Kuzul

There is this beautiful song out on the country radio charts. In fact, it is now ranked at No. 2 for this week, and it is called, “The Boys of Fall,” and its artist is Kenny Chesney.

It talks of high school football and wearing the jerseys, digging in the cleats, and roughing up the shoulder pads. It is an emotional song that still manages to stay away from the label of “cheesy.”

Down where I live in Texas, it fits the culture like a glove because Texas is all about football.

The Dallas Cowboys have five Super Bowl wins, the University of Texas has the “Hook ’em Horns” sign with the index and pinkie finger, and because football is more popular than baseball, it just makes sense that the world of baseball would be overlooked.

Well, there is a subculture of baseball here, and it is usually found in my sect. The tall, lanky boys that wear caps on the weekends, and wear sunglasses so the girls don’t know we are looking at them.

We are the laid-back, cool under pressure/live for the moment which is baseball.

I love baseball. I have more memories of baseball than any other sport. I get those skin-tight white pants and my white socks, then I’d put on my cleats, and my jersey and my cap.

I still have my old brown glove sitting on the desk right next to me. I still have my ball with Tony the Tiger’s face on it.

I remember going to practice, and just throwing a ball around. It was athletic yet relaxing because it was so simple for us. We didn’t think about getting under the hoop for a inside pass to dunk it or making the trap block here.

It was simple. Catch/field the ball, throw it to first, hit the ball, run to first.

Best of all, it was a game where you took time to be friends. In football games, you’re studying the team across, and heaven forbid you talk about your favorite action figure.

When I was a kid, I sat in that dugout next to my friend Jeff, and between my other friend Scott, and we just talked.

We drank Gatorade from paper cups, we chewed sunflower seeds, and we talked about what video games we wanted for our game systems.

When we won, we may argue cheese vs. pepperoni on our pizzas. When we lost, we got some sugary sweet snack in a package that our parents brought (each parent had a set week for snacks), and then we planned to fool around in our backyards on Sunday.

We grew apart as we hit middle school, but the constant for us was baseball.

I may have thought about law school and swimming. Scott wanted to do medical school and tennis, and Jeff and Zach went into tennis with him. Taylor was obsessed with golf, but we all remembered those days.

I will never forget winning the championship with my friends. I was playing third base, and there was a pop-up and it looked like it was going to fly beyond my grasp for a hit. I still said to myself to go after it anyway, what could it hurt?

I was always like that, and so were my teammates. We never gave up on a game or on each other, which was wonderful because I was jealous of my pals.

I couldn’t even throw a ball straight half the time while Jeff was a switch-hitter. Zach was just awesome at second base, Scott just did his thing always, but me? I knew I was the underdog, the last guy picked, but it didn’t affect our friendship.

Yet, it was the defining moment of my life at the time when that ball just curved and plopped downward into my glove with me staring at it.

I looked at the ball with confusion on my face, and I’ll never forget it when coach just hugged me and lifted me up in the air with all the pride in the world. I had caught the last out of the game.

We had won the championship, we had won it all. We were the happiest set of boys alive in the state of Texas.

Today, as I lay back in my chair and gaze at my glove, I think of that day. I think of that, the sunflower seeds, the soda bottles, the white and brown stains on our clothes when we went home to take our baths, and I smile.

Today, me and my friends add more memories. I see Jorge Cantu’s double into left field that gave him the first RBI of his Ranger career to put us in the lead. I see Nelson Cruz, Julio Borbon, and Jeff Francoeur catching fly balls.

I see Ron Washington and Nolan Ryan, the men who kept this organization on course even though the Rangers were almost bankrupt.

I see a gigantic dogpile and everyone hugging. I’m wishing the guys were all here, so we can do the same.

I see Michael Young embracing every man on the field because he, Mr. Ranger, is finally going to the postseason after 1,502 games with the Rangers. The all-time hits leader for the Rangers is finally going to the postseason.

I see myself throwing my glove in the air along with the players as I watched that last out happen. I see Neftali Feliz getting his 38th save, a new rookie record for the MLB, as the Rangers clinch playoffs.

We’ve been waiting a decade, and while I’m still at home, and Jeff is at Texas Tech, Taylor is here, Zack and Scott are at Texas A&M, and Chris is at Texas; I know we are, in our hearts, in our tiny cleats and little caps.

And we are playing at Meadowcreek Park, and we are hoping the Rangers win this year.

The Texas Rangers beat the Oakland Athletics today, and they are going to the playoffs for the first time in 11 years!

Eleven years, guys. Was it worth the wait? I think it was.

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Barring an epic, Texas-sized collapse over the remaining 12 games of the regular season schedule, the American League West-leading Texas Rangers are poised to return to post-season baseball for the first time since 1999.

Of course, nothing is yet set in stone, but with their magic number still standing at six after last night’s second consecutive loss at Anaheim, any combination of Ranger wins or Oakland losses equaling six will guarantee them a berth in the playoffs. With a seven game lead in the division, the odds favor Texas heavily to gain entry into October playoff baseball once again.

They still won’t know who awaits them until possibly the last day of the season, as the Yankees and Rays are still locked in a ferocious battle atop the tight AL East standings. It will be either New York or Tampa, however, as neither of those teams are able to face one another, due to hailing from the same division. Whoever settles for the Wild Card between those two will face Minnesota, with the East winner taking on the Rangers.

Regardless of their opponents, the Texas Rangers still have questions to ask of themselves prior to entering the fray of October playoff baseball. Let’s take a look at three of the most significant issues facing the Rangers as the regular season winds down.

Can They Win Away From Arlington?

Throughout 2010, the Rangers have been a force to be reckoned with at The Ballpark at Arlington, with their home record standing at 48-26.

Over 74 home games, they currently rank second to only the Yankees in runs scored at home, their collective .291 home batting average leads all AL teams, and their team home OPS of .810 is also second only to New York. Offensively, they present a formidable challenge in Arlington for even the most resolute of visiting pitching staffs.

For a park renowned as a hitters’ haven, the Rangers’ pitching staff has also performed well at home. Their staff ERA of 3.61 in their ballpark ranks them fifth amongst AL clubs, only trailing Oakland, Seattle, Minnesota, and Tampa Bay, most of whom play in parks that tend to favor pitchers far more than Arlington does.

Unfortunately for the Rangers, as things stand currently, they would not possess home-field advantage in any series throughout the post-season. Unless they can go on a miraculous run, aided by a complete collapse by Tampa Bay, they will finish with the worst record of any American League playoff club, assuring that they will play the role of visitors more than that of hosts.

This is not particularly encouraging news for them, as Texas has, by far, the worst road record of any AL playoff-bound club at 35-41. It gets even worse upon closer examination, as the Rangers have not won a single ballgame in 2010 while visiting Yankee Stadium, Target Field, or Tropicana Field. They are 0-10 when playing at any of their likely playoff foes’ parks, a trend that must be reversed if they hope to progress deep into the playoffs this year.

As a pitching staff, the Rangers see their collective ERA rise from 3.61 at home, to 4.25 on the road. Not a significant increase, but when you consider that total includes many innings against the Angels, Mariners, and A’s—all in the lower half of offensive scoring in their own parks—then it becomes more acute of an issue. The Rangers won’t be so fortunate in October, as the Yankees and Twins rank first and fourth respectively in runs scored at home.

Offensively, the Rangers are not nearly the threat away that they are in Arlington. Ranking only eighth amongst all AL teams in road scoring, their team-wide slugging percentage of only .387 drops them to tenth out of 14 clubs. Similarly, their .709 OPS also ranks them tenth.

Although they won’t hold home-field advantage, the 2010 Rangers have seen plenty of success at home against their likely playoff competition. At 2-1 versus Tampa, 3-1 versus Minnesota, and 4-1 against the Yankees, including a three-game sweep just two weeks ago, the Rangers will feel confident in their own ballpark. However, they’re going to have to overcome their lack of success on the road, particularly against their three American League opponents, if they hope to escape the first round of the 2010 playoffs with victory.

How Serious Is Josh Hamilton’s Injury?

Yesterday’s news regarding Josh Hamilton’s two fractured ribs provided some relief to the star outfielder, since he finally has a reason for the mysterious pains that have plagued him since September 4.

He has not played since crashing into the wall at Target Field that day, and team doctors have had trouble diagnosing the particular issue that has kept him sidelined. They finally discovered the injured ribs and have begun treatment, but Hamilton is still out indefinitely, and not involved in any baseball activities for the time being.

Of course, the Texas lineup is not entirely dependent upon Hamilton, as they have proficient hitters throughout, but the absence of one of the AL’s leading MVP candidates cannot be underestimated in the post-season.

Not only is Hamilton leading all MLB hitters in batting average at .361, but his slugging percentage of .635 and OPS of 1.049 are also tops in the league. He leads the Rangers in almost every offensive category, with his .414 on-base percentage and 31 home runs  pacing the club, and his 97 RBI trailing only Vladimir Guerrero.

Statistically, Hamilton’s formidable production is obviously missed, but his absence affects the balance of the predominantly right-handed Texas lineup as well. Aside from Hamilton, only David Murphy, Julio Borbon, and Mitch Moreland, among the regulars, hit left-handed, so there could be a gaping void in the heart of the order, which would serve to make match-ups easier on opposing managers.

Considering that Hamilton is tearing up right-handed pitchers in 2010 to a scorching .405 batting average, with a monstrous 1.175 OPS, versus a .271 and .789 against lefties, he would clearly force foes to burn through left-handed relief in an effort to subdue him late in games. If he’s not able to play regularly, that concern is not nearly as pronounced, since Vlad, Kinsler, and Michael Young are all more productive against left-handed pitchers and wouldn’t require opponents to make as many moves to their bullpen.

Of course, players like Murphy and Moreland can help to alleviate the balance issues, but they’re not nearly the offensive threat that Hamilton is that would require bullpen moves on a constant basis. Against a team such as the Yankees, this becomes even more of a consideration, since they have only one left-handed reliever in their bullpen, Boone Logan.

If Josh Hamilton is to make a significant impact for the Rangers this post-season, he must improve enough to play regularly in the outfield. Normally, the designated hitter role could be used to ease Hamilton into playing time and, even if he wasn’t fully healthy, to keep his potent bat in the lineup.

However, the Rangers’ second-most powerful bat, that of Vladimir Guerrero, resides nearly full-time in the DH spot, so that isn’t likely an option for Hamilton. Vlad has played a handful of 2010 games in right-field, but the Rangers have no desire to re-visit that defensive configuration, for the good of the defense, as well as helping to preserve Vlad’s health.

With apparently no set timetable for a return, and the regular season quickly dwindling, the health of Josh Hamilton is becoming a greater concern by the day. If the Texas Rangers hope to progress beyond the Division Series for the first time in franchise history, the status of their star outfielder must be resolved soon. Otherwise, fans in Arlington may have to wait another long off-season before getting the chance to urge the Rangers on once more.

Will the Lack of Adversity Down the Stretch Make It Difficult to “Turn It On” Come October?

After trudging through a mediocre April in which they bottomed out at 10-12, finding themselves in fourth place in the AL West on April 29, all the Rangers needed was a three-game winning streak to vault them into first place by May 2.

They continued to turn it around in May when they went 15-12, despite a run differential of only plus one. The modest improvement in their fortunes was enough to keep them in first or second for most of the second month of the season, never dipping more than a 0.5 games out of first through the end of May.

One last day of second place, on June 7, a half-game out, the Rangers then went on a tear over the course of the month, posting a stellar 21-6 record in June. That tremendous hot streak helped them to finish June at 47-30, 4.5 games up in the division. Then they turned on the cruise control.

Despite posting unimpressive monthly records of 14-13 in July, 13-15 in August, and 9-9 in September, the Rangers saw their lead in the West balloon to 10 full games on September 18. Somehow, although they’ve played baseball at a 36-37 pace since July 1, they have not held less than a 3.5 game lead during that span.

A division race that was expected to be a thrilling fight from April through September, the AL West has, in actuality, been anything but. Mike Scioscia’s always-tough Angels saw their season derailed by a few key injuries and maybe a couple mistakes on player personnel decisions.

The Mariners, after bringing in Cliff Lee, Chone Figgins, and Milton Bradley, became a trendy pick to challenge the perennially favored Angels for the division crown.

Oakland, despite their small market financial constraints, continually find ways to maximize their modest resources to remain competitive against their wealthier opposition.

The enthralling drama that was expected to take place never actually occurred. By the July 31 trading deadline, with the Rangers leading the West by 8.5 games, the only action of interest was the slew of veterans that Texas would pick up to solidify their position.

There is always the fear that a team with a significant division lead can become complacent without the everyday tension of a close race to keep them sharp. With such a seemingly insurmountable lead, games can take on the feeling of “meaningless” as the team easily breezes their way toward the post-season.

Of course, a sizable lead does afford a team certain luxuries as well, such as resting key players down the stretch to keep them healthy, and setting up your rotation in the final weeks, so that it is aligned precisely as you wish for the post-season run.

It’s never simple to determine how a team will react to a lack of competitive adversity down the stretch. Will they be able to reignite that fire that saw them claw their way to the top of the heap in the first place? Or will the shock of the postseason be too much for them to bear, once the level of intensity proves to be far greater than what they had grown accustomed to for several months of the regular season?

If the Rangers are to advance deep into October, they need to step it up a notch now, so they aren’t caught unaware once the playoffs begin.

Let the Games Begin

With less than two weeks of games left before baseball’s “second season” begins, time is running out for teams to put the finishing touches on their 2010 campaigns.

It’s often said that getting to the playoffs is the ambition, and that once there, anything can happen. If the Texas Rangers are blessed with a healthy Josh Hamilton, if they can find a way to win on the road, and are able to step up their game after months of running away with their division, the talent is there to finally bring a World Series championship to Arlington.

The time to answer those critical questions lurks just beyond the turn of the calendar into October.

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Previously, I had written a tribute to the Texas Rangers. But I had to pull it. 

Not because my feelings had changed, but because it was just a bunch of excited chatter I had thrown together in a hurry to show support for my favorite team.

To put it plainly, I did not do justice to the rise in prominence of my favorite team, the Texas Rangers.

It’s true the Rangers have had a bit of bad luck lately, with a recent series loss, a few slumps, and some injuries. But none of those are reasons to throw in the towel.

So this by no means is a retraction, but a reinvention. Much like what I see the Rangers have with players, coaches, and management.

But now looking at it again, I can’t think of a better way to describe the feelings that I share with all Rangers fans.

Except for a few small changes and the questioning of the title: The Rangers, for Real? Because in my mind, there is no question.

So here it comes again, The Rangers Revolution!

The Texas Rangers are for real! It’s hard for me to believe too. But these guys are doing it. 

Things we haven’t seen in years from a team filled with clutch performers. All the pieces are in place. Every one of the Rangers believes it too. This is a real team. All for one and one for all!

This has always been my team. Win or lose. My baseball season lives and dies with them. This year it’s alive and I think for the long run. I got a feeling I’m gonna be watching baseball in October this year and it’s going to be great!

We’ve got solid starting pitching. I’ve seen complete games, reliable relievers, and a closer that throws smoke.

We’ve seen clutch hitting, including walk off singles and home runs. And not just from one or two guys. Any player on this team can come up with a great play at any time, and even when it counts most.

I love this team! I mean what’s not to love?  It’s mid August in Arlington and it’s hot, really hot. And the Rangers are creating more heat than we’ve ever felt at the Ballpark. And it feels great!

And again, I’d like to give a special thanks to each and every member of the Texas Rangers organization.

ROCK ON RANGERS! 

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July 6, 2010. It was another game day in Major League Baseball and a week before the All-Star break. As teams tried to finish the first half of the season on a good note, 20,428 fans entered Rangers Ballpark in Arlington to watch the Texas Rangers play the Cleveland Indians.

On a day when 84 degrees is not a typical Texas summer day, the weather wasn’t the only thing out of the normal on that Tuesday night.

With the Rangers up 3-1, the game went to the bottom of the fifth. Nelson Cruz came up to bat with two outs. He fouled off his first pitch near the club level seats along the first base line.

“I was following the ball when I heard people gasp and start pointing all around me,” said 21-year-old Katrina Guinn. “When I turned to see what everyone was looking at, I saw the man trying to grab the railing around the second level box seats. His head hit the electronic wrap-around sign and he lost his grasp on the railing. He fell right into the middle of the section and landed on a couple of people, including a young boy.”

Tyler Morris, 25, fell from section 235 and landed in section 34. Guinn was sitting in section 33.

“There was no doubt that the fans were very disturbed to have witnessed the accident,” said Jerry Romo, a Spanish broadcaster for the Texas Rangers. “While some of them turned away, other cried and it seemed like a lot of them were praying for the victim who fell to be all right.”

Of those praying included Indians shortstop Jason Donald and left fielder Trevor Crowe, as seen in the television broadcasts.

The game was delayed for 16 minutes as Morris and four other fans were examined by paramedics. Morris regained his conscience and was taken to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas. He was released two days later.

“C.J. Wilson pitched an amazing game with several strikeouts, Nellie Cruz and Vlad Guerrero hit a couple of home runs, but still very little cheering,” said 17-year-old Austin Jones.

Jones was sitting in the “Home Run Porch” in right field, which was where the last time a fan fell from the upper deck. A lady fell on April 11, 1994 in that section while posing for a picture after the Rangers home opener. Afterwards, the rails in that section were raised from 30.5 inches to 46 inches. 

Recently in 2005, a 18-year-old man intentionally jumped from the upper deck at Yankee Stadium and landed on the netting over the home plate seats. In 2008, a 25-year-old man tried to slide on the stair railing at Turner Field and slipped over, falling to his death. In 2009, a 34-year-old man fainted in the heat at Busch Stadium and fell onto an empty seat.

“The only way I see this being prevented is to change regulations regarding the height of rails at stadiums,” Romo said. “From what I understand, Major League Baseball calls for rails to be no lower than 26 inches tall. The Rangers Ballpark in Arlington exceeds that by at least four inches.”

Even a week after the incident, those who witnessed the fall are having a hard time forgetting about it.

“There are a lot of things in ballparks that have to be fixed and you’d like to see people be a little more proactive. We need higher rails so that doesn’t happen. I’ve always said they should bring the nets behind home plate to the other side of the dugouts. Balls zip in there all the time and there are little kids that have seats right behind our dugout,” Michael Young said according to ESPN.com .

“Just the other day I pinched myself and was like, ‘Dad, did that really happen? Did I really see a man come tumbling down helplessly?’ Just talking about it gives me the chills,” said Allyson Guinn, Katrina’s younger sister.

Allyson is only 13. She was also sitting in section 33 with her sister, which is located behind the Rangers’ dugout. 

“It was one of the most disturbing things I’ve ever seen. Something I will never forget,” Jones said.

“It’s not everyday you see somebody falling more than 30 feet onto a sea of people. I really wish I hadn’t seen the accident at all,” said Romo.  “This wasn’t the first time a fan falls from a higher deck to a lower one at a sporting event and as much as we would like for it not to happen again, it probably will.”

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

We are officially less than a week away from the 2010 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

The 81st annual midseason exhibition will definitely be one to watch, as there are several dynamics to look forward to: a cluster of new faces, a bunch of superstars coming back, and the question of whether or not the National League can beat the American League for the first time in since 1996.

With that being said, there is one experienced veteran who is probably not going to see his name on the roster. He has made six consecutive All-Star appearances, and would love to see his streak continue with a seventh this year.

He is none other than the Texas Rangers’ Michael Young.

To this date, the 33-year old California native is on the verge of making it to the 200-hit plateau for the sixth time of his career.

Not only is he presently fourth in hits in the American League (106), but he is also ranked sixth in total bases (170), 10th in extra-base hits (38), and ninth in runs scored (56). He’s also hitting .306 with 12 home runs and 53 RBI.

“I love going to the All-Star Game,” Young said. “I have a great time every time I go. But we have five guys. Whether I go or not, it never changes, my goal. It’s always to have a big year and help our team win as many games as I can.”

Young finished in third place among third basemen in this year’s voting, behind Evan Longoria and Alex Rodriguez, respectively.

Four years ago, Young was the hero for the American League winners, hitting a game-winning two-run triple in the top of the ninth inning. That earned him the prestigious Ted Williams MLB All-Star MVP that year.

Young has quietly made a name for himself as one of the best contact hitters in the game today. His stellar offensive season so far for the Rangers has helped keep the franchise in first place in the American League West—not to mention lead them to the best 75-game start in franchise history.

And here is a fun fact: Michael Young’s six appearances in a row are third-most among active players, only behind Ichiro (10) and Albert Pujols (8).

However, when it comes to the 2010 All-Star Game, there is almost no chance of him making it off the Final Vote ballot.

Although he is a hitting machine, Young is surprisingly not needed to represent the American League. As consistent and productive as Young has been, there are three third basemen who deserve to be in the All-Star Game more than Young.

But what is coincidental is that all three All-Star third basemen play for the top three teams in the American League East. Let’s take a look at the third basemen who have already team.

First in line is Evan Longoria of the Tampa Bay Rays, who is leading his team in a push for a possible playoff berth with 13 homers and 61 RBI.

His WAR (wins above replacement) is also fifth in the American League. His power, speed, and defense continue to make this young star one of the best in the game. There is no way Michael Young is making the All-Star game if E-Longlorious doesn’t.

Another man at the hot corner playing in the All-Star game is a man who puts up big numbers year after year: Alex Rodriguez.

He is making his 13th appearance at the midsummer classic, and rightfully so. Third in the American League with 67 RBI, A-Rod just keeps piling up numbers which epitomizes why he is one of the best to ever play the game.

Unless he had missed a significant part of the first half, it would have been shocking if A-Rod didn’t put up a decent season and find himself in the All-Star game.

Rounding out the list is Adrian Beltre, who is contributing quite well to the Boston Red Sox’s run for the playoffs.

His first All-Star appearance is well deserved, as he has maintained a .334 batting average (good for fifth in the American League) and has hit 12 homers and brought in 54 runs.

Not only is he in the top five in batting average so far, but he is currently in the top five in hits (105), doubles (25), and range factor (both per game and per nine innings); he’s also in the top ten in total bases (168) and extra-base hits (38). Statistically, he is arguably the most successful Red Sox player offensively.

Does Michael Young deserve to be on the All-Star roster instead of Beltre? No.

But teammate Ian Kinsler doesn’t agree.

“Numbers-wise, he’s probably better than two of the guys who are going. I don’t know what Longoria’s numbers are or Alex’s but I can’t believe they’re better than Mike’s. He’s the leader of our team. He’s basically the glue that keeps our team together. All of us want him to go.”

Letting go of the aspect that the American League is already loaded with decent third basemen, there are still several reasons why Michael Young doesn’t stand a chance in winning the Final Vote. Take a look at the other four players in competition with him: Kevin Youkilis, Nick Swisher, Paul Konerko, and Delmon Young.

Youkilis and Swisher are currently neck and neck, and Paul Konerko recently passed Michael Young for third place on the ballot. My guess is that Young is going to be fourth on the list once the final results come out. With the huge Red Sox and Yankees fanbases, and the years that both Swisher and Youkilis have put up so far, I’d be shocked if one of them didn’t win it.

Personally, I believe that Kevin Youkilis deserve the nod out of all five of them. We’ll just see what happens.

He’s had a marvelous year, leading the league in runs scored (66) and cracking the top five in a myriad of statistics, including: wins above replacement (3.3), on-base percentage (.409), slugging percentage (.574), on-base plus slugging percentage (.983), walks (51), adjusted OPS (156), runs created (71), adjusted batting wins (2.3), offensive winning percentage (.764), and win probability added (2.6)…not to mention that he is a spectacular defensive first baseman.

If that’s not enough for you, I don’t know what is.

The Rangers are doing everything they can to get Michael Young as much support as possible. The Rangers and Nationals just announced a voting alliance—the “Third Base Ticket”—that they hope will benefit Young and Washington’s Ryan Zimmerman. This was after finding out that Nick Swisher is using his Twitter account to do the same thing.

“If I was making a commercial, I wouldn’t be in it. I’d hire someone to do it,” Young said. “That’s really not my style. I’ve been really fortunate that all the fans here in Texas have been so supportive of me. So we’ll see how it all shakes out. I’d love to go, but I’m not going to do any campaigning or anything like that.”

He went on saying that he’d be honored to go, and that the All-Star Game is always a lot of fun.

Will Young be the third consecutive third baseman to win the AL Final Vote, following Brandon Inge last year and Evan Longoria the year before? There are several reasons why one would vote for him, but are they good enough to beat the other four on the list?

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

It seems that there is always a lot of complaining about the All Star rosters, no matter who makes the team.

Fans not only complain about the process of selecting the players, but they will often heavily criticize the manager’s selections as well.

However, the fact remains that this year’s American League roster is loaded with talent, and there are very good reasons for each player being on the team who was selected.

Despite this, there are still many position players and pitchers out there who also have a very strong argument for being on the roster as well.

Here are the top 10 players who were left off of this year’s American league roster.

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