Now hear this: if Adam Everett is voted as the starting shortstop in the All-Star Game, then the term "All-Star shortstop" will cease to have any meaning.
OK, that's a bit harsh, as this is not a banner year for National League shortstops, mind you. I'd go with either Barry Larkin or Edgar Renteria on past performance, or Jack Wilson for having the best first half. But still, how can you vote in a guy with a .669 OPS? That's just not right, hometown boy or no.
Posted by Charles Kuffner on June 28, 2004 to Baseball | TrackBackWell, Ozzie Smith hardly tore it up all those years. Plus, it makes up for Lance Berkman being #4 in the OF and Sammy Sosa making it in despite being injured half the year.
Posted by: norbizness on June 28, 2004 9:37 PMIzturis. (Isturis?) Best fielding shortstop in the NL right now.
Posted by: Linkmeister on June 29, 2004 12:39 AMCompared to the AL, I can't think of any year in the last 20 that has been a "banner year" for NL shortstops. There was Ozzie's glove and there was Barry Larkin in his prime. That was it. Granted, this season is a real stinker even by previous NL shortstop standards, but still. The depth and magnitude of talent in the NL has lagged the AL considerably for many years now.
Compared to what's been in the AL -- Jeter, Garciaparra, A-Rod (until this year), Vizquel, Tejada...it's a wonder that at least one of the top shortstops of the AL don't demand a trade into the NL so they could start in the All-Star Game every year.
Oh, and Izturis? Nope. He's a Dodger, so I'm morally opposed. :-)
Oh, the all-star game is about picking the players with the most talent? I thought it was a popularity contest.
Posted by: clockwerks on June 29, 2004 2:17 PMTim, if it were a Giants shortstop I'd feel the same way. ;)
Posted by: Linkmeister on June 29, 2004 8:40 PM