MLB - Hanging Chads on All-Star Ballots
By Ryan Noonan
Thursday, June 27th, 2002
If you've been to a game yet this season, there is a good chance it has happened
to you. It happens every game, at every park (except maybe Oakland),
and everyone gets a shot at it. For every fan that wants to be a manager,
voting for the All-Star Game is usually the closest they get to the real
thing. And voting practices are just as diverse as the fans in attendance.
How do you make your selections for the All-Star teams?
Do you go through the ballot, randomly poking out holes until you've got
a neat design? (Usually reserved for children under six and girlfriends who
think the pitcher is cute and can't comprehend the concept of the pinch-hitter.)
Are you the guy who brings the sports section of the newspaper with the current
batting statistics so you can make the most scientific pick possible? (You
think I'm kidding, I've seen it.)
Do you stockpile the ballots then go through and poke out only the guys on
your favorite team? (Usually associated with guys who wear the team jersey
to games, bring their glove, and cheer obnoxiously loud when someone catches
a routine pop fly.)
Or, if you're anything like me, you set it down to search for a pencil or
key, forget about it for an inning, then, next thing you know it's covered
in some kind of soda, beer, nacho concoction under your seat. (Which turns
out to be a pretty expensive concoction.)
Regardless of how you vote, there is always some controversy and confusion
when it comes time to tally the starters. For the most part, I think we fans
do a pretty good job when it comes to picking the most deserving. But every
once in a while, there are those players that just seem to sneak in under
the media radar. They play well, put up great offensive numbers, but they
don't get the recognition from the fans.
The following is a lineup of guys who simply can't attract fan attention
or respect. In order to make this list, the position player could not have
been in the top five in voting at their position. Or in the case of the outfield,
the top 10. Remember, I'm not advocating that these players should be starting,
I'm just saying they deserve more votes than they're receiving.
Just like that new guy at a pickup game who turns out to be really good,
but gets picked second-to-last, because the only other option is the
uncoordinated kid who gets nosebleeds when he runs the bases, it's the...
The All-Underrated Team
Catcher - Rob Fick
He doesn't have great numbers compared to other position players, but he
certainly holds his own against catchers. With an average hovering around
.300 and the potential to hit 25 and drive in 80, Fick is among the best
run-producing catchers in the big leagues. And although he shouldn't be mentioned
with names like Jorge Posada and Pudge Rodriguez, he should
get more consideration than Jason Varitek or Dan Wilson.
Runner up: None -- just picking Fick was a big enough stretch.
Firstbase - Mike Sweeney
From now on, this list might just be called the "Mike Sweeney Team." What
does this guy have to do to get a vote? Last year, he finished behind Wally
Joyner in All-Star voting, and Joyner had already retired. Since 1999,
he's batted .325, knocked in 381 runs, and scored 350 times. That averages
out to .325, 108 RBI, and 100 runs scored per season. I'm not saying he needs
to be starting at first, these aren't Jason Giambi numbers, but Sweeney
isn't even cracking the top five.
Runner up: Paul Konerko
Secondbase - Junior Spivey
Once again, not the best player at his position in the league, but easily
in the top three this season. Going from unknown to potential all-star in
a matter of two months, the fans can't really be blamed for over looking
Spivey. But other than Jose Vidro, no NL second baseman is having
a more complete season.
Runner up: Luis Castillo
Thirdbase - Tony Batista
Tony had an "offseason" last year when he hit 25 homeruns and drove in 87
RBI. Okay, in the past, the guy could keep a windmill running for as many
times he swings and misses, but how can you not respect someone who is going
to hit 35-40 homeruns and drive in over 100 RBI if he just has an above-average
season. He gets the nod over Eric Chavez only because of his wacky
batting stance.
Runner up: Eric Chavez
Shortstop - Miguel Tejada
Do they pass out those all-star ballots at Oakland games? The most votes
an A's player has gotten is David Justice at just under 200,000. Tejada
has hit at least 30 homeruns and driven in at least 113 RBI in each of the
last two seasons. No, he's not in the same class as A-Rod, Derek
Jeter, or Nomar Garciaparra, but he's not too far behind. With
all due respect to Christian Guzman and Carlos Guillen, if
the first three are taken, Tejada is my next in line. If he ever moves to
the NL, he's the best shortstop in the league, hands down.
Runner up: Jose Hernandez - A good season, but he's on pace for like
600 strikeouts. (Actually he is in the top five in voting, but that could
be a nasty ploy by Bud Selig and Co. to get more Brewers into
the Milwaukee-hosted All-Star Game. For all that money they paid for the
stadium, Bud wants to see it full, just once.)
Outfield - Brian Giles
Brian Giles does not deserve to be on a "Most Underrated" list ever again.
When you put up the kind of numbers he delivers on a consistent basis, the
only lists you belong on are All-Star starting lineups and MVP candidates.
Like Sweeney, Giles suffers from "Ernie Banks" syndrome. A fantastic
player on a horrible, horrible team.
Outfield - Shawn Green
Tsuyoshi Shinjo, Jim Edmonds, Moises Alou, Armando
Rios. All of these guys have more votes than Shawn Green. Armando Rios?
Are you kidding me? Is his name next to Barry Bonds on the ballot?
Has Pat Buchannan recorded any votes as an outfielder? What else does
Green have to do to get recognized? He could hit 40 homeruns and drive in
130 guys and call it an average season. He steals bases. He is a good fielder.
He's a genuine, quality role model. He plays in a large market. This is the
one guy on this list that probably should be on the starting roster. Everyone
else deserves more respect, but there is no reason Shawn Green is not a
superstar.
Outfield - Garrett Anderson
Actually, if he plays in the NL, he probably doesn't deserve to be on this
list. But I needed an American League player and Anderson will do quite nicely.
With virtually no publicity, he has become one of the most productive outfielders
in the American League. He is first among AL outfielders in RBI and second
in homeruns. And he leads all outfielders in doubles. But when it comes to
the voting, he doesn't even register a blip on the screen. Garrett may want
to get out of SoCal if he ever wants to be noticed.
Runners up: Larry Walker, Bobby Abreu, Darrin Erstad
There they are. These are the best guys in the Major League that you're not
voting for. And whether you pick them next time or not, if you've read this
far, at least you've heard of them. And I can guarantee that you'll see at
least half of these guys on the bench in Milwaukee as coach picked all-stars.
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