In case you missed MLB’s big reveal on the network last night, I’ll share the starting lineups for both leagues in the upcoming All-Star game c/o Thomas Harrigan. He editorializes a little bit, but lays out the cases for each of the fans’ selections.
I’m not going to quibble with any of the choices right now for two reasons. The first of which, my thoughts won’t change anything. I’ll leave the yelling and gnashing of teeth to someone much younger. Second and maybe more important, I expect the names to change several times before the game itself. If the past is any indication, 249 different players will be named as alternates, disabled and honored for some hokey reason. I still don’t care for the rule that requires every team to be represented.
This is probably the third straight year where I didn’t cast a single vote and it’s not because I’m any less interested in baseball or that I’m making a stand. Over the years I’ve changed how I vote and what criteria I’ll use. After years of seeing the game guys make the team, purely out of laziness, I’ve come to favor the snapshot approach.
While hardly an objective standard, I like the AS team to reflect what’s happening at the moment with little regard for how particular players will finish the season. I also don’t believe that the best players in the game need to make the AS game even if they aren’t putting up the best numbers at the time. Playing in an ASG has never guaranteed career greatness. I like seeing players rewarded for their present successes.
And for all of the geniuses on the betting sites and touting their prowess, I’m betting nobody saw catchers Jonah Heim (Tex) and Sean Murphy (Atl) being voted on the teams. It’s pretty cool that the fans voted four Rangers onto the AL roster. Who knows where the team will finish at the end of the season, but their offense has been mighty impressive. That Corey Seager was deemed worthy of the honor despite missing 31 of his team’s first games, may open the door for other players under similar circumstances.
Congrats to everyone!
I'd rather be sitting in a ballpark. 