Barb’s Burblings

A writer at Sports Illustrated named My Boyfriend Brian Roberts captain of his All Underrated Team–the best players at each position who didn’t make the All-Star Team. Nick Markakis also made it, though the writer–after naming Nick the representative right fielder–keeps referring to him as playing left field. Bizarre, but I’m obviously not going to hold it against him. Not when he writes nice things like this:

How underrated has Roberts been this year? He has more home runs (15) and RBIs (73) than reigning AL MVP Dustin Pedroia and more hits (164) than Chase Utley. He has a higher on-base percentage (.355) than Robinson Cano, and a higher slugging percentage (.463) than Dan Uggla despite the fact that Uggla has almost twice as many home runs. Roberts is also going to finish the season with over 30 stolen bases, is currently tied for the most runs scored (100) by a second baseman and will likely lead the league in doubles.

Hearts, Brian!

(For the record, my boy Brian Matusz is duking it out with Jeff Fiorentino for Reserve Oriole Boyfriend. Matty [which is my nickname for Matusz] has the brighter future, but I have a soft spot for Screech.)