July 7, 1998. I was driving (riding in a minivan actually) across Florida with my family on the way to Disney World. Most kids would be elated, but I was far from happy. I was missing the highlight of the summer – the All-Star Game. Growing up without cable, televised baseball games were few and far between. But on one night in the middle of the summer, FOX allowed me to watch all the players I had idolized with posters on my wall, discussions with my second grade classmates, and batting-stance imitations in the Little League on-deck circle. The American League always won, but that just gave me more hope that next year would be the NL’s year (a philosophy that the Cubs had long since ingrained in me).
Thirteen years later, here I am watching the 2011 All-Star Game. The following is a little tribute to my 7 year old self, who was stuck on the highway and missed watching the AL trounce the NL, 13-8. It may be tough to compare the superstars of 1998, when steroids were as prevalent in baseball as chewing tobacco, with the household names of 2011, but here it goes:
American League
- Catcher 1998: Ivan Rodriguez. 2011: Alex Avila.
Pudge, still playing these days, is one of the best catchers ever. Alex who? Give me Rodriguez.
- First Base 1998: Jim Thome. 2011: Adrian Gonzalez
Thome is still around in 2011 too, nearing his 600th homer. Even though Gonzalez is having a great year, I have to take the Peoria area product.
- Second Base 1998: Roberto Alomar. 2011: Robinson Cano.
Alomar was as dynamic as they come at second, but Cano is coming off a Home Run Derby crown. Here’s to you, Mr. Robinson.
- Third Base 1998: Cal Ripken, Jr. 2011: Alex Rodriguez.
Ripken was playing next to 1998 A-Rod in this game, and was still the classier option.
- Shortstop 1998: Alex Rodriguez. 2011: Derek Jeter.
’98 A-Rod is definitely better than the 2011 A-Rod who just lost out to Ripken.
- Outfield 1998: Juan Gonzalez. 2011: Jose Bautista.
Bautista hits just as many homers.. without the ‘roids.
- Outfield 1998: Ken Griffey, Jr. 2011: Curtis Granderson
Granderson might be the coolest player in the 2011 MLB, but Griffey might be the coolest player in MLB history.
- Outfield 1998: Kenny Lofton. 2011: Josh Hamilton
Hamilton is a feel-good story, but Lofton was the shit in helping the Cubs win the division in ’03.
National League
- Catcher 1998: Mike Piazza. 2011: Brian McCann.
I’ll have a slice of cheese Piazza.
- First Base 1998: Mark McGwire. 2011: Prince Fielder.
McGwire, albeit on steroids, broke Roger Maris’ home run record in ’98. Sorry Prince.
- Second Base 1998: Craig Biggio. 2011: Rickie Weeks.
Can you imagine Biggio with Weeks’ dreads? Weeks may have better hair, but Biggio is the better ballplayer.
- Third Base 1998: Chipper Jones. 2011: Placido Polanco.
It’s surprising how many players like Jones are still playing today. No contest here.
- Shortstop 1998: Walt Weiss. 2011: Jose Reyes.
I don’t know how Walt Weiss made it in the steroid era. Reyes wins out in this match up.
- Outfield 1998: Barry Bonds. 2011: Ryan Braun.
I hate Bonds; I hate Braun. I guess I’ll take the all time home run leader *
- Outfield 1998: Tony Gwynn. 2011: Lance Berkman.
Gwynn has 3,000 hits. Berkman never will.
- Outfield 1998: Larry Walker. 2011: Matt Kemp.
Kemp dated Rihanna, ‘nuff said. Can you imagine Larry Walker dating Rihanna?
Note: I didn’t do any statistical analysis of these matchups, just went with a gut feeling in order to save all the research, mainly.
