All-Star snubs part of selection process
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Eight-time All-Star Roger Clemens will have some time on his hands. AP |
Every year there are inequities in the All-Star selection process.
Unworthy players who are popular with the fans get voted into the starting lineup. The rule requiring each team to be represented by at least one player denies more deserving players.
At least the practice of All-Star managers overloading rosters with their own players has been curtailed. Players, managers and coaches from each of the 30 teams selected most of the reserves this year.
Even with the revised selection process, some worthy players were left off the teams for the 74rd All-Star Game. Below are SI.com's 2003 All-Snub Team and an all-time team of players who did not garner All-Star recognition.
| 2003 All-Snub Team |
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| Lineup of qualified players who were not selected to the All-Star team: |
| Pos. |
Player, Team |
The Skinny |
| C |
Ivan Rodriguez, FLA |
Remember me? 10-time All-Star (.297-13-54) |
| 1B |
Frank Thomas, CWS |
Only player with 1.000+ OPS left off team |
| 2B |
Luis Castillo, FLA |
.320 average, 57 runs, 14 stolen bases |
| SS |
Orlando Cabrera, MON |
Leads Expos in hits, homers, RBIs and runs |
| 3B |
Bill Mueller, BOS |
.330 average; .402 on-base pct., 30 doubles |
| OF |
Milton Bradley, CLE |
Ranks third in majors with .451 on-base pct. |
| OF |
Aubrey Huff, TB |
Tied for major league lead with 30 doubles |
| OF |
Sammy Sosa, CHC |
Cork aside, 15 HR and 45 RBIs in 49 games |
| P |
Roger Clemens, NYY |
No Ripken-esque farewell for the Rocket. |
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| All-Time All-Snub Team |
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Lineup of players whose huge seasons did not garner All-Star recognition:
|
| Pos. |
Player (Year) |
The Skinny |
| C |
Charles Johnson (2000) |
Defensive specialist .308-20-47 at the break |
| 1B |
Hank Greenberg (1935) |
103 RBIs at the break; finished .337-40-183 |
| 2B |
Jeff Kent (2002) |
First half (.320-14-55) better than Vidro, Spivey |
| SS |
Alex Rodriguez (1999) |
Shortchanged by Nomar, Jeter and Vizquel |
| 3B |
Chipper Jones (1999) |
Ed Sprague? MVP season (.319-45-110) |
| OF |
Albert Belle (1998) |
Fan unfriendly slugger finished .328-49-152 |
| OF |
Ted Williams (1939) |
Rookie season overlooked (.327-31-145) |
| OF |
Ralph Kiner (1947) |
Breakout season unrewarded (.313-51-127) |
| P |
Don Newcombe (1956) |
Captured Cy Young, MVP with 27-7 season |
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