The All Star game has been taken over by this rule that has always existed. Every team will be represented by at least one player. There have been times, like this season, that a player is selected to play and gets hurt right before the All Star game; which results in that team not being represented. It happens, but I have always thought of it as a joke when a pitcher like Ryan Cook of the Athletics or Evan Meek of the Pirates in a past year makes the team.
This year, the Miami Marlins had the unfortunate knee injury to star OF Giancarlo Stanton. Stanton is a worthy All Star, but he was replaced on the roster by Washington's Bryce Harper. That leaves the Marlins without representation on the team this year. I have always thought of it as a stupid idea to make sure every team is represented. Sometimes, every team is not worthy of an All Star. Did the 1962 Mets deserve an All Star? How about the 2003 Tigers? But I do find it a little hypocritical that a team may be left without All Star representation this season.
As would be expected, Marlins president Dave Samson made some more crazy comments suggesting that OF Justin Ruggiano and RHP Steve Cishek should be All Stars. Ruggiano is hitting .390, but has 82 ABs. Cishek has a 2.17 ERA, but has given up 6 unearned runs, not good for a relief pitcher with 37 IP. Samson wasn't wrong for suggesting the Marlins should have an All Star. He just picked two players who are the antithesis of what an All Star is.
It doesn't help when Dave Samson is the president of a team of underachieving stars. Jose Reyes is hitting .264, 3, 22 with 20 SB. Hanley Ramirez is .248, 12, 44 and Logan Morrison is .249, 11, 36. Heath Bell has pitched as poorly as possible, despite his 19 saves and only Mark Buerhle has a respective ERA (3.25) to go with his 8-8 record. The only player that should be considered is 2B Omar Infante, who is hitting .290, 7, 30 and has made an All Star appearance before. Other than Infante, there is nobody else that should be considered.
But my main point is one that is similar to what many others have and have had: It is useless to make sure that every team is represented in every All Star game. Some years, teams are just not worthy of an All Star. But the fact that it has been mandated for years that every team has a representative, should make it mandatory that Infante should represent the Marlins in the game this season.
Im equally hoping that the Marlins are held out of the game this season. If they are, it may start trending toward just the best players being selected to the game. I know the fan voting is flawed, but it does elect the players that the majority of the fans want to see. The managers pick the reserves, which is not easy. It would be easier if every team did not have to be represented.
This year, the Miami Marlins had the unfortunate knee injury to star OF Giancarlo Stanton. Stanton is a worthy All Star, but he was replaced on the roster by Washington's Bryce Harper. That leaves the Marlins without representation on the team this year. I have always thought of it as a stupid idea to make sure every team is represented. Sometimes, every team is not worthy of an All Star. Did the 1962 Mets deserve an All Star? How about the 2003 Tigers? But I do find it a little hypocritical that a team may be left without All Star representation this season.
As would be expected, Marlins president Dave Samson made some more crazy comments suggesting that OF Justin Ruggiano and RHP Steve Cishek should be All Stars. Ruggiano is hitting .390, but has 82 ABs. Cishek has a 2.17 ERA, but has given up 6 unearned runs, not good for a relief pitcher with 37 IP. Samson wasn't wrong for suggesting the Marlins should have an All Star. He just picked two players who are the antithesis of what an All Star is.
It doesn't help when Dave Samson is the president of a team of underachieving stars. Jose Reyes is hitting .264, 3, 22 with 20 SB. Hanley Ramirez is .248, 12, 44 and Logan Morrison is .249, 11, 36. Heath Bell has pitched as poorly as possible, despite his 19 saves and only Mark Buerhle has a respective ERA (3.25) to go with his 8-8 record. The only player that should be considered is 2B Omar Infante, who is hitting .290, 7, 30 and has made an All Star appearance before. Other than Infante, there is nobody else that should be considered.
But my main point is one that is similar to what many others have and have had: It is useless to make sure that every team is represented in every All Star game. Some years, teams are just not worthy of an All Star. But the fact that it has been mandated for years that every team has a representative, should make it mandatory that Infante should represent the Marlins in the game this season.
Im equally hoping that the Marlins are held out of the game this season. If they are, it may start trending toward just the best players being selected to the game. I know the fan voting is flawed, but it does elect the players that the majority of the fans want to see. The managers pick the reserves, which is not easy. It would be easier if every team did not have to be represented.
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