If Francisco Liriano isn't an All Star, then neither is anyone else in the AL.

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: If Francisco Liriano isn't an All Star, then neither is anyone else in the AL.

you're right you can't argue there... I was just pointing out that EG's argument isn't correct in the fact that he's calling out Hafner as a DH only... when Ortiz is exactly the same thing.


Not to say that I am arguing with EG I just think they are both deserving yet they can't both make the team because Ozzie has to go with his White Sox and having to pick a player from each team is screwing up a meaningful game.... if it was just an exhibition game I would have no problem with taking one from each team... but now that it's for homefield they need to go to the best players not Mark Redman from the Royals.

I agree with you 100%. I'm not saying Hafner is not deserving, I'm just saying Liriano to me, is the clear cut person who should be going out of that 5. Mark Redman being there is an absolute joke.

[VanillaGorilla]

Re: If Francisco Liriano isn't an All Star, then neither is anyone else in the AL.

I don't think Gary Matthews Jr. deserves to be there either. I've never seen someone elected to an All Star Game because of a nice catch a week before they pick the team. Him over Hafner is ridiculous as well, and if you need another outfielder, you could have taken someone more deserving than him, his entire first half screams "Flash in the Pan".

[prvev2]

Re: If Francisco Liriano isn't an All Star, then neither is anyone else in the AL.

Matthews is 14th in the AL with a .915 OPS. He's a good defensive player. He's having a pretty good season. Much better then Vlad Guerrero, who has a .330 OBP and .829 OPS. I realize Guerrero got voted in because he's popular, but its still dumb. Matthews does play in a good hitters park, which is really the only thing people can hold against him so far.

Hafner really should be starting instead of Ortiz. His OBP is 72 points higher and his OPS is 113 points higher. His batting average, if people want to go by that, is even 36 points higher. Ortiz does have 21 more at bats I guess, but its clear that Ortiz only got voted for because he plays for the Red Sox and Hafner plays Cleveland. Which is fine I guess. Now we have to choose between the pitcher with the best ERA so far in the majors, the best batter in the AL, and the guy with the 4th best ERA in the majors for the final spot.

[BunnyHardaway]

Re: If Francisco Liriano isn't an All Star, then neither is anyone else in the AL.

Ortiz was written in by the fans, can't just not take him.

Actually, he was in the 1st basemen section of the ballot. And hopefully what you said meant as a write-in vote and I didn't misinterpret it and look stupid.

[Beantown]

Re: If Francisco Liriano isn't an All Star, then neither is anyone else in the AL.

Actually, he was in the 1st basemen section of the ballot. And hopefully what you said meant as a write-in vote and I didn't misinterpret it and look stupid.

Was he?

Didn't see him when I voted...but that was right near the beginning when they started, so I actually wouldn't be surprised if they just put him in the first base section.

And in that case...you really can't not start him if he was voted in by the fans, that's just how it goes.

[ILLCHILL]

Re: If Francisco Liriano isn't an All Star, then neither is anyone else in the AL.

I'm not a big believer in the whole "This guy is an established veteran star so he should make it over this rookie with better numbers" idea. The All-Star game isn't a lifetime achievement award game. It shouldn't even be a "for the fans, by the fans" game. It should flat-out be the best numbers by each player at each position. Let the fans vote for the reserves maybe, but that's it.

[Beantown]

Re: If Francisco Liriano isn't an All Star, then neither is anyone else in the AL.

It should flat-out be the best numbers by each player at each position.

Only thing about that logic...is no one player has the best numbers at his position.

Pronk has the best OPS, Ortiz leads RBIs, Thome has HRs....I mean, which one do you go with?

First base is stacked in both leagues...and I think John Kruk actually said it best...All-Star games should always have a DH. It's not going to hurt the national League to, as he put it, have Pujols AND Ryan Howard in the starting line-up, and since the game is for the fans, it'd be more exciting to see 9 great hitters than 8 great hitters and a pitcher.

[bergie56]

Re: If Francisco Liriano isn't an All Star, then neither is anyone else in the AL.

Only thing about that logic...is no one player has the best numbers at his position.

Pronk has the best OPS, Ortiz leads RBIs, Thome has HRs....I mean, which one do you go with?

First base is stacked in both leagues...and I think John Kruk actually said it best...All-Star games should always have a DH. It's not going to hurt the national League to, as he put it, have Pujols AND Ryan Howard in the starting line-up, and since the game is for the fans, it'd be more exciting to see 9 great hitters than 8 great hitters and a pitcher.

I think Justin Morneau should be mentioned with AL 1B as well. He actually plays the position and is putting up pretty nice numbers so far this year. He just doesn't have the name like an Ortiz, Hafner or Thome.

[Beantown]

Re: If Francisco Liriano isn't an All Star, then neither is anyone else in the AL.

Yeah...Justin is one of the players that will probably never have the spotlight on him...that could be good, except when it comes to all-star games.

[Havok410]

Re: If Francisco Liriano isn't an All Star, then neither is anyone else in the AL.

Only thing about that logic...is no one player has the best numbers at his position.

Pronk has the best OPS, Ortiz leads RBIs, Thome has HRs....I mean, which one do you go with?

Definately not the guy with the most RBI's. Ideally it should be the guy with the best OPS but we all know that most casual fans who vote have no idea what OPS means (and apparently Ozzie doesn't either).

[Beantown]

Re: If Francisco Liriano isn't an All Star, then neither is anyone else in the AL.

I can see Ortiz starting at first base, that's obvious...everyone but Yankees fans seem to love him(minus when he's hitting walk-off hits against your team)...but choosing Konerko over Hafner is pure Ozzie homerism.

[Psyblast]

Re: If Francisco Liriano isn't an All Star, then neither is anyone else in the AL.

Definately not the guy with the most RBI's. Ideally it should be the guy with the best OPS but we all know that most casual fans who vote have no idea what OPS means (and apparently Ozzie doesn't either).

Well remember, Ozzie doesn't know English.

[throwmonkey]

Re: If Francisco Liriano isn't an All Star, then neither is anyone else in the AL.

I have said that if Liriano doesn't make the All Star team I will flat out not watch any of the All Star game or related events.

[thenbagamer]

Re: If Francisco Liriano isn't an All Star, then neither is anyone else in the AL.

Guillen is so stupid, Y the hell would he pick Buerhle and Zito over Liriano and Schilling???

[Lintyfresh85]

Re: If Francisco Liriano isn't an All Star, then neither is anyone else in the AL.

Zito had to make the team due to no other A's making it...