Loading ...Bronson was the only Red named to the NL All-Star team. Since (IIRC) he’ll be starting next Sunday, look for a Red-free game, unless Junior, Phillips, or Harang is added to fill an injury spot. The roster is Full of Mets.
Lancaster endorsed Phillips, which I understand, but Uggla’s been playing all season. Freddy Sanchez made it as the last infield sub. While he’s having a nice season, I thought it was a little silly that the Pirates had more representatives than the Reds, until I remembered they were the hosts.
In any event, the rosters don’t bear much relation to the standings. The first-place Reds, A’s, and Padres have one rep each, while scrubs Atlanta (3), Pittsburgh (2), Philadelphia (2) and Miami (2) did better. Twelve of the NL’s 19 position players come from teams with losing records (only the Mets, Pujols, Rolen, and Holliday represent teams over .500). Five of the 11 pitchers are from losing teams.
For some reason, Garner took 15 of his 31 players from the five-team NL East, (including the 6 starters).
I’m not sure this is the way to disprove the “NL is inferior” storyline.
I would have taken Harang if I had to take just one.
Uggla has only 25 more PAs than Brandon, so I don’t think he goes simply because he played more. Brandon’s OPS is thirty-some points lower, but 1) his OBP is slightly higher (which is more important than SLG; also Brandon’s AVG is higher), 2) he’s infinitely better on the basepaths (16 SBs, 0 caught!; 4/2 for Uggla. If the NL needs a PR late in the game, who would you rather have?), and 3) he plays better defense (3.3 runs saved so far this year, versus 0.9 for Uggla). With Cabrerra already going they didn’t need another Marlin – Brandon should be going instead as the better player from the better team who is more likely to help the NL win.
I would have liked to have seen Harang make the team. If I have time, I’ll compare Aaron’s numbers to the NL pitchers that were selected.
BP got screwed!
One of the NL’s top offenses doesn’t land a non-pitcher on the team. I hope the Reds sweep every series from Houston until the day Phil Garner retires/quits/fired!!
Phil Garner is a chode. He sucks.
The Pirates and marlins with 2 guys a piece. What a load of crap. No BP and no Junior. i would rather them pick Dunn for his home run power than some of these other idiots. I can’t believe I am saying this….I hope the American League blows them out…and a foul ball hits Garner in the face.
Much ado about nothing, sadly. I don’t think the game has retained its luster since the advent of interleague play. The players seem to be going through the motions nowadays, when it seemed to be more of a game..*nd less of an exhibition..in days of old. I might catch a few innings, but it would be far more enjoyable to pop in game 4 of the 90 Series.
I agree, Bobcat. I used to watch the thing from beginning to end. Now it’s rare ifd I watch it at all. Half the players named will probably skip it.
Let’s not forget WS home field advantage is at stake! I wonder how much Garner cares about that this year.
Ken, I totally agree. What BP has going for him that Ugly does not is his contribution (and a significant one) to a winning team. It really is incredible that three first place teams only have one representative. Three Braves? Andruw deserves it, but Renteria and McCann should have been left off.
The only good thing Garner did was not load his team with Asstros. Not like Ozzie, who picked six of his own players. (Last time I checked, his team was not in first!) Half the AL team is Chisox, Bosox, and Yanks. (Well, 14 anyway, with Pierzynski a candidate in the final vote.)
At the very least, Garner could have put Phillips, Ross, or Harang in for the final vote.
I, too, have missed more AS games in the past few years than I have watched. I wanted to watch this one with Reds players, but I’m not sure now. I know as Reds fans we’ve been gipped, so I’m biased, but I feel like this is the worst selection in years, even with Torre choosing half Yankees all those years.