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Reactions: MLB All-Star snubs Posted: Thursday July 06, 2000 04:21 PM
The All-Star Game doesn't always feature all of the most deserving players. CNNSI.com users were asked who was the biggest snub and who was the most deserving player that didn't get elected. The overwhelming response was Frank Thomas and Tony Batista. As for who was selected that cost another player his spot, most said Fred McGriff. Here's a sample of the most interesting responses received: First of all, Frank Thomas definitely deserved to be there. His first half numbers are career highs for most players' full seasons. It is difficult because the AL has so many first basemen with super offensive ability, like Palmeiro, Thomas, Vaughn, Giambi, and Delgado. Also, I think the Phillies are getting snubbed, like always. Scott Rolen is have a great year, and yes, he did miss some time, but 18 homers, 51 RBIs, 42 runs and stellar defense is worthy of All Star consideration. He and Bobby Abreau definitely deserver to be there. They have been performing at a high level for some time now and should have been recognized for it.
Without a doubt, Tony Batista of the Blue Jays should have been selected. How could he not? He leads American League third basemen in homers and RBI's, and most importantly, he is playing on a first-place team. I find it amazing that while the Red Sox, Yankees and Indians all have worse records than the Blue Jays, they are all able to put more players on the All-Star team than the Blue Jays. Just another example of naive and ignorant (notice how that was spelled New Yorkers?) Americans.
When was the last time a player with a .340 avg., 25 homers and 72 RBI's didn't make the All-Star game? The best hitter on the best team in baseball, with numbers that make him a triple crown threat and an MVP candidate. Not only that, but Frank Thomas is one of the most respected players in the game, and a two-time MVP, so tradition is on his side as well. Surely, one could've made room for Thomas, perhaps by not putting Derek Jeter on the team, but of course, Joe Torre made that call. This is a travesty.
The problem of All-Star "snubs" annually gets too much attention. This just in: it's an exhibition, and it's a popularity contest. Can't we all just enjoy a game and not cry about which multi-millionaire isn't playing?
Frank Thomas not making it is by far and away the biggest snub. Leading the best team in the majors in most offensive catagories as well as being a proven veteran should have made Frank a lock on making the team. Two things don't make sense: One is the DH should be used regardless of which ball park they are playing in. Fans don't want to see pitchers hit, they want to see them pitch. And second, why did Torre pick another first baseman (McGriff) when there are so many having great years? Was there not another person on Tampa Bay having a decent year? The way players are chosen needs to change!!!! Derek Jeter should not be there either. He is a great player, but is not having an all-star year. Let all of the managers vote on the reserves.
Excluding Frank Thomas and Danny Graves is a complete joke. The numbers are there, why aren't the roster spots? Bottom line: they've both earned it!
Where's Steve Finley? I haven't heard his name mentioned once. Bobby Cox should be embarrassed picking Andruw Jones over Finley. Finley's numbers are better in just about every category including defensive. What a homer!
Tony Batista being looked over this year is a disgrace to Blue Jays fans and the game of baseball in general! Batista has 24 hr, 68 RBI and is an integral part to the Blue Jays success this year. The Blue Jays sit on top of the their division this year, above the Yanks, and Red Sox, and Batista is a major reason why. The reason he should be on this All-Star squad is his numbers though. They are well above, and I mean well above, any of the other third basemen chosen. He deserves to go, and it's a shame he hasn't received the respect he deserves as one of the top third basemen in the league, let alone the American league. Batista's a star, and Torre should've treated him like one, and put his name on the list.
Danny Graves has been the most consistent pitcher in the major leagues. His record of 9-1 and 13 saves should not be looked over for two guys with a record of 1-3 and 2-2 respectively. It is shame that the major leagues make sure that every team has a player represented rather than allowing the player having a breakout year like Danny Graves sit out of the All-Star Game.
Do away with the old rule of requiring one player from every team. Is it an honor for Fred McGriff to make the team ahead of Frank Thomas, just because his team stinks? Same for any one of the Twins and other teams. I watch the All-Star game to see the best players in baseball. I say give the honor to the best players and don't worry about where they are from. There are enough great players on small market teams that it won't turn into all big market players.
The National League team was selected reasonably well. The American League on the other hand, had two MAJOR oversights:
Obviously Frank Thomas should have been in the line-up, and obviously what cost him the spot was the "at-least-one-player-for-each-team-rule". Since Tampa Bay did not have any other player putting up good numbers that was not injured, Fred McGriff was the only choice left. Still it seems strange that he is on the team and Thomas is not.
Yeah, I may be a homer, but Frank Thomas deserved to be an All Star. Also, Jon Lieber is 7-5 for an absolutely awful Cubs team. That's more impressive than what Tom Glavine has done with the Braves. If you take out the required representative rule, then Mike Sweeney should be there too, in place of Fred McGriff.
Hey, I am an Indians fan. My two LEAST favorite teams are the Reds, and the White Sox. Even hating these two teams I can admit that Frank Thomas and Danny Graves got screwed! With Thomas returning to the form of years past, and Graves really coming into his own this year, I just don't get it...The least deserving on the rosters would have to be Glavine, and old broken down Ripken (a great player 10 years ago or if you have a softball squad at the nursing home) anyway...my two cents worth.
As an American League fan, I feel Charles Johnson of Baltimore, who is having a career year, was unjustly denied a spot on the All-Star team in favor of the Yankees' Jorge Posada. By far the biggest surprise was the snub of Frank Thomas, who is in the position to challenge for the triple crown. Perennially left off the team, Rafael Palmerio always deserves consideration.
I think that Ben Molina deserves to be going to Atlanta for the All-Star game. He has been hitting over .300 all year and is a incredible defensive catcher. The only reason he did not get picked is because Joe Torre is the manager and he wanted his own catcher Jorge Posada there instead. Molina can hit, field, and maybe the most important aspect of a catcher's game is that he calls a great game. Molina deserved to there this year and I really hope that if Torre is the manager next year he will not leave of a player of this caliber.
Pokey Reese of the Reds no doubt should have been selected over Craig Biggio. What has Biggio done anyway? The Astros are the most dissapointing team in the majors in my opinion. Why don't they give someone else a chance to get some limelight, like a Pokey Reese. Bobby Cox is gonna be real sorry he didn't select Reese as a reserve, I'll believe Pokey will take it out on the Braves when they meet in late August.
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