2011 MLB All Star Rosters: Was CC Sabathia the Biggest All-Star Snub?

Just a little while ago, the rosters for the 2011 MLB All-Star Game were announced.  In a shocking move, American League manager Ron Washington snubbed New York Yankees ace CC Sabathia in favor of his own starter, C.J. Wilson. 

As a Yankees fan, I am not ashamed to say that this is an outrage.

Clearly, this is Washington's way of adding insult to injury.  His Texas Rangers already defeated the Yankees in the 2010 ALCS last year, so does he really have to turn the knife and throw his inferior starter on the roster when the Yankees' big lefty is on his way to having a career year? 

Let's take a look at the numbers.

Currently, C.J. Wilson is 8-3 with a 3.14 ERA.  He has struck out 100 batters in 117.2 innings and has a respectable 1.23 WHIP. 

Yet, Wilson is not exactly what one would call a dominant staff ace.  He might have that role on the Rangers but is no more than a No. 2 or No. 3 starter on any other team.

His 8-3 record has come over the course of 17 starts and according to ESPN, he is projected to finish the season with a record of 15-6 if his current pitching trend continues.

Now let's take a look at Sabathia's numbers. 

He is 11-4 with a 3.05 ERA and has just been dominant as of late.  He has gone at least seven innings in eight of his last nine starts, going 8-1 over that stretch.  His WHIP is slightly better than Wilson's, sitting at 1.21.  He is on pace to finish the season at 22-8, matching a new career high in wins.

Also, and I hate to sound like a homer, Sabathia just plays on a better team than Wilson.  He is a bigger draw than the lanky left-hander and had the Rangers not made the World Series last season, this debate wouldn't even be happening right now.

There is a slight chance that CC Sabathia could still make the All-Star team.  Any pitchers who pitch the Sunday before the game are automatically disqualified.  His manager, Joe Girardi, could opt to skip his turn in the rotation so that he may play at Chase Field on July 12.

As a fan, I hope Girardi chooses to do that.  Sabathia's season is just too good for him not to be recognized as an All-Star, and it is simply ridiculous that C.J. Wilson should get a trip to Phoenix over him.

Had the Texas Rangers actually won the 2010 World Series, I would understand Wilson's selection.  He was instrumental in leading the Rangers to the Fall Classic.  In the Series itself, he went 0-1 with a 3.00 ERA, only starting Game 2.

Given Sabathia's postseason resume, particularly in 2009, there is no reason he should not be a part of the AL squad. 

Clearly, this is one of the biggest snubs in All-Star history, and if you ask me, Sabathia is far more deserving of a pitcher who has had one good season, let alone his only one as a starter up until this season.