PeteAbe’s got the word. Paps thinks he’s earned it by closing out the World Series last year. With Joakim Soria (292 ERA+, 2 BSV) Joe Nathan (348, 2) and the Hammer of God (384, 0) on the team, Papelbon (178, 4) should be grateful if he pitches after the 6th.
Just like the good ol’ days
Posted by mobile phone:
We’re in the top of the first at the All Star Celebrity Legends Softball game, and the Bleacher Creature just did roll call for Paul O’Neill and Tino Martinez. Awww.
Remind me again why this game counts?
A select list of catchers who are having a better season than All Star Catcher Jason Varitek™, based on VORP:
A.J. Pierzynski
Kelly Shoppach
Jorge Posada
Chad Moeller
Victor Martinez
Toby Hall
Mike Redmond
Mike DiFelice
Sal Fasano
Ramon Hernandez
Kevin Cash
Chris Stewart
A list of catchers who more plate appearances who are having worse seasons than All Star Catcher Jason Varitek™:
Jose Molina
Kenji Johjima
I understand that the players want to honor those they respect with a spot on the All Star team. I understand that the players may despise A.J. Pierzynski. But frankly, it’s embarrassing to baseball when they promote a mid-season exhibition game under the slogan “this time it counts” while allowing the players to vote a catcher who is hitting .218/.300/.358 over 273 plate appearances and who has nabbed just under 18 percent of would-be base stealers this season on to the All Star team. It shouldn’t count.
Open thread on something entirely different coming later.
All-Star Teams announced
The fan votes are in and the reserves have been picked. Derek Jeter and A-Rod won the popularity contest and will start the game at short and third. A-Rod was the leading vote getter for the second straight year. Ian Kinsler Dustin Pedroia will start at second. Our campaign was futile.
The selection show is on TBS right now. I’ll update this post once the pitchers & reserves are announced.
Update (2:35): The NL pitchers & reserves have been announced. Johan Santana didn’t make the team, but Ryan Dempster did. Hah. Looks like Billy Wagner is the only Met headed to the Midsummer Classic. I can’t wait to see Timmy Lincecum take the mound in the Boogie Down, but how in the world does Carlos Marmol not make the team? Look at those numbers. I believe the term is “sick.” PeteAbe has the full rosters for ya.
Update (2:50): The AL pitchers & reserves have been announced. Mariano Rivera made it, now lets see if Francona has the guts to start him. Jason Varitek inexplicably made the team; his OPS+ is 73. One time great Yankee prospect Dioner Navarro made the team, I’m super happy for him. That’s it, no Johnny Damon or Mike Mussina.
Update (2:55): The Final Vote players were announced, so you can vote Jason Giambi into the game.
Vote Ian for ASG
Ian Kinsler last night was a one-man wrecking crew at the top of the Rangers’ lineup. He went two for three with two walks, stole three bases and scored the game-winning run in the top of the 9th. For his efforts, Yankee fans and the YES Network awarded him with the Chevy Player of the Game. Let’s see if we can do better.
On the season, Kinsler is having quite a year in his third year with the Rangers. He’s hitting .324/.380/.536 with 187 total bases, 13 HR, 50 RBI and 23 stolen bases. He’s been caught on the base paths just once. By any stretch, those numbers make him the obvious choice for the All Star Game.
Except that he plays in Texas, and really, who follows the Rangers? Instead, this guy with his .303/.348/.439 line is leading in the latest AL balloting results. While honestly Dustin Pedroia isn’t a bad choice for second base, he’s not the best choice, and he’s not the guy Yankee fans want to see manning second base during the All Star Game in the Bronx in two weeks.
So with just 14 hours left in the voting, let’s see what we can do. Let’s get Pedroia out, and Kinsler in. In the grand style of Chicago politics, everyone is allowed to vote up to 25 times (per e-mail address) on MLB.com. If, optimistically, just half of the visitors to RAB voted for Ian Kinsler 25 times today, we could send nearly 100,000 votes his way. Stranger things have happened.
Head on over to the MLB.com All Star Ballot, and vote Kinsler. Otherwise, don’t complain when widdle Dusty is starting at second base in two weeks.
The Village People and the Y.M.C.A. live at the All Star Game
Love it (somehow) or hate it (as most people do), the Yankee Stadium grounds crew rendition of the Y.M.C.A. has stuck around long past its expiration date. While we’ve advocated leaving this tired routine at the old stadium next year, the Yanks have other plans. According to an industry insider, the Y.M.C.A. will get the grand treatment at the All Star Game this year. The Village People, originators of this torturous song, will be performing the song live alongside the grounds crew during the All Star Game this year. I have no words.
Final All Star balloting update
Maury Brown takes a look at the final All Star balloting update prior to the official announcement of the big game’s rosters. While Joe Mauer is maintaining a lead over Jason Varitek, Ian Kinsler has still not yet caught up with the undeserving Dustin Pedroia. Bobby Abreu and Johnny Damon remain on the outside looking in while Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez are on pace to be the only two Yankee starters at the Mid-Summer Classic.