More Venting about the All Star game, American League and the DH in general
As some of you may know, I frequent Cyn's blog quite often. Well yesterday when reading her blog I kind of got on the subject about David Ortiz making the ballot for the All Star team, but Thome not making the ballot because he is a DH and the game is being played in a National League Park, thus doing away with the DH in the All Star game. Ortiz has currently played a total of 5 games or 35 innings at first base where Thome has played 1 game or 6 innings at first base. What gives? Thome's stats are comparable to Ortiz and better in some categories(namely batting avg and home runs) and Ortiz is on the list at first base(when Youklis for the Sox is the everyday first basemen and isn't on the list) and Thome is left off. First of all, that's a shame for Youklis who Cyn believes should be in contention for the All Star team. Secondly, it's a shame for Konerko who does actually play first base on a daily basis and has stats comparable to Ortiz(and like Thome, better in some categories). I'm not trying to take anything away from Ortiz... he's a great hitter and almost always comes through in the clutch. If there was a spot on the Ballot for a DH, I'd be torn between voting him or Thome to the team, maybe giving Ortiz the edge because of his ability to come through in the clutch time and time again. But there isn't a spot on the ballot for the DH therefore Ortiz shouldn't be on the ballot. They need to have a minimum games played at a position in order for a player to be eligible for the All Star team. Say 30-40 games or so. As it is right now, Lance Berkman should be able to go play a game or two at 2nd base and start for the National League at 2nd base. Let's have Ensberg pitch a game for the 'Stros, how could you then leave a "pitcher" off the All Star team when he has 18 home runs? Of course I'm being sarcastic now just to prove a point... maybe a weak point, but a point nonetheless.
Once again, do away with the DH. It has and will continue to ruin baseball.
Totally disagree with you on the DH in general, Thomas.
Maybe I wouldn't if more pitchers actually could hit...but without the DH, National League hitters are basically pitching to 8 guys and getting one free pass.
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Yes that's true to an extent, but not having the DH in the National League makes the managers actually strategize in the later innings. The American League basically has no use for bench players on a daily basis. In the National League if you're down by one run in the 7th or 8th you have to decide whether it's worth taking out your pitcher (who's already pitched 6-7 great innings but has gotten no run support) in order to put in a pinch hitter to try and create some offense. In the American League you basically set your lineup at the beginning of the game, sit back and watch, only taking your pitcher out if he starts doing bad or gets over his pitch limit.
Of course I'm a National League fan so my views could be/are biased based on that, but it's still my opinion.
I can live with the DH if they made it in both leagues(wouldn't like it, but wouldn't really complain about it), but it's not in both leagues.. It's stupid that they have different rules in different leagues.
<3 Cyn
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I hope roger gets a win tonight.
-kaylee
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don't we all =)
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I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A BIG FAN OF PHIL GARNER AS A PLAYER AND A MANAGER. BUT,HOW THE **** DOES PHIL ONLY PICK ONE ASTRO FOR THE THE ALL-STAR GAME. EVERY TEAM GETS ONE ALL-STAR FOR CHRIST SAKE. THE ROYALS HAVE ONE ALL-STAR. I WAITED MY WHOLE LIFE FOR AN ASTRO MANANGER TO MANAGE AN ALL-STAR GAME AND HE ONLY PICKS ONE ASTRO. TORRE PICKED ELEVEN YANKEES ONE YEAR. ITS A PERK OF BEING THE MANAGER TO PICK SOME OF YOUR GUYS. I CANT BELIEVE HE AT LEAST DIDNT PICK BIGGIO. NICE JOB PHIL.
DAVID
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Thomas,
Where have you been?
-kaylee
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vacation =)
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I didn't realize what an ***-hole Phil Garner was until he refuse to play Andruw Jones & Scott Rolen in the All-Star Game. These are not just starsbench but Super Stars and for that **** to leave them on the bench is unheard of. I'm glad that piece of dung lost. Tony L. or Bobby Cox would have been much better managers.
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