[I didn't make this year's All-Star team, so I'll be taking a break for the next few days, resting up for the second half. Meantime, we've got re-runs for you. This one is a combination of two entries that originally ran July 1 and 3, 2001. Seems pretty topical right about now. Enjoy!]
I
After reading yet another article defending David Bell‘s imminent presence on the American League All-Star squad and, more fundamentally, the fans’ right to make hair-brained choices in determining who should play in the mid-season contest, I’d originally intended to dedicate this space to a rant about the entire All-Star voting process. But after thinking about it a bit, and realizing that such a rant wouldn’t be at all effective or even entertaining, I decided to change course.
So instead of talking about possible solutions to the problem of “fans” choosing someone like Bell to represent the AL team as the best third baseman in the league, I’m going to advocate something radically different and yet elegant in its simplicity: Don’t watch the game.
I’m not being facetious, nor am I suggesting that everyone should follow this course of action. If you don’t have a problem with a .247/.293/.385 hitter starting at the hot corner in an All-Star Game, then ignore my recommendation. The game is, after all, simply an exhibition. Yes, it’s supposed to feature the best players in the big leagues, and it would be nice if it did, but in the end, it’s a game that doesn’t count in the standings or anywhere else that actually matters. [Ed note: This was before Bud Selig and friends decided that players on non-contending teams should have some influence over what happens in the World Series.]
If you can accept the All-Star Game at face value and don’t mind the fact that it doesn’t quite deliver on its promise of bringing together only the best players, then sit back, relax, and enjoy. I mean, is having David Bell (and I have no problem with him per se–the guy’s just doing his job the best he can; it’s certainly not his fault the fans have voted him into the game) really any worse than forcing every team to have a representative in the game? And even if it is, who cares? The integrity, such as it may be, of Major League Baseball is not at stake here. We’re not talking about reinstating Pete Rose and allowing him into the Hall of Fame (don’t get me started); this is a simple game that counts for nothing.
On the other hand, if you’re like me and want to see only the best players, then maybe the All-Star Game isn’t for you. The game is for the fans, and the fans want Bell to start at third. God bless ‘em. Me, I think I’ll skip the festivities and watch the more interesting Futures Game, which features many of the best prospects in baseball. If I’m lucky, maybe I’ll get to see the next David Bell…
II
The fans have spared us the indignity of having to watch David Bell start at third base in the All-Star Game. Cal Ripken, one of the few choices worse than Bell, will get the nod instead. Hopefully Ripken, who is hitting .227/.261/.328, will get an at-bat and a well-deserved standing ovation, then turn it over to the best third baseman in the league, Troy Glaus. [Ed note: Ripken homered in the contest.]
His atrocious stats notwithstanding, Ripken actually isn’t an unreasonable choice. Unlike Bell, who really hasn’t had much historical impact on the game, Ripken, for those of you too young or too old to remember, was an offensive force at shorstop through much of the 1980s and the early part of the 1990s. His numbers don’t look very impressive now, in light of the way guys like A-Rod, Nomar, Jeter, and Larkin have revolutionized the position, but at the time, Ripken was a man among boys. Yeah, he probably should have retired 8-10 years ago, and it might not have been a bad idea for him to take a few days off now and then in his younger days, but in his prime, Ripken was one of the elite players in the game.
Over in the National League, it looks like Tony Gwynn will be named to the squad for sentimental reasons as well. I’m a huge Gwynn fan and very grateful I’ve been able to watch him up close over the years. But it will be a shame if he ends up taking up a roster spot more appropriately given to someone like Cliff Floyd or Phil Nevin. Still, with guys like Ripken and Gwynn, you can’t gripe too much. The real shame is that folks seeing them now for the first time won’t get a true sense of how great they were back in the day.
I’m disgusted that after all these years you have to bring up 2001. I used to watch the all-star game until that year. I quit watching because of the horrible treatment that was thrown at one player who never deserved any wrath. He even said that he didn’t want to go and that he would gladly give his spot to Ripken.
I don’t think fans should be voting on the all star game because fans don’t base selections on merit. But, none of it is Bell’s fault and I can’t believe that he’s still getting grief.
Yeah, Bell was really more of a victim in this one than anything. But I did pretty well lose whatever faith I’d had in fans’ All-Star voting, and like you, I haven’t really paid much attention to the ASG ever since. Kind of like I stopped worrying about the Gold Glove after Rafael Palmeiro won one the year he only played about 20 games in the field.