavy hitters
The rosters for the All-Star Game’s home run derby are taking shape. One more player from each league will be picked.’
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American:
David Ortiz, BOS
Rafael Palmeiro, BAL
Jason Giambi, NYY
National:
Jim Thome, PHI
Ken Griffey Jr., CIN
Sammy Sosa, Cubs
Just visiting
“It’s a great place to play, a great stadium, fans are obviously very animated. It’s like a festival as much as a ballgame.”
–Mike Piazza, N.Y. Mets All-Star catcher on playing at Wrigley Field.
Fantasyland Who’s hot and who’s not (through Wednesday’s games)
Smokin’
Jose Guillen, Angels
2-homer day (with 5 RBIs) signals that he’s back.
Steve Trachsel, Mets
1 earned run allowed in his last 2 starts, both wins.
Andruw Jones, Braves
3 HRs, 8 RBIs in last 3 games; could still drive in 100.
Roy Oswalt, Houston
Dangerous: 4 straight wins, 31 strikeouts in that span.
Nomar Garciaparra, Red Sox
He’s 8-for-17 with 2 HRs and 4 RBIs in last 4 games.
Josh Phelps, Blue Jays
He went 3-for-4 with 2 HRs and 7 RBIs, meaning he has knocked in 12 runs in his last 3 games.
Chokin’
Mark Redman, A’s Latest victim of Boston bats tagged with his 3rd straight loss.
Livan Hernandez, Expos Suffers worst outing of season: 6 runs on 8 hits in 2 innings.
Derrek Lee, Cubs Could list all the Cubs here, but Lee has 1 HR and 2 RBIs since June 23.
Ken Harvey, Royals Stuck in 1-for-17 funk. Not a surprise, given the hitters around him.
Jason Grimsley, Orioles 9 ER in a grand total of 5 1/3 innings since trade to Baltimore.
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Read more in “Out Loud” with Steve Rosenbloom in Thursday’s Chicago Tribune.
