There’s a fundamental flaw with fan voting for All-Star games, especially in Major League Baseball. Deserving players get overlooked in favor of more well-known names from more well-known teams. It’s about popularity in lieu of performance, which more or less renders the name “All Star Game” obsolete.
Maybe we should call it the “Some Star Game.”
Case in point, here are the American League leaders as of this morning:
C – Jason Varitek (BOS)
1B – Kevin Youkilis (BOS)
2B – Dustin Pedroia (BOS)
3B – Alex Rodriguez (NYY)
SS – Derek Jeter (NYY)
OF – Manny Ramirez (BOS)
OF – Ichiro Suzuki (SEA)
OF – Vladimir Guerrero (LAA)
DH – David Ortiz (BOS)
Notice a pattern here? I’m not saying there aren’t good players on the Red Sox and Yankees, but there are certainly more deserving players elsewhere.
Kansas City Royals catcher Miguel Olivo has a higher batting average (.307), the same number of home runs (6), and more RBI (20) than Varitek (.268/6/19), and he’s had about 40 fewer at bats. My guess is Olivo won’t even crack the top five in voting.
The Texas Rangers have two players that belong at Yankee Stadium in July. Second baseman Ian Kinsler (.294/7/32/15 SB) is having a better season that Pedroia (.289/3/27), while Josh Hamilton (.329/13/58/.974 OPS) is having a potential Triple Crown season, yet he’s looking up at Ramirez (.292/9/34) and Guerrero (.258/7/28).
So who’s to blame? Major League Baseball? Bud Selig? Red Sox Nation? ESPN? George W. Bush?
How abut all of the above?
Fan voting has been a part of the All-Star game for as long as I can remember, and there’s always at least one representative from each team so that fans in every market have a vested interest in the Midsummer Classic, implying the game is merely an exhibition. Then Selig granted home field advantage in the World Series to the winner of the All-Star game, trying to make it more meaningful to the players.
So in a way, the league and its commissioner contradicted each other.
It seems as though every Red Sox-Yankees game finds its way onto ESPN or FOX. David Ortiz, Derek Jeter, and Alex Rodriguez are in commercials. Any time Manny Ramirez makes a noteworthy play, it gets top billing on SportsCenter. Ichiro and Vladimir Guerrero have appeared in a collective 17 All-Star games.
Fringe voters don’t look at statistics, only team and player names. That’s why guys like Carlos Quentin (.297/14/44) and Magglio Ordonez (.323/9/35) are further down on the ballot.
In my opinion, All-Stars should be determined via a three-part process:
1. The top five vote-getters in each league, regardless of position - understanding that the game would be nothing without the fans, they still get a say, but it becomes less of a Red Sox vs. the National League situation.
2. At least one representative from each team selected by the All-Star manager – no change from the current system.
3. Remaining spots determined by vote of players, managers, and media – In other words, those closest to the game that actually value statistics and would vote objectively put together a truly deserving team.
The fans still get to vote for their favorite player regardless of their numbers. The league gets a legitimate competition, and the most deserving players will decide their league’s October fate.
Everybody wins. Well, except Red Sox Nation.
May 28, 2008
May 8, 2008
Eastern Conference Finals Preview
Stroll with me, if you will, down Memory Lane. Don’t worry; it’s not a long walk.
Sunday, April 6, 2008. The Flyers are hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins at Wachovia Center in the regular season finale. Both teams have clinched playoff berths, but the seeding is still in question. A Pittsburgh win would mean the number one seed in the East and a first-round date with the eighth-seeded Flyers.
Though they had something to play for, Penguins coach Michel Therrien benched a healthy Sidney Crosby and Marc Andre Fleury, and the Pens that did suit up basically went through the motions. As you no doubt recall, the Flyers won 2-0 and vaulted to the sixth seed, then began the magic carpet ride that has them in the Eastern Conference finals.
There are those who believe Therrien’s actions represent his ducking the Flyers in what promised to be a long, physical, and potentially draining series, one that could have an adverse effect in later rounds. Therrien defended his move by saying he preferred a match-up with the Ottawa Senators in round one, as the Senators were injury-riddled and sinking like a bowling ball that had been dropped in the deep end of a swimming pool.
His move was justified, as the Penguins swept Ottawa. After dispatching the Rangers in five games, the Penguins now find themselves on a collision course with the team they wanted nothing to do with a little over a month ago. And this time, they can’t duck and cover.
Like their first two playoff rounds, a majority of the “Experts” are of the opinion that the Penguins will win this series. We’ve been down this road before, so we shouldn’t be surprised by the ignorance displayed by the national media.
Remember, the Flyers stood no chance against soon-to-be crowned MVP Alexander Ovechkin and the newest incarnation of the Russian Red Army team based in Washington D.C. The Capitals were the hottest team entering the playoffs. Goaltender Cristobal Huet was virtually impenetrable. Never mind the fact that their season-ending winning streak was against the weak Southeast Division. This was Destiny’s team.
The Flyers advanced in seven games.
Undoubtedly the Flyers would succumb to the top-seeded Montreal Canadiens. The Habs, after all, had enough confidence in rookie goalie Carey Price to jettison the aforementioned Huet to Washington. Sure, they were pushed to the brink of elimination by the eighth-seeded Boston Bruins, a series in which Price was so rattled he made Huet look stable by comparison. But they were the last Canadian team standing, and the league was desperate for an end to the 15-year Cup drought in the great white north. This was Canada’s team.
The Flyers prevailed in five games.
So here we are in the NHL’s version of the Final Four. Pittsburgh belongs here. They’ve got Evgeni Malkin, Marian Hossa, and of course Crosby. They haven’t really been challenged thus far in the post-season. Fleury is Patrick Roy 2.0, and we should etch his name in the Conn Smythe trophy right now.
The Flyers shouldn’t pose much of an obstacle. I mean, they didn’t really beat Washington as much as the Capitals lost. And Montreal dominated their series with Philadelphia. The Flyers just got lucky. Yeah, the Flyers beat Pittsburgh five of the eight times they played this year, including four wins with Crosby in the line up, but that won’t matter here. The NHL and NBC want Crosby and the Penguins in the finals and on national television as often as possible. Yes, this is NBC’s team.
Those who ignore history are destined to repeat it…Flyers in six.
Sunday, April 6, 2008. The Flyers are hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins at Wachovia Center in the regular season finale. Both teams have clinched playoff berths, but the seeding is still in question. A Pittsburgh win would mean the number one seed in the East and a first-round date with the eighth-seeded Flyers.
Though they had something to play for, Penguins coach Michel Therrien benched a healthy Sidney Crosby and Marc Andre Fleury, and the Pens that did suit up basically went through the motions. As you no doubt recall, the Flyers won 2-0 and vaulted to the sixth seed, then began the magic carpet ride that has them in the Eastern Conference finals.
There are those who believe Therrien’s actions represent his ducking the Flyers in what promised to be a long, physical, and potentially draining series, one that could have an adverse effect in later rounds. Therrien defended his move by saying he preferred a match-up with the Ottawa Senators in round one, as the Senators were injury-riddled and sinking like a bowling ball that had been dropped in the deep end of a swimming pool.
His move was justified, as the Penguins swept Ottawa. After dispatching the Rangers in five games, the Penguins now find themselves on a collision course with the team they wanted nothing to do with a little over a month ago. And this time, they can’t duck and cover.
Like their first two playoff rounds, a majority of the “Experts” are of the opinion that the Penguins will win this series. We’ve been down this road before, so we shouldn’t be surprised by the ignorance displayed by the national media.
Remember, the Flyers stood no chance against soon-to-be crowned MVP Alexander Ovechkin and the newest incarnation of the Russian Red Army team based in Washington D.C. The Capitals were the hottest team entering the playoffs. Goaltender Cristobal Huet was virtually impenetrable. Never mind the fact that their season-ending winning streak was against the weak Southeast Division. This was Destiny’s team.
The Flyers advanced in seven games.
Undoubtedly the Flyers would succumb to the top-seeded Montreal Canadiens. The Habs, after all, had enough confidence in rookie goalie Carey Price to jettison the aforementioned Huet to Washington. Sure, they were pushed to the brink of elimination by the eighth-seeded Boston Bruins, a series in which Price was so rattled he made Huet look stable by comparison. But they were the last Canadian team standing, and the league was desperate for an end to the 15-year Cup drought in the great white north. This was Canada’s team.
The Flyers prevailed in five games.
So here we are in the NHL’s version of the Final Four. Pittsburgh belongs here. They’ve got Evgeni Malkin, Marian Hossa, and of course Crosby. They haven’t really been challenged thus far in the post-season. Fleury is Patrick Roy 2.0, and we should etch his name in the Conn Smythe trophy right now.
The Flyers shouldn’t pose much of an obstacle. I mean, they didn’t really beat Washington as much as the Capitals lost. And Montreal dominated their series with Philadelphia. The Flyers just got lucky. Yeah, the Flyers beat Pittsburgh five of the eight times they played this year, including four wins with Crosby in the line up, but that won’t matter here. The NHL and NBC want Crosby and the Penguins in the finals and on national television as often as possible. Yes, this is NBC’s team.
Those who ignore history are destined to repeat it…Flyers in six.
May 1, 2008
April Powers
You can’t win the pennant in April, but you can lose it. So says the old baseball adage. Given their notoriously slow starts over the last couple of seasons, the Phillies are a personification of that statement. Witness:
April 2004: 10-11 (.476); Finished 86-76 (.531), missed the playoffs
April 2005: 10-14 (.417); Finished 88-74 (.543), missed the playoffs
April 2006: 10-14 (.417); Finished 85-77 (.525), missed the playoffs
April 2007: 11-14 (.440); Finished 89-73 (.549), won the NL East courtesy of the Mets and their colossal gag job down the stretch
So at 15-13 as the calendar turns to May, the Phillies have to be encouraged that they aren’t already behind the eight ball, especially considering reigning NL MVP Jimmy Rollins has missed a majority of the season with an ankle injury and former MVP Ryan Howard’s batting average looks more like my blood alcohol level in college.
In fact, the Phillies open May only a half game out of first behind the surging Florida Marlins (no, seriously). Here are five key contributors to the Phillies early-season success.
Chase Utley – On pace to be the third Phillie in the last three years to win the MVP, Utley had one of the best offensive months for a second baseman in the history of the game (.360, 11 HR, 23 RBI, 85 total bases, 1.196 OPS). He’s also been rock solid defensively, making some spectacular plays in the field.
Pat Burrell – Burrell is doing exactly what you’d expect in a contract year, hitting .326 with 8 HR and 25 RBI. If I was Charlie Manuel, I’d think about flipping Burrell and Howard in the line-up. Right now, Burrell offers more protection for Utley, plus they’d alternate right and left handed batters through the middle of the line up.
Jayson Werth – Werth has filled in admirably for Shane Victorino in center field to the point where Victorino may end up coming in off the bench or shifting to right field. Werth has also had some success as a lead-off hitter in Rollins’ stead.
Brad Lidge – The biggest off-season acquisition for the team, Lidge has returned from a knee injury suffered late last season and re-aggravated in spring training to be the hammer at the back end of the bullpen. Lidge is 6 for 6 in save opportunities, has not allowed an earned run in 11 appearances, and has a 1.09 strikeouts per inning average. I guess you could say a change of scenery has served him well.
J.C. Romero – Signed as a cast-off from the Red Sox last season, Romero has been spectacular as a set-up man this year. He’s got a 0.00 ERA and three holds.
This is not to say there’s no room for improvement. Cole Hamels excluded, each of the Phillies starters has an ERA over 5.00. Brett Myers has already surrendered 10 home runs this year. Rollins needs to get healthy and back setting the table. Howard needs to start hitting again. And there are only two NL teams (Pittsburgh and Florida) with more errors than the Fightin’ Phils, so they’ll need to rectify that.
A couple of minor fixes and the East should be ours for the taking, even without an assist from the Mets.
April 2004: 10-11 (.476); Finished 86-76 (.531), missed the playoffs
April 2005: 10-14 (.417); Finished 88-74 (.543), missed the playoffs
April 2006: 10-14 (.417); Finished 85-77 (.525), missed the playoffs
April 2007: 11-14 (.440); Finished 89-73 (.549), won the NL East courtesy of the Mets and their colossal gag job down the stretch
So at 15-13 as the calendar turns to May, the Phillies have to be encouraged that they aren’t already behind the eight ball, especially considering reigning NL MVP Jimmy Rollins has missed a majority of the season with an ankle injury and former MVP Ryan Howard’s batting average looks more like my blood alcohol level in college.
In fact, the Phillies open May only a half game out of first behind the surging Florida Marlins (no, seriously). Here are five key contributors to the Phillies early-season success.
Chase Utley – On pace to be the third Phillie in the last three years to win the MVP, Utley had one of the best offensive months for a second baseman in the history of the game (.360, 11 HR, 23 RBI, 85 total bases, 1.196 OPS). He’s also been rock solid defensively, making some spectacular plays in the field.
Pat Burrell – Burrell is doing exactly what you’d expect in a contract year, hitting .326 with 8 HR and 25 RBI. If I was Charlie Manuel, I’d think about flipping Burrell and Howard in the line-up. Right now, Burrell offers more protection for Utley, plus they’d alternate right and left handed batters through the middle of the line up.
Jayson Werth – Werth has filled in admirably for Shane Victorino in center field to the point where Victorino may end up coming in off the bench or shifting to right field. Werth has also had some success as a lead-off hitter in Rollins’ stead.
Brad Lidge – The biggest off-season acquisition for the team, Lidge has returned from a knee injury suffered late last season and re-aggravated in spring training to be the hammer at the back end of the bullpen. Lidge is 6 for 6 in save opportunities, has not allowed an earned run in 11 appearances, and has a 1.09 strikeouts per inning average. I guess you could say a change of scenery has served him well.
J.C. Romero – Signed as a cast-off from the Red Sox last season, Romero has been spectacular as a set-up man this year. He’s got a 0.00 ERA and three holds.
This is not to say there’s no room for improvement. Cole Hamels excluded, each of the Phillies starters has an ERA over 5.00. Brett Myers has already surrendered 10 home runs this year. Rollins needs to get healthy and back setting the table. Howard needs to start hitting again. And there are only two NL teams (Pittsburgh and Florida) with more errors than the Fightin’ Phils, so they’ll need to rectify that.
A couple of minor fixes and the East should be ours for the taking, even without an assist from the Mets.
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