I know I’ve already written an epic on the MLB all star game, but here’s a couple more notes:
1) Why is Jeter anywhere near the top of the balot? I know, he’s Derek Jeter. He’s a god sent down to the Yankees, but look at his numbers this year: his average is .281, he has 4 homers, and 37 RBI’s. He doesn’t even have 100 hits. There’s no reason for him to be there other than the fact that there are so many fans in NY.
2) A bunch of people are asking why Jason Varitek made the all star team. He’s not a starter like Jeter, but he’s just .18 over the Mendoza Line, and he only has 7 home runs, and 20 more RBI’s. The reason–he was voted in by the managers (Francona couldn’t vote for him). Varitek is a guy that keep a locker room together. He also is the best pitch-caller in the MLB. He’s practically the Red Sox’s assistant manager, and the team looks at him and respects him that way.
3) Welcome back Chipper! Chipper jones, hitting .388, is back in the all star game for the sixth time. What an accomplishment, and what a story.
4) I can’t say enough about how disappointing I believe it is that the fans vote on a game that matters. When the all star game was meaningless, it was great that the fans got to choose. But home field advantage in the World Series is important, and the fact that the best players from each league can’t play for it is awful. I’ve even heard of many people voting for the players in the other league of their favorite team in second or third, in hopes that their team, if they’re in the world series, has a better chance at home field.
GYA out
