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Chat Reel: Tom Verducci
SI senior writer previews the MLB All-Star game
Posted: Monday July 10, 2000 01:31 PM
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Byung-Hung Kim has a case for being snubbed in the All-Star voting. AP |
CNNSI Host: Thanks for joining our MLB chat with SI's Tom Verducci. Thanks Tom for being with us today.
Tom Verducci: It's great to be with you.
From knlk: What do you think about every team being represented at the All-Star game? It might make the game more interesting to have "the best" players play, and keep regular-sized rosters so players aren't just in for an inning.
Tom Verducci: I don't like the rule at all. I think it does create roster problems, and I don't think baseball fans in Milwaukee will not watch the All-Star game just because Bob Wickman is not there. The game should be for the best players.
From baseballrules: Tom, do you recall the last time when so many All-Stars got injured the week before the All-Star Game? There are almost 10 players who won't be playing in Atlanta. Do you think the game itself will be less exciting because of this?
Tom Verducci: I've never seen an All-Star game like this, where so many mega-stars will not be playing. I do think it detracts from the game. The All-Star game is all about superstar match-ups, like Pedro vs. McGwire last year. We will miss out on that tomorrow night.
From dradman: Do you think that the fans should keep the vote, or should it change to another system?
Tom Verducci: I think the fans should keep the vote. The fans are the backbone of the game and they should get the chance to watch the players they want to see. They've done a pretty good job of picking the right players.
From hey: Do teams hold back their players from playing in this game for fear of injury? (ex., Pedro had to go on the DL last year because of pitching in the All-Star game.)
Tom Verducci: It does happen sometimes, especially with pitchers, if the game falls on a day in which they are not scheduled to throw. But I think overall, teams like to see their star players get the exposure, even if it's just for one inning.
From baseballrules: What is your opinion about the headhunting incident by Roger Clemens? We all know Mike Piazza is very upset, but do you think it is appropriate to criticize him (Clemens) in public? I think it is something that should be dealt in close doors. Roger Clemens is generally considered a class act, do you think his credibility will be lost because of this incident?
Tom Verducci: I think it was fair for Piazza to say what he had to say publicly. The guy probably thought his career flashed in front of his eyes. If he thinks Roger Clemens deliberately threw at his head, he should let the world know about that, because there's no place for that in the game. My own opinion is that Clemens was not trying to hit him, but he was trying to get the ball too close to Piazza's head to be considered just "pitching inside."
From Burkie: Is there anyone in this year's game that did not deserve to go?
Tom Verducci: I will say this, that there are people who should have gone to the game that are not here, and the one that really comes to mind is Byung-Hung Kim of the Arizona Diamondbacks. To me, he's having a better year than any relief pitcher in baseball. I think he deserves to be here.
From Newmania: Who do you think will start at third base for the AL, Glaus or Batista?
Tom Verducci: Troy Glaus deserves it; although Tony Batista has great power numbers, he doesn't come close to Glaus's numbers for batting average and on-base percentage. I think this will be the first of many All-Star games that Glaus starts.
From BoSox2000: Who will start the All-Star game at shortstop now that A-rod is not going to be playing?
Tom Verducci: My guess is it might be Derek Jeter, only because Joe Torre is the American League manager; to me it's just a flip of the coin between Jeter and Garciaparra.
Question from hey: Should Charles Johnson have gone to the game over Jorje Posada?
Tom Verducci: That's a really close call. This is a case where, when you have managers picking the reserve players, they always go with their own guys. I might give Posada the edge, because of his on-base percentage.
From rghjr: With the Sammy Sosa telling the Cubs not to trade him, will the Cubs management make an effort to keep him?
Tom Verducci: They still have him under contract through next season, but don't look for the Cubs to offer him the kind of contract extension that he wants. If they can get him re-signed for the kind of money the Rockies gave Larry Walker, which was $12.5 million a year, I think they would do that, but they are not interested in making him the highest-paid player in the game.
From Mike Chiminec in Kerhonkson, N.Y.: Hi, Tom. Do you see the Mets making a big trade at the deadline to help out their bullpen? I mean everyone wants a starter, as do the Mets, but don't you think they need someone to eat up innings in the bullpen?
Tom Verducci: I think the Mets would like to improve their bullpen. If they make a move, it most likely will be for a relief pitcher, but I wouldn't expect anything major.
From George in Garden Grove, Calif.: Do you think the Angels could make a trade for Jeff Bagwell?
Tom Verducci: Bagwell is not available right now; the Astros still say they want Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell to be the foundations of the team, and they're going to try to sign Bagwell to an extension. If Bagwell ever does get traded, I don't think it will happen until this winter.
From knlk: Do the players really care about the All-Star game anymore?1 With the money they make are they just worried about injuries and getting some rest?
Tom Verducci: I think they care about putting on a good show. I don't think they care who wins or loses the game. That's one of the places where inter-league play, as well as all the movement caused by free agency, has taken away some of the luster of the All-Star game.
From RedSox2000: Who do you envision as the two World Series participants at this point in the season?
Tom Verducci: I am not going to back off my pre-season predictions, because when you make those picks, you base them on the whole year, not half a year. So, I'm sticking with the Red Sox over the Braves in the Series.
From DaveB: Which contending teams do you think will make a serious push for the playoffs in the second half of the season? Who will fade from the playoff picture?
Tom Verducci: I think Colorado will fade, and I think Anaheim will fade. The teams that I think will play even better in the second half are Seattle, St. Louis, and the Yankees.
From Nicco in Philadelphia, Pa.: How will the Yankees replace Shane Spencer? Will they bring up Ryan Thompson who has been crushing the ball at AAA Columbus or will they make a deal to get someone?
Tom Verducci: I actually think they might bring up Alphonso Soriano, who many scouts believe belongs in the outfield anyway. There's no question that this kid is going to hit. But I also think, knowing the Yankees, that they will go out and look for another hitter in a trade.
From Burkie: Can the Brewers turn it around next year with Miller Park opening?
Tom Verducci: I think the Brewers will have a little more money to spend because of the ballpark. I think they will be an improved team next year, but still nothing close to being a contending team. A lot will depend on whether players such as Marquis Grissom and Jeremy Bernitz can have comeback seasons.
From Joe Barbeau in Iowa City, Iowa: Will Kirby Puckett make the Hall of Fame? How 'bout on his first ballot?
Tom Verducci: I think he will make it. Right now, I am inclined to vote for him, and my guess is that, like Robin Yount, he will barely sneak in on the first ballot.
CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have for today with Tom. Thanks for joining us.
Tom Verducci: Thank you all.
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