First of all, there are several problems with the rosters themselves. Being in the American League has its advantages here. Both leagues have 34 representatives. However, the American League has 14 teams and the National League has 16 teams, so the AL gets more stars for its buck. And this year, the American League is correctly represented, for the most part. I don't have any problem with Cano starting (though I do take issue with him wussing out of the Home Run Derby). In fact, I don't have a problem with any of the starters. The Red Sox have had more than their fair share of injuries these year - recently to 3 players elected to the all-star game in the form of catcher Victor Martinez, 2B Dustin Pedroia, and starting pitcher Clay Buchholz. So these guys, despite being voted in, are most likely not going to be playing. Pedroia and Martinez have had other players fill in their roles, though I'm not as sure about Buchholz.
And these reserves are part of the problem. See, Ian Kinsler replaced Pedroia, and Joe Buck replaced Martinez. But there are other better players out there who deserve their spots, such as third baseman Michael Young of the Texas Rangers (Kinsler's teammate) and first baseman Paul Konerko of the Chicago White Sox. Of the all-stars on the final vote, despite my bias I feel Swisher was maybe fourth, ahead of Delmon Young, as far as players who deserved to go. Now, don't get me wrong- I think Swisher is having a very good year and has improved majorly as a hitter. But the only real reason he got to go was because he plays for New York, the largest Metropolis in the United States. Those other guys all deserve to go.
This brings me to my problems with the all-star game itself. I know, that ordinarily baseball is played with a roster of 25 players. The all-star rosters have grown in size over the years. But this is necessary because players who truly deserve to go keep getting left off. If you ask me, there should be 40 players on the roster. Also, each team does not need a utility player, as Bud Selig seems to think. If we have all these other guys around, and the game runs long, they will be available. I have always been of the opinion that we should be more inclusive and less exclusive. But I guess I don't understand the world that well. In addition, the all-star game should not determine home-field advantage in the World Series. It should just be a fun game because it is for the fans. The players should get to have fun too, not feel that huge pressure for a change.
Several AL players who got snubbed are: Kevin Youkilis, Michael Young, Paul Konerko (the final ballot guys), Felix Hernandez, Jered Weaver (bigtime), and Magglio Ordonez. There are more, to be sure, but these are the ones that stand out to me.
Anyway, on to the National League. There are many more snubs in this league by design, and more questionable selections. Especially at the catcher position. Miguel Olivo, who is FAR AND AWAY the best catcher in the NL, did not even make the team as a reserve. The fans voted in Yadier Molina because they love him so much and St. Louis fans are as populous and intelligent as house mice. Heyward was voted in despite lagging behind other NL outfielders, but he will not get to play due to injury. He was likely voted in because he will one day be a star, but he is not at that level yet. And neither is Stephen Strasburg. He started pitching, what, two weeks ago? I know he's great and he's going to be great, but he has not even played a full first half.
Also, Joey Votto, an MVP Candidate WAS NOT VOTED ON BY THE PLAYERS. He won the final vote. Honestly, I had been voting for Heath Bell, a closer for the Padres, but he made it by virtue of injury so the choice was fairly easy. Though, Billy Wagner is also having a stellar season as a closer for the Braves in his old age....I wish the Red Sox could have kept him. We really could have used him due to the retardation of the bullpen this year. Other problems include Omar Infante who has not even had a full season. I guess he's the utility guy but I don't really care. There are good starters in the NL who got snubbed, such as Mat Latos of the Padres, who have the best rotation in the NL. Ryan Zimmerman and Carlos Gonzalez, also on the final vote, will have a short vacation.
Overall, despite all the problems with the all-star game, it is still a good time. I suppose, as a Red Sox fan, I will be rather bored, considering only Beltre and Papi are going to be able to play at all, and Youk is not going. But still, it will be a good time. However, there are those like Miguel Olivo sitting on the outside who really should not be. It is the flawed system of the all-star roster making that I hope one day will be fixed. Every year it is like this, though, so I'm not really expecting a change. The game will be played in Anaheim on July 13. I wonder what the pre-game festivities will consist of this year. Maybe Youkilis and Papelbon will get to go if some other team suffers some of the injuries we have this year. But for now, Youkilis is a spectator, watching another Yankee douchebag get voted in by a vast legion of New Yawkas.
No comments:
Post a Comment