I know several sports fans have no use for All-Star games, but most fans concede MLB’s is the best of the four major sports which isn’t to say that everyone will be gathered around the old RCA next Tuesday when 100 or so All-Stars convene in Texas.
I’m only slightly exaggerating when I say 100. With injuries and starting pitchers being excluded due to the Sunday start rule, the fill-ins will pile up quickly.
Personally, I’m not a fan of the relatively new, rounds of voting. I don’t like the reveal aspect of the major awards either. And for the record, I haven’t cast an ASG ballot in years. Under the new system of fan voting, it’s harder to claim snubs, but that doesn’t mean players do get snubbed. As of this posting, I’ve only heard from one friend that feels a specific player, Christian Walker got screwed. I’m not disagreeing, but I’m also not losing sleep because he might make it after all.
In Chicago, nobody is arguing that any other Cub or White Sox players are deserving beyond the two pitchers, Shota Imanaga and Garrett Crochet. It’s pretty cool that both lefties made the team considering they weren’t known commodities in March.
Overall, I am pleased that several first-timers earned spots on the rosters-most who came out of nowhere. Many have strong pedigrees, but they hadn’t lived up to lofty expectations until now. I also think players should be rewarded for excellent first halves.
In years past, players from the previous year’s WS were almost locks for the ASG the following year, regardless of performance. Both of last year’s participants, the Diamondbacks and Rangers are in the middle of disappointing seasons.
In somewhat of a flashback to the NL AS teams of the 1970’s, the current NL roster looks familiar as it is dominated by the Dodgers and Phillies two of the better teams in the league. What is different is the makeup of the pitching staff. I am slightly surprised that Aaron Nola wasn’t named to join fellow Phillies starters, Zack Wheeler and Ranger Suarez. The trio has already combined to win 29 games. Yet, two Philadelphia middle-relievers, Matt Strahm and Jeff Hoffman made the cut. An aside to Russ, based on the Hoffman we saw in ST, would you have ever predicted he would have made an ASG?
Here are the current rosters as of Tuesday, July 9th. Congrats to everyone who made the team and to those who will fill some slots.
I'd rather be sitting in a ballpark. 