Yesterday, as I was driving home from Massachusetts, I was listening to the Boston Red Sox's postgame show, "Red Sox Rewind," on WEEI in Boston.
Among the endless calls bashing Terry Francona, most of them prefaced by "I appreciate the four championships in two years, but..." were a lot of callers wondering why Francona wouldn't pinch-hit for Jason Varitek.
Varitek is no doubt the heart and soul of the team, but he’s mired in a 3-for-28 slump and has posted a .661 OPS, on pace for the worst in his career by far.
Red Sox fans have to wonder how much longer Varitek can be a starting catcher. His numbers are of someone who is about to be designated for assignment.
Needless to say, when I glanced at the All-Star roster, I was stunned when I saw Varitek's name. I assumed Red Sox fans had voted him in as a starter, but no. The players voted Varitek in as the third catcher.
Varitek clearly is not deserving of the All-Star team, but his inclusion made me wonder where he fits in on a list of the worst All-Stars in recent memory. Here's a list of the 10 worst All-Stars in the last 10 years.
Note: I'm only including backups, guys who were not voted in by the fans. Guys like Cal Ripken Jr., who were continuously voted in based on popularity, are not included. Also, these are the worst selections based on first-half stats, not careers or full-season stats.
10. Ken Harvey—1B, Kansas City, 2004
The numbers: .305 BA, .353 OBP, .452 SLG, 10 HR, 34 RBI
Bottom line: The 2004 Royals were an example of a team without an All-Star. MLB rules mandate one player from every team, however, so Harvey made the team and, by extension, this list. His numbers aren't awful, but for a first baseman, the standard is much higher.
9. Brian Wilson—RP, San Francisco, 2008
The numbers: 0-1, 4.37 ERA, 24 saves, 1.40 WHIP, 39 Ks, 35 IP
Bottom line: Wilson leads the NL in saves, but his peripheral numbers, other than strikeouts, are awful. What puts Wilson on this list, however, is that San Francisco already had an All-Star in Tim Lincecum. If San Francisco happened to have a real closer, and Wilson pitched any other inning, Wilson wouldn’t even get a vote.
Today's Must Reads
8. Lance Carter—RP, Tampa Bay, 2003
The numbers: 5-3, 4.05 ERA, 15 saves, 1.24 WHIP, 30 K, 46.2 IP
Bottom line: Carter’s ERA and WHIP were about league-average, and he was not overpowering, but the fact that he was a closer and that he wasn’t doing a terrible job made him Tampa Bay’s representative for the 2003 game. He now pitches in Japan.
7. David Eckstein—SS, St. Louis, 2005
The numbers: .284, .370, .358. 2 HR, 46 R, 24 RBI
Bottom line: Eckstein is lauded for his grit and hustle, but All-Stars need more than that. Eck is a nice, little hustle guy, and he can be a starter, but by no means is he an All-Star.
The 46 runs are nice, but that’s largely a product of how high he hit in the order. He also made the All-Star team the next season with similar first-half numbers.
6. Freddy Sanchez—2B, Pittsburgh, 2007
The numbers: .296, .326, .383, 2 HR, 33 R, 32 RBI
Bottom line: Sanchez’s numbers took a dive after leading the National League in batting average in 2006. He played like a run-of-the-mill infielder, but, thanks to the Pirates' lack of talent, and Sanchez’s one-year track record, he was voted in as their representative.
5. Ron Coomer—1B, Minnesota, 1999
The numbers: .282, .312, .458, 11 HR, 27 R, 37 RBI
Bottom line: The Twins went 63-97, so the fact that Coomer was their best player isn’t so surprising. Aside from his on-base percentage, his numbers aren’t terrible, but you'd expect to get better numbers from an All-Star splitting time between first and third base.
4. Cesar Izturis—SS, Los Angeles, 2005
The numbers: .275, .322, .338, 1 HR, 38 R, 20 RBI
Bottom line: Izturis started off 2005 on a tear, hitting .345 as late as June 1. Unfortunately, he proceeded to hit .105 in June, dropping his average .070 points in one month. By the time the All-Star game came around, his numbers had completely tanked, but he made the team nonetheless.
3. Mark Redman—SP, Kansas City, 2006
The numbers: 6-4, 5.27 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 32 Ks, 82 IP
Bottom Line: Redman was the ace of the Royals’ staff in 2006. Look at his numbers, and you can see why Kansas City struggled that year. He was even worse in the second half. He’s a classic example of someone who is an All-Star solely based on what team he played for.
2. Mike Williams—RP, Pittsburgh, 2003
The numbers: 1-3, 6.44 ERA, 25 saves, 1.74 WHIP, 19 Ks, 36.1 IP
Bottom line: Like Wilson, he was only nominated for having a large number of saves; however, Williams’ numbers make Brian Wilson look like Mariano Rivera. Pittsburgh finally learned from its mistake of pitching Williams so often by moving him to Philadelphia soon after the All-Star game.
1. Jason Varitek—C, Boston, 2008
The numbers: .219, .301, .360, 7 HRs, 18 R, 27 RBI
Bottom line: Varitek has by far the worst numbers of any offensive All-Star. It’s not like he’s an All-Star every year. This is a respect nomination; he hasn’t made the team since 2005. That, coincidentally, is the last time Francona managed the American League All-Stars.
Honorable Mention
2002: Robert Fick
2003: Shawn Chacon
2003: Rondell White
2003: Dmitri Young
2004: Ted Lilly
2005: Scott Podsednik
2006: Jose Lopez
2006: Mark Loretta
To contact Mackenzie, please post on his profile, e-mail mackenzie.kraemer@villanova.edu, or visit www.jetsdaily.com.
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2 months ago
Nice list here, Mackenzie!
2 months ago
You hit #1 right on.
2 months ago
I love this article. It's funny to look back at the worthless shmucks who made it to the All-Star game.
I laughed out loud at Ken Harvey. Who remembers Ken Harvey? Honestly?
from 2 months ago
I do...
from 2 months ago
I remember Ken Harvey, but not because he was voted to the All-Star game undeservedly. I believe it was in 2005 when he was involved in a fielding play that resembled the Three Stooges.
One was on a relay throw from right field where Harvey ducked out of the way to avoid being hit and instead the ball struck him squarely in the back. Very funny stuff.
from 2 months ago
I remember Ken Harvey as a guy who in my OOTP sim leagues would always be very talented but never really play as well as he was supposed to. He's still only 30 years old.
from about 1 month ago
I remember Ken Harvey better than anyone else, he tossed me a game ball after the last out of an inning a couple years back. Now, if you really want to hurt yourself thinking up another failure at 1B for the Royals think of Calvin Pickering...I got his autograph.
2 months ago
Although I do disagree with your 2005 honorable mention. Podsednik was the main reason the World Series team won that year.
from 2 months ago
Yeah, that was a late addition. I might still delete it because his first half steals numbers were phenomenal, but I decided on yes because he had just 14 extra base hits in the first half, and none of them were triples or home runs. OBP is more important than slugging, but how could someone with his speed not even have one triple?
2 months ago
Randy Winn is another one of my favorites. He'd be an honorable mention, but he did steal 16 bases at the break, too. He was fast when he first came up.
You can also look at Charles Nagy in 1998 or Danys Baez in 2005 (though he deserved it) or James Baldwin in 2000. Go back further, and you'll see immortals like Rolando Arrojo.
I wanted to put guys in who didn't really deserve to make it. You can look at some no-name guys who have been all-stars, but some have deserved it or been close enough where there's no problem with it.
And as I type this, here comes Varitek to face Mariano Rivera. Tek is good against Mo usually, but still, interesting move.
2 months ago
James Baldwin was the winner of the 2000 All-Star game for the American League, though.
Pretty much any All-Star from the Devil Rays/Expos/Nationals/Pirates/Royals in the past 10 years deserve to be on this list haha.
2 months ago
Most of the other players aside from Varitek HAD to make it, because they were the best players on one-All-Star teams. Having him elected, however, is basically indefensible.
2 months ago
Good list you put together here. As I had wrote in my own article on the matter, I can't comprehend how Jason Varitek made the All Star team over so many more deserving candidates. Especially with this All Star game being the last at Yankee stadium, choosing Varitek over Posada, Molina, or heck, just about any other catcher was a horrible move.
2 months ago
Although Varitek is apparently a "player's decision" as described by Tito on Sunday Night Baseball, I have a hard time believing that he had nothing to do with his selection. How about Mussina getting snubbed big time on an All Star bid. Thanks Francona.
2 months ago
Captain Varitek can't even put the ball in play when Francona puts on a hit and run. Pathetic.
2 months ago
Varitek is terrible...I'm sick and tired of fan voting.
from 2 months ago
I'm sick of fan voting, too, but the players apparently did it. Even if Francona had something to do with it, the fans voted Mauer in.
from 2 months ago
Ben, the fans didn't vote Tek in, the players did. But I agree that the fans don't always do a good job. What many of them do (I only do this if it's a toss-up) is pick guys from their favorite team, ignoring others more deserving.
2 months ago
Hey at least the Royals would usually have Mike Sweeney to vote for! And Beltran for a short period of time.
Anyway, I completely forgot about Coomer; nice little blast from the not too distant past.
The one thing I remember about Harvey is how John Kruk loves that little blooper of him getting hit in the chest. He loves it.
from 2 months ago
Coomer is one of my favorite, "He was an all-star?!?" guys, and he's part of the reason I did the past 10 years for this list. Chris Capuano is another guy who people will forget about in a few years.
from 2 months ago
Those were dark days for the Twins indeed, when Ron Coomer was the best player the team could send and the reading of the lineups sounded like a game of "One of These Things is Not Like the Others" from Sesame Street.
2 months ago
I guess I'm gonna come off as somewhat of a homer on this one, but here's the case for Brian Wilson...
He's 24-26 in save opportunities, so when he's in, he gets the job done.
And about half of the time when he gives up runs, it's not in a save opportunity. One of those appearances was four runs in 2/3 of an inning against the Chi Sox in May. The other notable non-save opportunity when he game up runs was recently, June 16 against the Tigers. And before that appearance, his ERA was in the 3s.
from 2 months ago
That is one of the few things I noticed about Wilson, that despite his ERA and WHIP, he only blew two saves. He strikes out a lot of guys, but if his strikeout totals drop, he could be in trouble.
Either way, the reason he's on the all-star team is because of his save total, nothing else. It's hard to find many relievers who make the team with ERAs and WHIPs that high.
from about 1 month ago
You're wrong about Wilson. Wilson is the closer, he's blown only two saves all season. Would he be having a better season if he had saved 23/26 games but had an era of 0.87? Because if he did his team would have one less win.
2 months ago
wow i never really looked at it that way. this is halarious
2 months ago
Man we can't even depend on the players and coaches to pick us up when the fans make a mistake.
Brian Wilson sticks out.. If Joe Borowski can't make it, then why should Wilson.. I was rather shocked to see Wilson on the team with Lincecum making it and all.
Great list overall. Mark Redman was a historically awful selection, but there was nothing that could be done about that.
from 2 months ago
The point of a closer is to close games. And that is what he does, he gets the job done, point blank. And Wilson is a real closer, he has explosive stuff. He leads the NL in saves, albeit he gives up a run here and there. But what makes Wilson an all star is day in and day out he closes games out. In the bay area he reminds us of Robb Nen. Comes in the game, puts a runner or two on base, scares the fans a lil bit, then shuts the door. He has only blown two saves on the season, and when u play for a team that can't score many runs the fact that they can rely on him to end the game is what is keeping the Giants, albeit miraculously, in third place, and only 5 games out of the shitty west. Him and Lincecum deserve it.
from 2 months ago
I love those closers, trust me.. I really do. I wasn't real aware only blew two saves.. My hats are off to him..
2 months ago
Really a good list but really, there are always going to be bad teams and every team needs a representative. I know those of you in Boston, NY, and Chicago would rather it not be that way, but those of us who live in small market crappy towns love to see our guys make it. Your list includes a few of the "best of the worst" players...I don't think that's really fair.
Sure Freddy Sanchez wasn't the best player but really, he was the best on the Pirates. On top of that, no one even noticed that he won the batting title the year before. I think it was just a makeup selection for a guy who got no MVP votes even though he owned the league in batting.
There is usually someone one every All Star roster that you can play "one of these things doesn't belong" with. Those players tend to come from places like San Diego, Pittsburgh, Colorado, Kansas City, Tampa, and Miami. Of course, this year, I think a lot of the Rays got shafted in favor of Red Sox and Yankees.
2 months ago
I completely forgot Coomer was an All-Star. For those not living in the Minnesota area, Coomer now is a on-field and post-game guy for Fox Sports North. To put it nicely, he's put on a few... dozen pounds. Quite frankly, he's the size of a small automobile. And the fact that they make him do demonstrations is priceless. Bert Blyleven (should be in the HoF and does color commentary for the games) just makes fun of the guy all the time. The one upside is the man, Coomer, doesn't pretend like he was anything special. That's a plus.
2 months ago
Pardon my ignorance... But what's an OPS? (.661 OPS)
from 2 months ago
OPS is on base percentage plus slugging percentage. Just add the two numbers together, and you get a somewhat accurate picture of how strong a hitter someone is.
from 2 months ago
OPS is one of the more modern stats that people prefer to judge players by. It is the sum of a players' slugging percentage (total bases/at bats) and on-base percentage. It is generally viewed as being much more telling than a player's batting average.
from about 1 month ago
Ah, thanks... I feel enlightened. Now that I've learned something today, I can go back to potato land... :-)
2 months ago
Mackenzie, this was so much fun to read and remembering guys like Ken Harvey and Lance Carter made me burst out laughing. Fantastic job!
2 months ago
The majority of the people that are on your accurate list are products of the stupidest rule in baseball that every team must be represented at the all-star game.
2 months ago
I agree with most of this I firmly believe the fans should not have the right to choose the all-star team. Sometimes the best players don't make it while players like Jason Varitek do...
2 months ago
Now we need to use Bill James (or whoever) 's system to predict win-loss... Build an All All-Star team from this list, and I think they'd shatter the Tiger's 119 loss season.
Brian Wilson, Ron Coomer, Cesar Izturis, Mark Redman and Shawn Chacon were my favorites.
Brian Wilson was a beach boy, Coomer's easily the stupidest named Cub in recent memory, Izturis can't even afford 2 A's in his first name, and the other two couldn't hit the broad side of a barn.
About Varitek though, so his offense hasn't been wonderful... other years it has... everyone has slumps, so what if his has lasted 6 weeks, or roughly 75% as long as DiMaggio's streak? Maybe they want him on the team because he makes the best herbal tea, and THAT'S his calming effect on the pitching staff... or maybe he's the best dressed All-Star, and they don't want to lose to the Senior Circuit --- have to keep making up for that 100 yr inferiority complex.
Oh well, I can't wait to see Kerry Wood strike out Jason Varitek in a pinch hit situation. :D
2 months ago
If Wilson only blew two saves, then he's a better choice for his team than Kerry Wood was for the NL, and I'm a Cubs fan admitting this. Wood has blown 5 saves already. And I have to admit that Fukudome didn't deserve it. .287 with 7 homeers despite a high OBP usually won't get you there.
2 months ago
How V-Tek was voted in by the players in assinine. They guy is having a horrible year. AJ Pierzynski is batting .296, .333 OBA, 7 HR on a first place team. I understand that he may be disliked by players around the league, BUT when this game decides home field advantage in the World Series and most almost all teams in MLB have losing road records, you need to have the best guys play. Its one thing for the fans to make bad picks, but the players?
2 months ago
Tek made it in '05 just because that was the the year following the series win and all the sox fans came out of the woodwork. I'm pretty sure we voted a sox player into the top 5 for all positions
2 months ago
Love this list, it really is a shame that a guy batting just north of the Mendoza line can somehow make it to the all-star team... aren't the Red Sox even attempting to get rid of Varitek? I also believe that the rule stating every team should be represented needs to go away. There've been too many token players that have no business being there, and that outweighs the guys that get snubbed due to less exposure.
2 months ago
Varitek is a terrible selection for the all-star game. he is arguably the worst offensive player in baseball since the end of may. as a red sox fan, i wish he didn't make the team because i would rather he got the rest during those days (same thing for manny, who probably doesn't deserve to be an all-star this year). but i also don't think it makes any sense to imply some sort of favoritism or conspiracy theory with francona being the manager this year and 2005. the players voted varitek in. do you think francona was on the phone to players around baseball telling them to vote in varitek? i don't find that very credible. and also, while varitek has no business being on any all-star team this year, in 2005, he was a worthy selection - at the all-star break, .301 batting average, .525 slg, 13 hrs, 17 doubles. and in '05, the fans voted in varitek, so again, it had nothing to do with francona.
from 2 months ago
No doubt he was worthy in 2005. Just thought it was an interesting coincidence, even if there isn't a whole lot of merit to it.
2 months ago
Thanks for the great comments everyone. I love looking at little baseball factoids like that. Even if a lot of fans might find this stuff stupid or irrelevant, I think it's interesting looking at guys like Coomer, Izturis, and Redman.
about 1 month ago
Great list! Interesting too see some of those names pop up again. Happens every year. I do like the fact that each team has to have a rep. I mean, the teams are so big, and not everyone is going to play, might as well get each team involved. In basketball, franchises go years without ever getting an all-star and it can be a big letdown for the fans who have enough to worry about in those cities where obviously your team isn't very good.
I will defend Jose Lopez though. A.) He plays 2nd base in the AL where there aren't a lot of great players offensively and he was near the top of the RBIs list for the AL during most of the 1st half. And this year I'd still put him 3rd on the Mariners list of deserving all-stars after Felix Hernandez and Brandon Morrow. (And ahead of Ichiro)
from about 1 month ago
That's a valid defense of Lopez. 2nd base in the AL was bad that year offensively, and he was probably the best candidate. However, statistically, he's still one of the 15 worst all-stars. That's not a knock on him, as he was good enough to make the team, but that was a down year.
from about 1 month ago
If you are basing it off of Jose Lopezs entire season, in which he slumped hard after the All-Star break, then yes, he did not match up well offensively to other "Allstars" But if you compared his numbers at the time the rosters were announced to all other AL 2nd baseman All-Stars of the last ten years, he was not a bad choice. Im not just saying for that year, but I'd bet that he probably had more RBI than almost any of them up until the All-Star break. If I werent at work, I'd look that up, but Im confident he was a deserving all-star that year and would have made the team in almost any other year with those numbers.
about 1 month ago
The list is good, but Varitek is the best game caller currently playing, sure his offensive numbers are horrible, and they have been like that for about the past 5 years, but behind the plate he is the best in the majors.
If Brian Wilson is in your top ten then you should definitely throw in Brian Fuentes from last years game. He didn't play because of injury, but even before the game he had lost his closers job to Corpas because he had played so horrifically.
from about 1 month ago
Fuentes is one I had in my original list (I wrote the article once and then when I tried to submit it, it didn't work and I lost it), but then I overlooked him for this list. He had a 3.89 ERA, so I probably should have had him as an honorable mention, even in the humidor and Coors Field.
about 1 month ago
Tek is a great example of what is wrong with society, let alone baseball. How could an individual rationalize voting him in, it would simply make me feel dirty...
That aside, I disagree with one of your picks specifically. That, of Brian Wilson.
Wilson has been a lot better then his numbers show. Most of his poor outings have been in blow outs, where he admits to having 'lost focus'. Consider this, he has 2 blown saves. In his 26 'save situation' outings, he has allowed 7 runs. This in 25.1 innings. That works out to an ERA of about 2.50. In other words, when he has been doing his job, he has been doing so extraordinarily well!
Consider also that Wilson's FIP is about 3.50. This shows that his high ERA is more due to poor luck, then poor pitching.
Other then that, outstanding list.
from about 1 month ago
Wilson's high K-rate is nice, but his walk rate isn't that great. I understand he may have been unlucky and his stats may advance to the mean, but there's no real track record of relievers with ERAs and WHIPs that high making the all-star team. Wilson's having a pretty good year, but I would argue Valverde, Lyon, Cordero, Rauch, and Capps all should be on the team over Wilson. Wilson does have the most saves, and I understand that he's having a good year, but he's not having an all-star year in my mind.
from about 1 month ago
Valverde - 5 blown saves
Capps - 5 blown saves
Rauch - 5 blown saves
Cordero - 4 blown saves
Lyon - 3 blown saves
Its not ONLY about the quantity of saves. In fact, I never even mentioned the the amount of saves Wilson has because I see them as irrelevant. What also doesn't matter is a closers ERA, in a sense. As I mentioned, Wilson has an incredible ERA in save situations. Given the higher amount of blown saves that the group you mentioned own, I would gather that their ERA's are higher in save situations.
Given that the role that each of these relievers has with their respective teams-that is, to ensure victory-it is impossible to suggest that a pitcher who has allowed more (and substantially more in all but Lyon's case) leads waste away, has done a better job then a pitcher who has ensured his team walked away with a victory.
Let's put it this way...
What if Wilson was doing what he has done for the Astros, the team would have an additional 3 wins. That is substantial. Or conversely, what if the Giants had Valverde, they would have 3 fewer wins, again, a substantial amount.
from about 1 month ago
You make great points, but the bottom line is that his ERA and WHIP are high for any all-star, much less a reliever. Great job looking deeper at the numbers, and I understand what you're saying. It's just hard for me to approve of a reliever who has allowed as many runs and as many baserunners as he has. He's gotten the job done, but I thought that might regress soon, and his blown saves total might go up. Your FIP stat definitely makes me rethink that a little though.
from about 1 month ago
Player X's FIP is 2.80. Player Y's is 3.53.
Player X's walk rate is 3.4 percent. Player Y's is 10.8.
Player X's strikeout rate is 23.0 percent. Player Y's is 25.7.
Player X has thrown 44.1 innings. Player Y has thrown 33.2.
Who do you think the better player is? Player X, right?
Player X is Jon Rauch. Player Y is, you guessed it, Brian Wilson.
Additionally, blown saves is an equally meaningless statistic, Brandon. I don't have the data, but Rauch could have worked in more close save situations, so one run allowed blew the save, while Wilson has allowed two runs with a three-run lead he happened to have. If Wilson had a one-run lead in those situations, do you think he'd magically be better?
Rauch has four wins while Wilson has zero, which speaks to that point. While Rauch has blown some saves, it seems they haven't cost his team the game too often. Rauch has two losses and Wilson has one. The fact Rauch is way more of a workhorse and only walks batters when it's intentional makes him a much better option. He's just an example, as the other guys are more imposing shut-down relievers, too. Wilson should not be an All-Star.
from about 1 month ago
Hey Brandon,
Like Brian Wilson, C.J. Wilson only has two blown saves. Do you think he's better than Jonathan Papelbon, who has four blown saves?
from about 1 month ago
Tim,
Nice research...
What is Rauch's walk rate in save situations?
What is his ERA?
What is his strikeout rate?
Etc, etc...
The fact is, Wilson has been OUTSTANDING in save situations. No one can argue that. NO ONE! His job as a reliever is to shut the door on close games, and he has done that better then anyone else in the National League. This is why he leads the league in save %, and saves.
Furthermore, IF CJ Wilson has been better in save situations this season, then YES, he has been the better closer to THIS POINT THIS SEASON.
That's the problem people have with All Stars, they forget that things aren't based on the previous 3 seasons. Things are based on the team a player plays for. An All Star is based on the here and now. If the season were to end today, Papelbon's extra blown saves are the difference between winning the division...What if the trend continues? That's an extra 4 blown saves...Tell me thats not substantial?
from about 1 month ago
Blown saves is a flawed statistic only because a pitcher can receive one while not allowing a run themself. For example, a pitcher can allow an inherited runner to score from 3rd with 0 outs. This undeniably would not be the closers fault although it would be called a blown save.
However, when a pitcher comes in with even a 1 run lead and needing 3 outs to get through the inning, giving up that lead, while less easy then a 3 run lead, is still extremely unlikely and that pitchers WPA will reflect it. I suppose WPA would be a more valuable stat to look at for closers.
Not surprisingly, Brian Wilson's sits at 2.41 while Jon Rauch's is 1.55.
To add fuel to my argument that the most important job for a reliever is to FINISH the game, CJ Wilson owns a 1.36 WPA, while Jonathan Papelbon is at .65.
In other words, Brian Wilson has done more to help the Giants win games then Jon Rauch has done for the Nationals. WPA represents this.
But some people don't love WPA, so how about WXRL?
Wilson is #2 in the National League, while Rauch is #7, scoring 30% lower then Wilson.
In other words, there are two very valid measures that suggest that Wilson has done a superior job at adding wins to his team then Rauch has. Are wins not the most important statistic in baseball? Are they not especially important for a closer?
The problem is, you are focusing on Wilson's season when he has been used in situations where the Giants were not going to win anyways. If those scenarios, his ERA, Walk Rate, Strikeout Rate, etc are all substantially higher (or lower for Ks) then they are in scenarios when Wilson NEEDS to buckle down and win the game.
For example, on May 18th, Wilson allowed 4 runs over .2 of an inning and created ONLY -.133 of a loss for the Giants. This was not a save situation, but Wilson made the game out of reach. Conversely, on May 2nd, Wilson allowed 2 runs over a .2 of an inning and created a WHOPPING -.792 of a loss. In other words, the loss was entirely Wilson's fault.
The numbers that matter, NEVER lie!
about 1 month ago
Does anybody remember who made the All-Star team for the 119 loss Tigers a few years back?
from about 1 month ago
Dmitri Young. He wasn't having an awful year. He was also the Nationals' token candidate last season.
about 1 month ago
I want to see Varitek just flat-out say he won't play in the game because he doesn't deserve it. Because he doesn't.
about 1 month ago
Varitek was voted in by the players, and that voting was likely done before his slump reached this level. He goes through phases where he can't lay off high fastballs and develops a couple other bad habits, but he comes out of them.
I think an All-Star selection should also involve a body of work. I don't think Varitek deserves to be on this team this year, but he does not deserve to be No. 1 on your list.
about 1 month ago
I think EVERYONE should agree Varitek belongs nowhere near the All-Star Game and this is not my Yankees-biased opinion. His numbers are not All-Star caliber at all and its not like his team didn't have OTHER PLAYERS selected (7 for god's sake!).
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