YOU’RE a third of the way through the season, your team’s in first and you’re feeling good. But then you remember the old rotisserie baseball adage: it’s a marathon, not a sprint.
Then you become even more distraught when you look in your rearview mirror and see the team directly behind you has a star ready reclaim his rightful spot in the lineup.
You can make an All-Star team with the players who are coming back from injury this month or the beginning of July:
Catcher: Joe Mauer, Twins. We finally get to see if the rookie hype is deserved. Justin Morneau was sent down and Matt LeCroy sits.
First: Jason Giambi, Yanks. If for some reason you own Tony Clark, keep him. He’ll still play a bunch at first while Giambi DHs.
Second: Orlando Hudson, Blue Jays or Jose Reyes, Mets. Reyes owners have been waiting forever for his return. Hudson will be back at the end of the month. Frank Menechino will play in his stead.
Third: Bill Mueller, Red Sox. He probably won’t be back until the middle of July, but we’ll put him here and pump up Kevin Youkilis. Also look out for Wes Helms (Brewers), who will be back the end of June.
Shortstop: Nomar Garciaparra, Red Sox. How many people were waiting for this guy’s return? Keep an eye on what manager Terry Francona does with the second-base slot. Our bet is on Mark Bellhorn staying and Pokey Reese sitting.
Outfield: Tim Salmon (Angels), Garret Anderson (Angels) and Larry Walker (Rockies). Salmon will be back soon and Anderson said that he felt fine after hitting balls off a tee this week. That means Jeff DaVanon owners should fret. He’ll be back to the bench. Walker is still a ways off, but is making progress. Also keep an eye out for fellow Rockie Preston Wilson, who could return within a month and a half.
P: Mark Prior (Cubs), Josh Beckett (Marlins). We wrote last week that Tommy Phelps would be booted to the pen once A.J. Burnett came back. We were wrong, sort of. He got a reprieve once Beckett’s blister put him on the DL. Continue to ride Phelps. Prior’s return means the end of Sergio Mitre. But Glendon Rusch has a couple more starts until Kerry Wood’s return, and he’s been pitching very well.