First off, it’s tough to get the rosters perfectly right, as the system is obviously fallible. I do like the fans having the ability to choose, but this certainly leaves room for error – as does the absurd rule of every team having a representative, Mark Redman, anyone? Another rule worth mentioning is the winner getting homefield advantage come World Series time. I understand this one, after all, the fan should come first, and this no doubt makes the game itself infinitely more watchable. Problem is, of course, is that it’s unfair. It should come down to overall season record, not Mark Redman. Actually, that’s another benefit of the rule, it prevents the likes of Redman, et al., from even playing in the game, so the better players are on the field more.
National League – Among the eight offensive starters, four of them will be Mets. It doesn’t even look like there’s anything wrong with that either. If you are counting at home, the Oakland A’s are sending one player, as are the National League champion Houston Astros; the Pittsburgh Pirates are sending two. Still, both deserve it. Freddy Sanchez’s .363/.399/.530 line is one of the most under the radar and productive of the year. How the mighty have fallen; Barry Bonds doesn’t even make the candidate for the final roster spot list? It’s clear he’s a shell of his former self, but the guy has a .480 OBP and 977 OPS. Bobby Abreu, comparatively speaking, has a 917 OPS and three fewer homers than Bonds in 98 more at-bats. Of the final roster spot candidates, Nomar Garciaparra and his league-leading average looks like the sure choice there.
American League – Ozzie Guillen is one loyal guy, as six White Sox will be headed to Pittsburgh. Pudge Rodriguez over Joe Mauer? Not only should Pudge not be starting, but Ramon Hernandez should be in over him as a reserve as well. Pudge sports a 764 OPS with seven homers; Hernandez has a superior 836 OPS, 15 homers and thrown out 51 percent of opposing basestealers. Joe Mauer, meanwhile, is hitting a decent .392 on the year. But enough about catchers, as the true outrage is the exclusion of Travis Hafner. This after he was passed over for Shea Hillenbrand last year; you would think there would be an effort to make up for it. Hafner leads the entire league in OPS. This would leave one to believe he’s the obvious pick as the final vote fill-in; too bad Francisco Liriano is also on that list. The Twins deserve at least partial blame for taking too long to insert him into the rotation, but a guy who’s 9-1 with a 1.99 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 94 strikeouts in just over 80 innings has to be on the team.
Bottom line, the American League team is just too stacked. This looks like a mismatch, yet again. The AL will win, and probably win big, and complete an undefeated decade in the Midsummer Classic.
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