http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/front/3260413 July 10, 2005, 9:49PM Astros' Ensberg added to NL All-Star team By RICHARD JUSTICE Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle Astros third baseman Morgan Ensberg was added to the National League All-Star Team late Sunday night. He'll join Roger Clemens, Brad Lidge and Roy Oswalt to give the Astros four All-Stars in Tuesday's contest. Ensberg leads all NL third basemen in home runs (24) and RBIs (66). However, he appeared to have been left off the squad after fans voted Scott Rolen of the Cardinals to start the game and players voted Aramis Ramirez of the Cubs to be the backup. It's unclear who Ensberg will be replacing. In just his third big league season, Ensberg is one shy of his previous career high in home runs (25 in 2003). He's also one shy of his previous career high in RBIs (65 in 2004). He had just three home runs and 35 RBIs at the all-star break last season. This spring, he disclosed he had been suffering from a sore elbow.
i had a feeling that larussa added rollins to replace isturiz because he knew rolen would give up his spot
CHOOOOO CHOOOOOOO! HR Ensberg! Yeah baby! Can ya tell? I'm a happy camper! I'm so glad he didn't get snubbed.
They had to choice but to add Rollins based on the rules set up. If a fan's choice has to opt out of the game, the second place finisher at that position has to be added.
Nope, Rollins is on because the rules say that the next highest vote getter at the player who stepped down's position gets the nod. Edit: Oops, looks like it twas explained above.
Sweet! If any Stro's position player deserves it its Ensberg. He's been knocking the hide off of the ball.
I guess its fitting that 10 of the 32 man roster is comprised of last year's NLCS partcipants. Cards - Rolen (maybe) Izzy Carp Pujols Eckstein (??) Edmonds (the killah) Astros - Roger Roy Morgan Lights Out Frankly... I think you could probably beat the AL with just the best from either of these two teams (their lineup, with Lance and Morgan... and our pitching with Carpenter and Izzy).
Does that mean that Ensberg finished 2nd in the fan voting behind Rolen, or even 3rd behind Rolen and Ramirez? Otherwise, Rolen's place should technically be taken by somebody else? I don't know what the final vote tally was, but I didn't think Ensberg finished that high. Maybe TLR or somebody even higher up bent the rules a bit? Deep down inside I knew he would be added to the squad somehow.
Is that why Morgan has been added? If so where did you hear that because the article above doesn't mention any thing about that?
I think its based on the player's vote... not the fans. If that's the case, Morgan was most likely the second highest 3B on most players ballots.
OK, because I just found the final fan balloting and Ensberg was sixth. Still nothing about this on any national sites or even Astros.com or MLB.com.
I was over at the Cardinals message board... apparently Rolen tweaked his shoulder in one of his AB's tonight, and Tony thought he should rest it over the break.
