2014 DTBL All-Stars

July 7th, 2014 by Kevin


I probably could have figured this out by glancing at the standings, but it wasn’t until I went to vote for the 2014 DTBL All-Stars when I realized that the balance of power in this league has dramatically shifted from the National Division to the American Division.  A few years ago, the National Division roster was clearly stronger as several very deserving players were left off the roster.  Last year was fairly even, although even then the clear top two teams were both on the National side.  But this year, it’s all about the American Division.  Three of the top five teams in the current standings are American teams.  But the position depth paints an even more unbalanced picture.  Several very deserving American players won’t be part of this year’s All-Star Game.  Having said that, both teams possess incredible starting pitching depth.  And in one game, anything can happen.

On a date yet to be determined, but probably in a week or two, the 21st annual DTBL All-Star Game will take place.  This game will occur very close to the 20th anniversary of the inaugural DTBL All-Star Game in 1994, played in my family’s basement using dice and custom player cards made by yours truly.  That game was a slug-fest, due primarily to the fact that only hitters’ stats were used to create said cards.  Interestingly enough, 10 years ago was another one of the more memorable All-Star Games.  Due to a glitch in the OOTP game setup, players were nearly incapable of hitting fly balls.  So the National Division burned a lot of worms on their way to a 2-1 victory.  So will this year provide more memorable moments?  We shall see.  The Mavericks will be the hosts for the game.  Charlie will manage the American Division and I will call the shots for the National Division.  There is some question about Charlie’s availability for the game, but we will sort that out later.

As managers, Charlie and I broke all ties in the voting and selected the 23rd players for each roster.  Here are the 2014 DTBL All-Stars:

American Division

Starters:

  • Pitcher – Felix Hernandez, Jackalope
  • Catcher – Victor Marinez, Naturals
  • First Base – Paul Goldschmidt, Jackalope
  • Second Base – Ian Kinsler, Moonshiners
  • Third Base – Miguel Cabrera, Naturals
  • Shortstop – Troy Tulowitzki, Naturals
  • Outfield – Jose Bautista, Choppers
  • Outfield – Nelson Cruz, Gators
  • Outfield – Giancarlo Stanton, Jackalope

Reserves:

  • Catcher – Evan Gattis, Jackalope
  • First Base – Anthony Rizzo, Choppers
  • Second Base – Anthony Rendon, Naturals
  • Third Base – Josh Donaldson, Moonshiners
  • Outfield – Andrew McCutchen, Naturals
  • Outfield – Yasiel Puig, Jackalope
  • Pitcher – Zack Greinke, Naturals
  • Pitcher – Jon Lester, Choppers
  • Pitcher – David Price, Naturals
  • Pitcher – Chris Sale, Choppers
  • Relief Pitcher – Craig Kimbrel, Choppers
  • Relief Pitcher – Greg Holland, Naturals
  • Relief Pitcher – Francisco Rodriguez, Naturals
  • Relief Pitcher – Huston Street, Gators

National Division

Starters:

  • Pitcher – Adam Wainwright, Cougars
  • Catcher – Jonathan LuCroy, Kings
  • First Base – Edwin Encarnacion, Mavericks
  • Second Base – Jose Altuve, Demigods
  • Third Base – Todd Frazier, Darkhorses
  • Shortstop – Starlin Castro, Mavericks
  • Outfield – Michael Brantley, Cougars
  • Outfield – Carlos Gomez, Demigods
  • Outfield – Mike Trout, Mavericks

Reserves:

  • Catcher – Buster Posey, Demigods
  • First Base – Brandon Moss, Mavericks
  • First Base – Freddie Freeman, Demigods
  • Second Base – Robinson Cano, Kings
  • Outfield – Adam Jones, Mavericks
  • Outfield – Jacoby Ellsbury, Darkhorses
  • Pitcher – Johnny Cueto, Demigods
  • Pitcher – Clayton Kershaw, Mavericks
  • Pitcher – Julio Teheran, Darkhorses
  • Pitcher – Madison Bumgarner, Cougars
  • Relief Pitcher – Sean Doolittle, Kings
  • Relief Pitcher – Kenley Jansen, Mavericks
  • Relief Pitcher – Jonathan Papelbon, Kings
  • Relief Pitcher – Trevor Rosenthal, Demigods

All-Stars per team:

  • 9 – Naturals
  • 7 – Mavericks
  • 6 – Demigods
  • 5 – Choppers, Jackalope
  • 4 – Kings
  • 3 – Cougars, Darkhorses
  • 2 – Moonshiners, Gators

A few comments.  First, nine Naturals on the team is pretty impressive, and completely deserving considering the way they have dominated this league through the first half of the season.  The 23rd players selected for the respective rosters were a pair of first basemen:  Anthony Rizzo (American) and Freddie Freeman (National).  One of the offensive players listed as a reserve for each division will actually start the game since DHs will be used.  The lineups will be compiled at a later time.  Here are the full voting results.  Much more to come soon, including an official announcement of the game date and time.

One Response to “2014 DTBL All-Stars”

  1. Mike says:

    Man, I almost nailed my starter predictions in my article. Only missed one player on each team – Cabrera for the American Division (had Donaldson), and Castro for the National Division (had Hanley Ramirez). Not bad!

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