Lest Deserving All-Star

[Guest CED Ordonez]

Something that confuses me with MLB's logic: If this is for home field advantage in the World Series, why not put in the best players you have from both sides? I can understand having a player from each team to have equal representation, but why have potentially weak links on your team if there's something fairly big on the line?

[Guest Bosstones Fan]

Something that confuses me with MLB's logic: If this is for home field advantage in the World Series, why not put in the best players you have from both sides? I can understand having a player from each team to have equal representation, but why have potentially weak links on your team if there's something fairly big on the line?

And that's problem #1 with baseball's decision to attach home-field advantage to the All-Star Game. I'll tell you what: if my Cubbies end up losing the World Series in Game 7 on a walk-off job of some sort because Benitez or Mike Williams gives up a big one next Tuesday night, then I will personally firebomb Bud Selig's house.

 

 

 

NOTE: I realize the above scenario is entirely dependent on the Cubs actually making it to the World Series (which is very doubtful now that Patterson is done for the year ), but a guy can dream can't he?

[Guest Brian]

I don't understand why Hasegawa is on the list or even has votes. The guy is pitching incredible, with something like a 0.81 ERA in 44 innings of relief.

[Guest jimmy no nose]

Right now I am very confused about why Mike Williams is on the team as earlier today I get an e-mail from the Pirates saying to be sure to vote for Kenny Lofton as the final player on the All-Star team. If they have a guy worthy of being one of the 5 chosen for the final spot he definitely should have gone over Williams for the spot.

[Guest DrTom]

I know Lance Carter pitches for a perennially shitty team (which is why I'd rank him on the list), but I don't see how he qualifies over Mike Williams. Williams' ERA is about two full runs a game more than Carter's, and Williams is the one who's supposed to be the veteran.

 

And Foulke has had a very good season. He's the most valuable AL closer in terms of fantasy dollars for the first half, which is more significant than it seems, since fantasy leagues track the relevant stats for pitchers.

[Guest Hogan Made Wrestling]

I don't see why Matsui is getting all these votes. Ok maybe he didn't deserve to make the starting lineup, but he should be on the team for sure. He's hitting .300 and on pace for 120+ RBIs.

[Guest alkeiper]

Right now I am very confused about why Mike Williams is on the team as earlier today I get an e-mail from the Pirates saying to be sure to vote for Kenny Lofton as the final player on the All-Star team. If they have a guy worthy of being one of the 5 chosen for the final spot he definitely should have gone over Williams for the spot.

 

Brian Giles is getting screwed, big time.

[Guest DrTom]

Ok maybe he didn't deserve to make the starting lineup, but he should be on the team for sure. He's hitting .300 and on pace for 120+ RBIs.

Sure, he deserves a spot on the team. He's adjusted to playing American baseball very well after an initial rough transition. He's not a natural CF, though he'll probably be there next Tuesday. There's no reason that Vernon Wells shouldn't be the AL's starting CF except for the fact that homer-voting idiot fans don't know who he is. This is precisely the reason fans shouldn't elect All-Stars, but that's another matter entirely.

[Guest Vern Gagne]

Brian Giles is getting screwed, big time.

No he isn't. He's only played in 62 games. Any player who misses close to 25 games isn't getting majorly screwed out of a spot.

[Guest alkeiper]

Sure, he deserves a spot on the team. He's adjusted to playing American baseball very well after an initial rough transition. He's not a natural CF, though he'll probably be there next Tuesday. There's no reason that Vernon Wells shouldn't be the AL's starting CF except for the fact that homer-voting idiot fans don't know who he is. This is precisely the reason fans shouldn't elect All-Stars, but that's another matter entirely.

 

Two points of contention here. First, the fan voting. Fan voting is cructial to the All Star Game. The fans are the ones who watch the game. If the fans lose interest, then the game is meaningless. A few bad players making the All Star Game is better than turning the fans off entirely. Now, FIXING the fan voting is another matter, and needs to be done, ASAP.

 

Second, Vernon Wells is not a clear cut choice here. He's 9th among eligible outfielders in OPS. 12th in batting average. 18th in OBP. 7th in slugging percentage. He leads in HRs and RBIs. Those aren't the end all, be all of stats.

 

No [brian Giles] isn't. He's only played in 62 games. Any player who misses close to 25 games isn't getting majorly screwed out of a spot.

 

1. He's got enough ABs to qualify for the batting title.

 

2. He's got a .444 OBP, second in the National League.

 

3. He's posted a .400+ OBP every year since 1999. He's got a track record of proven success.

 

4. The All Star game means something now, doesn't it? If I'm playing to win, I want Brian Giles on my team.

 

5. The fans still have to vote him in.

 

6. If nothing else, you can point out how Brian and Marcus Giles get to play on the same side.

[Guest Vern Gagne]

I'm not saying Giles shouldn't make it. Just that missing that many games, IMO doesn't warrant getting majorly screwed.

 

A question I have. Can Dusty Baker put one of the starting Outfielders at DH, and play Preston Wilson at CF.

[Guest alkeiper]

I hope so. Otherwise, we're going to see either Sheffield, Pujols, or Bonds in center. I'd take Edmonds over Preston Wilson to start however.

[Guest Vern Gagne]

Pujos is the starting CF. Wilson was just the first guy that can into my head.

[Guest DrTom]

A few bad players making the All Star Game is better than turning the fans off entirely. Now, FIXING the fan voting is another matter, and needs to be done, ASAP.

That's what I'd like to see. It shouldn't be taken completely out of the fans' hands, but this is supposed to be the All-*Star* game, not the Mr. Popularity Classic. I'd like to see a three-tiered system: fan votes, player votes, and sportscaster votes all count, and are combined to determine the starting players. This way, the fans still have an input, but homerism doesn't taint the rosters as much.

 

Second, Vernon Wells is not a clear cut choice here. He's 9th among eligible outfielders in OPS. ... Those aren't the end all, be all of stats.

They are to a lot of the people who do the voting. Besides, Wells is having a tremendous year early in his career and should be rewarded. If there were a natural CF among the starters, I wouldn't be calling for him as much, but I think he should get the starting job in center as opposed to playing Matsui out of position. Remember, the game "counts."

[Guest Vern Gagne]

How much would the fans really care if they couldn't vote anymore? Fan voting didn't used to happen.

 

But the 1/3 fans, 1/3 players, and 1/3 media would be the best idea, besides getting rid of the fan voting completley.

[Guest Some Guy]

I'm not getting the Ramon Hernandez pick over Jason Varitek. Varitek has Hernandez beat offensivley in every category. Defensive might go to Hernandez, but it's an All-Star game. Varitek is capable of calling a game.

I'd say he's more than just capable of calling a game. In 98 and 99 the Sox had the best team ERA in the AL, Varitek caught those staffs which was basically Pedro and the rest. Hell Varitek deserves to start. Posada has about 2 more HRs than Tek and that's about it.

[Guest Vern Gagne]

Varitek and Jenkins were just announced has the final members of the two teams.

[Guest alkeiper]

Shit that was quick.