Pirates Get Snubbed for All-Star Game

.post-gazette.com

It is fitting that the 82nd MLB All-Star Game is being played at ChasevcField, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, because a handful of deserving Pirates got snake-bitten. The venom of playing for a historically horrible team and small baseball market has poisoned Andrew McCutchen's, Neil Walker's, & Kevin Correia's chances of national exposure.

Lost in the city's shared anger & frustration over the 'Jagr Situation', this weekend saw Major League Baseball announce whom was selected to play in the Midsummer Classic. The Pittsburgh Pirates lone representative this year will be closer Joel Hanrahan, the National League leader in saves (25) who also sports a mind-blowing 0.97 WHIP (walks hits innings pitched). No one sane will argue against Joel's selection, but guys like 'Cutch, Walker, & Correia should have gotten in too. Hanrahan thinks so,". . . have one of the most exciting players in the game, I think, out there in center field. Andrew McCutchen is definitely deserving, Correia is up there leading the league in wins. . . Neil Walker is leading the league in RBIs for second basemen. It's a good sign for us (Laura Myers, Pirates.com)".

Even with his 55 RBI, Neil Walker probably wasn't going to get in based on strong seasons by Ricki Weeks (15 homers, .277 average) & Brandon Phillips (45 RBI, .292 average). I can let that slide. However, how can a guy tie or wins in the majors not be an All-Star? Kevin Correia is 11-6 with a 3.74 ERA & 57 strikeouts. He is a monster on the road with a Major League leading nine wins away from home. Andrew McCutchen is having an breakout season both offensively & defensively. He is third amongst NL center-fielders in all three Triple Crown categories & a young gun who should be showcased.

The problem here is the same problem the All-Star Game as had for years; its a damn popularity contest. Superstar guys like Tim Lincecum & Carlos Beltran who are having uncharacteristically off years will get in based on fan voting because of name power alone. Some will be voted in because of larger fan-bases. While it is easy to criticize this, one should know the sword cuts both ways. When Pittsburgh hosted the All-Star Game in 2006, Freddy Sanchez sneaked in & he was not most deserving guy at the time.

The All-Star Game is for the fans. Bud Selig has beaten that into our heads for years. The rosters are for the fans to decide, but some times the fans don't know jack. This is one of those times. They select the players they want to see instead of players who are worthy. Hell, Kevin & Andrew aren't even among the five finalists for the Final Spot voting contest. That is upsetting, because these guys should be playing in Phoenix.



Written by, Andrew Brown