Let the drama begin.
There is no such thing as pleasing everyone when it comes to pretty much anything in sports, but it’s especially true when it comes to the MLB All-Star roster.
MLB got smart about the process and stretched out the reveal over two days like some leagues do with drafts. It was a success—but only in the sense that it was still controversial among fans.
In part, much of the angst comes from the small army that threw votes behind the Kansas City Royals. There’s no Omar Infante, at least, but the players below who missed the cut are right to irritate many.
First, a look at those who did make it, courtesy of MLB Communications:
Notable Snubs
Justin Turner, 3B, Los Angeles Dodgers
It seems Justin Turner of the Los Angeles Dodges just doesn’t tout enough name recognition to make the roster.
For shame, too—he is one of the league’s best-kept secrets. In his second season with the Dodgers, one of the sporting world’s most famous red heads features a .315/.386/.562 slash line with 38 RBI and 11 home runs.
Dodgers manager Don Mattingly put it best in an interview with Steve Dilbeck of the Los Angeles Times last month.
“You just want people to hear about him at least,” said Mattingly. “There are a lot of great players out there, but he’s kinda showing his value around the league.”
Yahoo Sports’ Jeff Passan is one of many who wanted to see Turner in the game:
If Turner keeps on at this pace, he’s apt to make it in future years.
Sometimes making the snub lists is the first step.
Alex Rodriguez, DH, New York Yankees
Alex Rodriguez isn’t one who needs the household recognition to make the roster.
He might have a wee bit too much of it.
Rodriguez is not the most popular name in sports. His numbers, though, might see any other player—especially on the Yankees—to the Midsummer Classic. He’s sporting a .284/.390/.513 slash line with 16 homers and 47 RBI.
For most other players, that would be enough to win folks over. Not Rodriguez, a borderline modern miracle at 39 years old. ESPN.com’s Ian O’Connor elaborated on his impressive journey so far:
He realized he hadn’t put together a big year since 2010 and that he had only played 44 games since the end of a 2012 postseason that saw him get benched. The hip surgeries and layoff had left his body looking soft enough and his swing looking long enough to inspire some to wonder how Yankees GM Brian Cashman could guarantee him a home on the Opening Day roster.
As O’Connor argues, it’s probably better Rodriguez saves his aging body for a postseason run, if not a potential championship push. While the story of his comeback is great, his body isn’t through an entire season just yet.
Still, it doesn’t make his lack of an appearance at the All-Star Game any less incorrect.
Joey Votto, 1B, Cincinnati Reds
It seems fans don’t have any sense of the poetic.
It looks like Joey Votto of the Cincinnati Reds won’t suit up as an All-Star in front of his Queen City faithful. Call it a major shame, too, as the Toronto native seems as healthy as he has been in years with a .276/.387/.476 slash line, 14 homers and 39 RBI.
Maybe Votto could also use the extra time off to stay healthy. Maybe voters looked at Cincinnati’s 37-44 record and it played a part, even though there should be debate over such a factor.
Regardless, Votto remains one of the league’s best at getting on base after extending at-bats. The selection of Joe Panik (and others) over Votto is an interesting decision, to say the least.
Votto is a household name, per se, but it seems he will need more than half a season of rediscovered stellar form to win over voters and his peers.
Stats and information courtesy of MLB.com unless otherwise specified.
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