MLB All-Star Game Snubbery

(Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

With the All-Star Game come snubs. It is what happens when you let the world vote when the world doesn't seem to know how to read numbers. 

What is more frustrating is the fact the game counts for home field advantage in the World Series, which is why allowing fans to vote needs to stop. If we are going to make it count, then you might as well take all the fun out of it and just have computers calculate the best players and not make it so every team is represented.

The World Series is kind of a big deal, and just handing it to a team based on what players on the Pirates do just does not make sense. 

It also doesn't make sense for anyone to turn on ESPN around All-Star time, or else we end up with guys like Tim Wakefield on the team.

American League Snubs

The Just Bad Luck Snubs

Miguel Cabrera (.323 BA, 16 HR, 47 RBI, 48 R, .389 OBP)

Responsible for the Snubbing

Kevin Youkilis (.301 BA, 14 HR, 47 RBI, 49 R, .423 OBP)

Those Affected by Secondhand Snubbing

Russell Branyan (.295 BA, 20 HR, 45 RBI, 47 R, .388 OBP)

This was just the wrong position to be at this year. Mark Teixeira and Justin Morneau had to be in, and then it was between Cabrera and Youkilis for the last spot at first base. It is hard to find anything incredibly different in their offensive production. 

As an All-Star coach, you have to go with Youkilis based on his far better glove and the fact Cabrera still has issues running the bases.

Branyan never had a chance playing in Seattle. On nearly any other team, Branyan's RBI numbers would be far higher, and he would get far more exposure.

The How Many Times Did Steve Berthiaume and Peter Gammons Vote Snub

Ian Kinsler (.256 BA, 19 HR, 51 RBI, 57 R, .333 OBP, 16 SB)

Responsible for the Snubbing

Dustin Pedroia (.290 BA, 3 HR, 36 RBI, 59 R, .368 OBP, 14 SB)

Those Affected by Secondhand Snubbing

Robinson Cano (.302 BA, 13 HR, 43 RBI, 52 R, .334 OBP, 4 SB)
Brian Roberts (.278 BA, 8 HR, 40 RBI, 62 R, .344 OBP, 17 SB)

When I saw how far Kinsler's batting average had fallen, I thought perhaps his not making it was justifiable. This was until I saw Curtis Granderson had made it with a .256 batting average as well.

Then when I saw Pedroia had not only replaced him, but was starting over Ben Zobrist and Aaron Hill, I smelled snubbery. Kinsler is tied for first in baseball in home runs and stolen bases at second base, and the rest of his numbers aren't too bad either.

Pedroia should not have made the team and certainly should not be starting. Zobrist, Hill, Kinsler, Cano, and Roberts all have better numbers than him.

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