Odd Man Rush

Today the selections for the 2008 All Star Game were announced.  Here’s a record of my initial reactions.

12:56 PM CT: Before we get started, I’ll share with you who I think each team’s representative should be.  This is not based on position scarcity or likelihood of being named, but who the best player on each team has been thus far.  Teams not likely to get starters voted in are in bold.

Arizona - Brandon Webb
Atlanta – Chipper Jones
Baltimore – Brian Roberts
Boston – Kevin Youkilis
Chicago Cubs – Carlos Zambrano
Chicago White Sox – Carlos Quentin
Cincinnati – Edinson Volquez
Cleveland – Cliff Lee
Colorado – Matt Holliday
Detroit – Miguel Cabrera
Florida – Hanley Ramirez
Houston – Lance Berkman
Kansas City – Zach Greinke
Los Angeles - James Loney
Los Angeles of Anaheim – Francisco Rodriguez
Milwaukee – Ryan Braun
Minnesota – Joe Mauer
New York Mets - David Wright
New York Yankees – Alex Rodriguez
Oakland – Justin Duchscherer
Philadelphia – Chase Utley
Pittsburgh – Nate McLouth
St. Louis – Albert Pujols
San Diego – Adrian Gonzalez
San Francisco – Bengie Molina
Seattle – Ichiro Suzuki
Tampa Bay – Andy Sonnanstine
Texas – Josh Hamilton
Toronto - Roy Halladay
Washington – Cristian Guzman

1:00: Here we go.  Let’s hope we don’t get too many comments about how the "fans got it wrong."

1:05: The AL Starters: Joe Mauer, Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia, Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Josh Hamilton, Manny Ramirez, Ichiro Suzuki, David Ortiz. 

It’s a shame that Pedroia’s going to take someone’s spot, but it’s hard to argue with the others.  I wrote in Carlos Quentin as the third outfielder, but write-ins never make it.  It doesn’t matter that Ortiz got voted in, because he won’t make it to the game anyway.

1:07: Inexplicably, the commentators spend a good 90 seconds talking about Pedroia, the least deserving starter.  Ugh.  You’re better than that, Cal Ripken.

1:18: Great interview with Josh Hamilton.  We’ve all heard his story many times, but hearing it from Josh himself is powerful.  This guy knows that he’s a role model and he tries to live up to that, which is refreshing. 

1:22: NL Starters: Geovany Soto, Lance Berkman, Chase Utley, Hanley Ramirez, Chipper Jones, Ryan Braun, Alfonso Soriano, Kosuke Fukudome.  Soriano shouldn’t be in, but he probably won’t make the game either. 

1:30: Terrible interviewing of Chase Utley by the three former players.  I couldn’t think of worse questions to ask someone who just got voted into the All-Star Game.  "Tell me about the pitching you face.  (before Chase answers)  Why do you get hit so much?"  "Congratulations on making the All Star Game.  If you didn’t know, I used to play shortstop.  What’s it like playing with Jimmy Rollins?"  "Have you ever played in Yankee Stadium?"  Your research didn’t tell you if he had?  Let’s talk about how some have said that Utley might one day be considered the best second baseman ever, or about how he’s leading the majors in home runs.  This is why players shouldn’t be conducting interviews (or reading highlights, a la NFL).

1:35: NL Pitching Staff: Aaron Cook, Tim Lincecum, Dan Haren, Ben Sheets, Carlos Zambrano, Brandon Webb, Ryan Dempster, Brian Wilson, Edinson Volquez, Kerry Wood, Brad Lidge, Billy Wagner.

1:38: NL Reserves: Brian McCann, Aramis Ramirez, Matt Holliday, Dan Uggla, Miguel Tejada, Russell Martin, Nate McLouth, Albert Pujols, Ryan Ludwick, Adrian Gonzalez, Cristian Guzman. 

I have to say that I’m pretty satisfied with the selections for the National League, although I’m not sure about Brian Wilson.  I didn’t like Russell Martin over Bengie Molina at first, but on further review, I’ll allow it.

1:49: AL Pitching Staff: Scott Kazmir, George Sherrill, Roy Halladay, Mariano Rivera, Jonathan Papelbon, Justin Duchscherer, Joe Nathan, Joakim Soria, Cliff Lee, Francisco Rodriguez, Ervin Santana, Joe Saunders. 

So three Angels pitchers, and no John Lackey?

1:55: AL Reserves: J.D. Drew, Jason Varitek, Joe Crede, Carlos Quentin, Grady Sizemore, Carlos Guillen, Justin Morneau, Milton Bradley, Ian Kinsler, Michael Young, Dioner Navarro. 

You’re telling me that the players voted in Varitek?  Apparently the players are unaware of things like, um, statistics and performance.  I also don’t like that Scott Kazmir and Dioner Navarro are the only Rays representatives.  Maybe Terry Francona is showing a little intradivision bias.  Andy Sonnanstine is clearly deserving, and Evan Longoria and Carl Crawford are at least borderline candidates.  As for the Rangers, all four players they’ve been pimping this season made it.  Francona says that Bradley will take Big Papi’s place and then name someone else to the team.  Here’s a chance for him to get it right.

1:58: Final Vote Nominees: Jermaine Dye, Jason Giambi, Jose Guillen, Evan Longoria, and Brian Roberts in the AL.  Pat Burrell, Corey Hart, Carlos Lee, Aaron Rowand, and David Wright in the NL.  My first impressions, without comparing statistics: Longoria and Hart.

2:00: So that’s it.  In my mind, the NL has the best players on the field, while the AL is filled with guys who are there because of reputation.  Look for that to make a difference in the outcome of the game.

2:06: I thought we were done, but now the former players get to say who they thought the snubs were.  Harold Reynolds said Ken Griffey (HR, do you understand what an All Star Game is?), Cal Ripken said Brian Roberts (okay, but a surefire homer pick), and Dennis Eckersley said Gavin Floyd (hard to argue with that).  Today’s show was a case study in why former players don’t make great analysts, especially when there’s no game to comment on.  They weren’t asked to bring insight from their playing days, just do what professionals should be doing: interviewing players, provide great analysis, and keep things interesting.  Instead, we got shameless plugs from Cal Ripken about his book and XM Radio show, then some shameless ribbing from the other two about these plugs.  This show reminded me a little too much of the sophomoric NFL pregame shows, which is not a good thing.