# Let's Complain About the All-Star Game Selections **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 3, 2001, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-complain-about-the-all-star-game-selections/71054 "2001-07-03T05:08:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Friday](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dec6dc/32.png) [@Friday](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Friday)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2001, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-complain-about-the-all-star-game-selections/71054/41 "2001-07-05T14:27:15Z")
Ah, yes… he is an average shortstop because he pales in comparison to _Honus Wagner!!!_ Is there only one above average shortstop in MLB history. Ripken was a power hitting _shortstop_. Not just a power hitter. You mention Fisk, so I think I see your problem with Ripken. You value high peaks of performance over steady above-average performance over a long career. Ripken will make the HOF regardless of the streak. A shortstop with 400 HRs and 3000 hits not in the HOF? Think about it (without your prejudices). ---
**Author:** ![Flymaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c4cdca/32.png) [@Flymaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flymaster)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2001, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-complain-about-the-all-star-game-selections/71054/42 "2001-07-05T14:54:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Friday \* > \*\*You mention Fisk, so I think I see your problem with Ripken. You value high peaks of performance over steady above-average performance over a long career. Ripken will make the HOF regardless of the streak. A shortstop with 400 HRs and 3000 hits not in the HOF? Think about it (without your prejudices). \*\* Both are notable (exceptional) achievements. However, in order to reach those milestones, he forced himself to become a liability to his team for the final 4 or 5 years of his career, insisting on playing out of a selfish pursuit for the record. Had Ripken had the humility to ADMIT that he was washed up 4 years ago, and retired, I’d expect to see him in the HOF. Running out the clock at the end to reach a meaningless milestone at the expense of your team, however, is not HOF-worthy. ---
**Author:** ![johnson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@johnson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnson)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2001, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-complain-about-the-all-star-game-selections/71054/43 "2001-07-05T15:19:54Z")
[liberal editing for emphasis] > [@](#): > > Compare this to a true HOF shortstop, Honus Wagner. A career .327 hitter, he had a sub .283 season exactly 3 times in a similar 21 seasons…but remember that this was an era with poorer gloves, equipment, and infields, where bad bounces could be expected. [/liberal editing] Hmmmm… ---
**Author:** ![drm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e57/32.png) [@drm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drm)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2001, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-complain-about-the-all-star-game-selections/71054/44 "2001-07-05T17:45:49Z")
I pretty much figured you weren’t serious. (I’m not a commie either by the way, I’m a Canadian which means I’m a socialist, but again, another thread). The reason why the voting get’s me so up in arms is exactly because I truely do love baseball. I love to see the best players playing. I am not entirely sure how players get to play for the ProBowl in the NFL (by that I mean, I don’t know who votes), but I’m pretty sure it’s not the fans who vote for that? ---
**Author:** ![Scotticher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Scotticher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scotticher)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2001, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-complain-about-the-all-star-game-selections/71054/45 "2001-07-05T18:20:23Z")
I have no problem with the selections for this years All Star Game. Of course, I am totally devoted to the Mariners, so… Go figure. Scotti (Happy Camper:) ) ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2001, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-complain-about-the-all-star-game-selections/71054/46 "2001-07-05T18:56:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by spooje \* > \*\*I am _not_ tired of whining about people who whine about poor all-star selections. Truth be told, I rather enjoy it.😃 \*\* Well, that’s good to hear. ---
**Author:** ![Friday](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dec6dc/32.png) [@Friday](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Friday)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2001, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-complain-about-the-all-star-game-selections/71054/47 "2001-07-05T19:18:38Z")
If you take away the years that he has played 3rd base (1997-2001), he still has 350 HRs and 2500 hits. And he had the streak broken already (he broke that in 1995), so he was not pursuing that anymore. So he played a little longer than he should. Maybe the guy likes playing baseball. ---
**Author:** ![Friday](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dec6dc/32.png) [@Friday](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Friday)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2001, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-complain-about-the-all-star-game-selections/71054/48 "2001-07-05T19:31:14Z")
Don’t you think MLB enjoys all the discussions resulting from the selections. They get people talking about it, opening threads, etc. Now, as long as the picks aren’t too controversial, a la David Bell, then they probably get a kick out of the publicity. BTW, I believe the NFL all-stars are chosen by the players. This does not generate any interest with the fans. I say let the fans vote. ---
**Author:** ![Crunchy\_Frog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ebca7d/32.png) [@Crunchy\_Frog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crunchy_Frog)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2001, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-complain-about-the-all-star-game-selections/71054/49 "2001-07-05T22:29:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Friday \* > \*\*While Ripken has been awful lately, he revolutionized the idea that a big power hitter can play shortstop. \*\* I just wanted to nitpick this comment and say: Ernie Banks 512 homeruns True, Banks played more games at 1st base in his career than at shortstop, but he only left the shortstop position in 1962 after leg injuries cut down his range. But playing _as a shortstop_ from 1955-1960, Banks hit 248 homeruns - more than anyone else in the Major Leagues over that time period, including Mickey Mantle, Hank Aaron, and Willie Mays. ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2001, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-complain-about-the-all-star-game-selections/71054/50 "2001-07-05T22:56:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Friday \* > \*\*Don’t you think MLB enjoys all the discussions resulting from the selections. They get people talking about it, opening threads, etc. Now, as long as the picks aren’t too controversial, a la David Bell, then they probably get a kick out of the publicity. > \*\* True. But they sure came close to David Bell’s election, didn’t they? ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2001, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-complain-about-the-all-star-game-selections/71054/51 "2001-07-05T23:02:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Friday \* > \*\*Don’t you think MLB enjoys all the discussions resulting from the selections. They get people talking about it, opening threads, etc. Now, as long as the picks aren’t too controversial, a la David Bell, then they probably get a kick out of the publicity. > \*\* True. But they sure came close to David Bell’s election, didn’t they? (Going to try to post this again, because it didn’t appear to do so the first time I tried. I add this note in case a double post occurs) ---
**Author:** ![Friday](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dec6dc/32.png) [@Friday](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Friday)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2001, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-complain-about-the-all-star-game-selections/71054/52 "2001-07-06T13:00:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Crunchy Frog \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by Friday \* > > \*\*While Ripken has been awful lately, he revolutionized the idea that a big power hitter can play shortstop. \*\* > > I just wanted to nitpick this comment and say: > > Ernie Banks > > 512 homeruns > > True, Banks played more games at 1st base in his career than at shortstop, but he only left the shortstop position in 1962 after leg injuries cut down his range. But playing _as a shortstop_ from 1955-1960, Banks hit 248 homeruns - more than anyone else in the Major Leagues over that time period, including Mickey Mantle, Hank Aaron, and Willie Mays. \*\* Saw this in this mornings paper: > [@](#): > > Alex Rodriguez has 214 career homers, third among shortstops behind Cal Ripken Jr. (344) and Ernie Banks (277). Part of revolutionizing is having followers. For some reason, Banks did not. Don’t know why. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2001, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-complain-about-the-all-star-game-selections/71054/53 "2001-07-07T22:20:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Spiritus Mundi \* > **Larry Walker > I hate the Rockies, but he deserves to start. On the other hand, who do you leave out? I gotta say Sosa, though he’s having a fine year, too. Walker is a more complete player and puts up numbers away from Coors Little League Field, too.** Have you actually looked at Walker’s numbers away from Coor’s Field. BA .286 SLG .557 OBP .409 OPS .966 RBI 31 HR 12 Sosa’s road numbers BA .309 SLG .679 OBP .445 OPS 1.124 RBI 45 HR 15 Sosa has had more road games (46) than Walker (38) so RBI and HR are slightly skewed to Sosa’s advantage. Also for some weird reason, Sammy actually plays better on the road. However, his poorer home statistics are still better than Walker’s road statistics. The fact that Walker plays half his games in Coor’s Field makes him look like a **much** better player than he actually is. Don’t get me started on Todd Helton. ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2001, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-complain-about-the-all-star-game-selections/71054/54 "2001-07-08T00:04:40Z")
Mariano Rivera is going to skip the All-Star game for an injury (how serious it actually is, I can only speculate) and Seattle’s Jeff Nelson was added. I think that is nice to see. Nelson is a terrific reliever – his absence from the Yankees is why they’ve been so eager to trade lately. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2001, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-complain-about-the-all-star-game-selections/71054/55 "2001-07-08T10:31:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Snooooopy \* > \*\*Nelson is a terrific reliever – \*\* 'Cept when he’e plunking my boy Lo Duca in the face. Did you see that play? Lo Duca takes one in the face, his cheek and eye swell up, and he stays in the game _and tries to steal a base_. One tough sumbitch! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-complain-about-the-all-star-game-selections/71054.md?page=2)