As part of making the All Star Game more fan friendly, the powers that be in MLB have allowed the fans to vote for the 32nd — and final — player added to each the National League and American League roster. This is a perfect chance for fans to rectify the wrongs of players who were previously snubbed. Here are cases as to why these players are worthy of being Pittsburgh-bound on July 11. (Note: AJ Pierzynski and Nomar Garciaparra were selected.)
American League
AJ Pierzynski by Rob Swift
When talking about whether A.J. Pierzynski should be voted to the All-Star Game or not. Well, that's a tough one. I will submit to you that first off, there's no way one could use his stats to get him in, he just doesn't compare to Mauer and Pudge. But then again, the All-Star Game isn't necessarily all about statistics now is it? In reality, it's a popularity contest, plain and simple.
Pierzynski should be on the team because he brings so much more to the table than any other player. How many players can say that they have wrestled on the national stage? In a recent issue of Sport Illustrated, Pierzynski led all others with 18% of the vote for whom readers wanted to see beaned. He was accused of kneeing a trainer in the groin when he was with the Giants, he was involved in the dropped third strike play against the LA Angels in last year's ALCS, and he has an open invitation to call in anytime on the Jim Rome show. Most recently he was on the receiving end of Michael Barrett's fist in a game against the Cubs.
Bottom line is that trouble follows him around like Stetson cologne on a redneck. And not the kind of trouble that puts you in court, the kind of trouble that fans love. Baseball has always had a couple of clowns over the years: Rick Dempsey, Dizzy and Daffy Dean, Jay Johnstone, Steve Lyons, and many others. In a time that the game could use a few laughs, Pierzynski is one of the guys that could bring a welcomed diversion to the tribulations the game is currently enduring.
Travis Hafner by Danyel Jones
It's my opinion (and that of many others) that Hafner, who has yet to make an all-star appearance, was snubbed in the 2005 all-star voting. In the first half of the 2005 season, Hafner was in the top ten in the AL in home runs, runs batted in, walks, batting average, on-base percentage (OBP), slugging (SLG) and on-base plus slugging (OPS). Not to mention that he was first in OBP and OPS and second in SLG.
Now let's talk about 2006. Travis Hafner has definitely earned an all-star appearance this season. He is undoubtedly a valuable and solid player and he has proven this by posting all-star numbers. So far this season Hafner ranks 2nd in the American league in slugging pct (.631), OPS (.453) and 4th in RBI's (66) runs (61) and home runs (22). Not only that but Hafner is currently on pace for the best season of his career. He happens to be the first player since 1968, and the fifth overall in Major League history, to hit four grand slams before the All-Star break.
Travis Hafner, who (surprisingly) has yet to make an all-star appearance, deserves to get your final vote.
Ramon Hernandez by Matt Sounders
You should pick Ramon Hernandez for this year's AL fan choice roster slot because you want the American League to win the All-Star Game and you know it's easier to do this if you carry three quality catchers. Hernandez is having another outstanding, but barely noticed season this year from behind the plate, posting a scintillating .835 OPS (average catcher in the AL is closer to .700), and widely considered one of the best fielding catchers in baseball. He's second in Win Shares) (found over at The Hardball Times) by a catcher (behind only Joe Mauer) and fourth in WARP1 (found over at Baseball Prospectus) among AL catchers (but just a tenth of a win short of third).
If you want a third catcher (and it makes good sense to have one), he's a far better pick than A.J. Pierzynski who is dismally overrated by White Sox fans. I'm sure Ozzie Guillen would love to get him onto the roster, but for the good of the AL, don't give him the chance to use Pierzynski as a "defensive replacement", not when his defensive skills haven't been above average since 2001. Perhaps we'd be better equipped with Kenji Johjima on the roster, but in a pinch, Hernandez will do quite nicely.
Justin Verlander by Frank Bundy
Why should Justin Verlander have the final spot on the American League All-Star team?
How about the fact that he is the best pitcher on the best team in baseball. He leads all Tiger pitchers in ERA (3.13), and wins (Tied with Kenny Rogers-10). But, not only is he a great pitcher for the Tigers, he is one of the best pitchers in the American League! That 3.13 ERA ranks him third in the AL. He ranks 13th in BAA (.248), and ties for first in the AL with his ten victories (6 other pitchers with 10).
Enough with the mainstream statistics, even though they are enough for him to win your vote. Let's look at some "deeper" statistics found over at Baseball Prospectus. According to VORP) (Value Over Replacement Player) Verlander isn't just best pitcher on the Tigers, he's the best player. His 31.6 VORP is best on the team ahead of SS Carlos Guillen (29.9). Also, according to WARP (Wins above replacement player), Verlander ties CF Curtis Granderson as the player worth the most wins for Detroit this season (4.0 WARP1).
Lastly it is important to remember that unlike the other pitcher up for the last spot on the AL All Star team (Francisco Liriano) that has better statistics than Verlander, the Tigers starter has been in Detroit's rotation from day one. Liriano didn't join the Minnesota Twins rotation until May 19th.
Francisco Liriano by Daniel Paulling
The name of the game is the All Star Game. But it's also pitching. And Francisco Liriano gives manager Ozzie Guillen that. The young left hander has made nine starts, and his ERA is a splendid 1.63 in those outings. Combine that with a 1.99 ERA overall, and you've got the makings of a very fine pitcher.
He's definitely got the pitching thing down. If manager Ozzie Guillen needs a strikeout at any point in the game, Liriano would be the guy to go to. Another reason to vote for Liriano is that this is an exhibition game that represents the stars of the game. And one of those stars is Francisco Liriano, southpaw extraordinaire of the Minnesota Twins.
National League
Chris Capuano by Daniel Paulling
There currently is one left handed pitcher on the National League squad, and that man is Brian Fuentes. Imagine late in the game and David Ortiz or Joe Mauer, both pure left handed hitters, come up to bat. That's a situation where a left handed pitcher is desperately needed, and perhaps Mr. Fuentes will have been already used.
The Brewers' southpaw has the ability to strike opposing hitters out. Last year, Capuano fanned 212 in 219 innings and this year he's managing a better pace, sitting down 121 batters in 120 innings. He just doesn't get the respect that he deserves. For the last season and a half, Capuano has done nothing but pitch very well, and he needs some recognition for his efforts.
Billy Wagner by Danyel Jones
Unfortunately for Wagner, the first-half success of the New York Mets hasn't given the fastball-flinging lefty many save opportunities. However, he has done well with the chances that he has been given; so far this season he is 3-1 with a 2.33 ERA and 16 saves in 20 attempts.
Wagner, who is ranked 6th among active relievers in saves, recently earned his 300th career save, making him the 19th pitcher and the 3rd left-hander to save at least 300 games since the major leagues began officially recording saves in 1969.
I think Billy Wagner should be the seventh New York Met to go the all-star game. He'll provide a power, left-handed arm in the bullpen, something the National League needs to counteract a pinch-hit appearance by Joe Mauer.
Chris Young by Matt Sounders
Let's run down a list of his impressive accomplishments, shall we?
7th in the NL in ERA (3.13)
5th fewest hits allowed by a qualifying starter (75)
10th in Ks (95)
2nd in WHIP (1.09, which is tied with Jason Schmidt and behind only Pedro Martinez!)
3rd in SLG allowed (.365)
Leads all Padres in WARP1 (3.7-and the Padres are a pretty good team)
I bet you didn't realize just how good he's been, did you? I certainly didn't until I did some checking on the contenders. Most people think of Jake Peavy as the ace of the Padres' staff, but Chris Young is having by far the best season by a Padre and this is a good chance to bring him center stage. He's truly earned it.
Bobby Abreu by Frank Bundy
Why should Bobby Abreu take the final spot on the National League All-Star team?
Well, to start let's all remember what the most important statistic is when it comes to producing runs: On-Base Percentage. When it comes to this facet of the game nobody — and I mean NOBODY — in the National League is better than Bobby Abreu. He leads the NL in OBP with an astounding .444 mark. Abreu gets even better though when you consider that when he gets aboard, he can advance another base without the help of his teammates. Currently, he ranks 12th in the NL in stolen bases (tied with Kenny Lofton-15). With Abreu you have an extremely rare player that can not only get on base at a tremendous rate, but can steal a base as well.
For a more thorough examination of how great Abreu is playing, let's go over to The Hardball Times and see that he ranks 4th in the NL with 16 Win Shares (a stat that takes fielding into account), tied with New York Mets third baseman David Wright; behind three players that are already on the All-Star team, Albert Pujols, Lance Berkman, and Carlos Beltran).
Finally, it is important to remember that while the other hitter eligible for the final spot on the NL team has better overall statistics than Abreu, Nomar Garciaparra has only played in 62 games this season, compared to 79 for Abreu.
Nomar Garciaparra by Daniel Paulling
So many people counted out Nomar Garciaparra. "Oh, he's been injured the past few seasons, he's fried." After seeing the once pride and joy of Boston hit in August and September last year, I knew he was back. And when Garciaparra is healthy and playing, he's going to hit — a lot.
So far this year, Garciaparra has hit .359 for the year, which ranks him first in the National League. The on base percentage (5th in NL), slugging percentage (5th), and OPS (5th) are all there. With the way the rest of the Dodgers have been playing, there should be more talk of this first baseman receiving a Most Valuable Player award at the end of the season.
