Made my picks for next Tuesday's MLB All-Star Game last week, using solid methodology. Oh well.
Of the 34 AL picks, I got five position players wrong and five pitchers wrong, getting 24 of 34 (70.6 percent). In the NL, I pegged 23 of 34 (67.7 percent). Nothing to crow about.
I've got some issues with at least six selections on the All-Star rosters, and a seventh that happened only because of circumstance.
Arthur Rhodes, Reds: Really? I know he's having a great season as a setup lefty, but since when is he one of the 13 best pitchers in the National League? Mat Latos (9-4, 2.62 ERA, 99.2 IP, 70 H, 91 Ks, 0.96 WHIP, .193 opponents' batting average) of the Padres was absolutely robbed.
Ryan Howard, Phillies: Great power hitter, but a total homer call by Phillies manager Charlie Manuel. He picked his first baseman over Joey Votto of the Reds, who leads the NL in OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging) and has four more homers and is hitting 20 points higher than Howard.
Omar Infante, Braves: Just because you need a backup infielder doesn't mean you need you actually need to pick a utility infielder, Charlie. When is the last time the All-Star team needed a utility player? Geez. Infante is hitting .311 with one homer in 56 games. Votto could have gone in this spot, too. Terrible pick.
Evan Meek, Pirates: I know you have to pick one Pirate, but wouldn't the world rather see the dynamic Andrew McCutchen over a middle reliever who likely won't play?
David Ortiz, Red Sox: The players picked him even after a cold start. Meanwhile, Alex Rios and Michael Young are snubbed. Rios (.312, 13 HR) isn't even on the final ballot for fans.
Matt Thornton, White Sox: Joe Girardi also picks a middle reliever. Wouldn't Rios or Paul Konerko have been better selections from the White Sox? Girardi didn't have to pick 13 pitchers.
Fausto Carmona, Indians: He's 7-6 with a 3.68 ERA and is Cleveland's lone representative. He's the beneficiary of Shin-Soo Choo going on the DL, and is taking the spot of somebody like Justin Verlander or Jered Weaver. (By the way, the host Angels have just one All-Star: Torii Hunter.)
And MLB missed a chance to create buzz by not putting Stephen Strasburg on the final ballot for fans to vote upon. The NL ballot has four players I had picked to make the roster (Carlos Gonzalez, Votto, Billy Wagner and Ryan Zimmerman) and Padres closer Heath Bell, who is deserving.
Full All-Star rosters for the American League and National League
Comments
The Latos and Votto snubs were awful and guys like Holliday and Infante who had no business being at the All Star game were selected over players like Carlos Gonzalez of the Rockies or rafael Furcal of the Dodgers. Charlie Manuel’s selections were A JOKE.THEY WERE PATHETIC. And to top it all off the leagues’ ERA leaders don’t have a single representative and a closer with 16 saves gets chosen over a guy with 23? The NL All Star team is a joke, I hope the NL loses again.
It’s spelled Jered Weaver. You’ll have a little more credibility is y’all learn to speel their names correctly.
The All-Star game was changed by Bud Selig to something “that counts.” If you are a traditionalist, then some of Manuel’s selections are hard to understand. However, since Charlie was the N.L. manager in the world series the last 2 years and didn’t get home field advantage, it makes sense to me why he chose the players he did. The Phillies may not be back this year but if the NL wins, I’ll bet the manager of this year’s NL champion will be grateful. Rhodes and Meeks have been very effective relievers and are used to coming into close games late. Starters often take an inning or two to get into a groove. As far as Infante I agree it seems pretty unfair but with the new rule that allows a player to re-enter a game in case of an injury, you need someone that you can plug in anywhere. Votto is clearly having a better year than Howard and will almost certainly be voted in as the extra player. Charlie picked his guy over Votto. He isn’t the first manager to do this and won’t be the last. Unless you take the decisions out of the manager’s hands you can expect favoritism.
Latos got completely robbed! Even after a horrible start, he’s put up those kind of numbers. A similar argument about Latos not making the All Star team is on http://MatLatos.com
I think it’s called “Mat Latos Snubbed”