2010 MLB All-Star Game: 9 All-Stars Who Owe their Managers One

Each year, one question rises to the surface following the announcement of the American and National League rosters for the Major League Baseball All-Star Game: who got snubbed by the All-Star managers?

Today, I take a look at the other side of the coin. Since 2000, a number of players have been selected by their own managers as All-Star managers, despite the fact that they were having less-than-spectacular seasons.

Here are 10 All-Stars Who Owe their Managers One.

9. Phil Hughes—2010

Manager: Joe Girardi
Numbers at the break (as of 7/6/2010): 10-2, 3.83 ERA, 86 K, 1.20 WHIP

Hughes is having a very good season, and his 10 wins are amongst the league leaders. However, his secondary numbers, especially his ERA, are not worthy of an All-Star appearance.

8. Javier Vazquez—2004

Manager: Joe Torre
Numbers at the break: 10-5, 3.56 ERA, 95 K, 1.15 WHIP

Vazquez’s first go-round in New York was a disaster, and it is hard to believe that he was an All Star that year. While Vazquez's first half numbers were considerably better than his second-half stats, Torre clearly gave the nod to one of his own over other more deserving candidates in this case.

7. Aaron Cook—2008

Manager: Clint Hurdle
Numbers at the break: 11-6, 3.57 ERA, 67 K, 1.28 WHIP

Cook had a career year in 2008, but his overall numbers at the break are not those of a surefire All-Star. His 11 wins were nice, but were more a product of great run support based on his ERA than his low strikeout total and WHIP.

6 and 5. Tom Gordon—2004 and Mike Stanton—2001

Manager: Joe Torre
Numbers at the break (Gordon): 2-3, 1.78 ERA, 48 K, 0.82 WHIP
Numbers at the break (Stanton): 6-2, 1.89 ERA, 50 K, 1.30 WHIP

There is no debating that both Gordon and Stanton were having fantastic seasons when they got the nod. What is debatable is the fact that, since 2000, only 12 middle relievers have made an All-Star roster, and Joe Torre is responsible for having picked two of the 12 from his own club.

4. Mark Buehrle—2006

Manager: Ozzie Guillen
Numbers at the break: 9-6, 4.02 ERA, 54 K, 1.31 WHIP

In 2006, the Chicago White Sox had six All-Stars (Jose Contreras, Bobby Jenks, Paul Konerko, Jim Thome, Jermaine Dye, and A.J. Pierzynski) who each undeniably deserved his inclusion on the roster. Then there was Mark Buehrle.

3. Damian Miller—2002

Manager: Bob Brenly
Numbers at the break: .263, 33 R, 9 HR, 36 RBI, 0 SB

It can be difficult to find productive catchers to represent their league in the All-Star Game, but Miller’s 2002 numbers were nothing more than average when his manager, Bob Brenly, included him on the 2002 squad.

2. Scott Rolen—2005

Manager: Tony La Russa
Numbers at the break: .257, 27 R, 5 HR, 26 RBI, 0 SB

Rolen had some fantastic seasons for the Cardinals in the mid-2000s, but 2005 was not one of them. The only logical explanation for why La Russa included Rolen was to pay homage for the huge role he played in leading the Cards to the title in 2004.

1. Jason Varitek—2008

Manager: Terry Francona
Numbers at the break: .218, 20 R, 7 R, 28 RBI, 0 SB

The ultimate head-scratcher. Francona’s selection of Varitek was downright laughable, and clearly an attempt from Francona to pay his respects to the Red Sox captain. Varitek’s paltry average and mediocre secondary statistics make him perhaps the worst All-Star of all time.

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