jcg@cbosgd.UUCP (Jim Grams) (07/12/85)
Well, to follow David's example, here is the hypothetical AL all-star
team the net fans voted for. I received 9 ballots, which surprised
me a little. I would have expected more readers of this group to want
to get in their 2 cents worth. Has readership dropped off?
American League All-Star Team
p Steib, Toronto
p Guidry, New York
p Boyd, Boston
(p Hernandez, Detroit)
c Parrish, Detroit
1b Murray, Baltimore
2b Whitaker, Detroit
3b Brett, Kansas City
ss Ripken Jr., Baltimore
lf Bradley, Seattle
cf Henderson, New York
rf Gibson, Detroit
(of Winfield, New York)
Voting Details: (Stats as of 7/5/85)
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p Steib, Toronto 7 8-5, 1.94, 130 I, 87 K
p Boyd, Boston 4 9-7, 3.20, 138 I, 87 K
p Guidry, New York 4 10-3, 2.73, 129 I, 68 K
p Hernandez, Detroit 4 4-4, 1.98, 59 I, 42 K
p James, Chicago 2 3-2, 1.86, 53 I, 48 K
p Morris, Detroit 2 9-6, 3.23, 142 I, 100 K
p Haas, Milwaukee 1 7-4, 2.71, 96 I, 45 K
p Howell, Oakland 1 8-3, 1.85, 50 I, 37 K
p Moore, California 1 5-3, 1.43, 50 I, 37 K
p Petry, Detroit 1 10-6, 3.02, 134 I, 58 K
Steib is a excelent concensus choice; it appears that Toronto's early success
is winning him fans, finally. The three-way tie for second forced me to
name Guidry and Boyd as the next two "starters", with Willie as a 4th
pitcher. Boyd won votes early before his stats took a dive in some recent
outings, and Guidry came on strong in the late ballots, reflecting his
strong performances of late. The American League seems blessed this season
with a group of tough relievers, and this is reflected in the appearance of
five relievers in the vote tallys. I was surprised Blyleven didn't get a
vote, as he has been pitching very tough lately and leads the league in
shutouts with 4. Overall, though, the net-fans seem to want a couple good
starters on the staff and then have Sparky bring on the firemen.
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c Parrish, Detroit 5 .273, 11 HR, 50 BI
c Fisk, Chicago 3 .234, 18 HR, 43 BI
c Gedman, Boston 1 .287, 5 HR, 33 BI
This was closer than might have been expected, and reflects an interesting
leaning toward average over power, although Parrish is no wet noodle. Fisk
really is belting them this year, but the net voters seemed to prefer the
defense of Parrish and his better RBI production. The votes out of
Chicago, however, were as passionate as any I received. Sparky
should no doubt plan to put Carlton in the game in the late innings,
especially if a few "instant runs" are needed.
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1b Murray, Baltimore 5 .279, 12 HR, 52 BI
1b Mattingly, New York 3 .303, 8 HR, 57 BI
1b Cooper, Milwaukee 1 .310, 4 HR, 47 BI
Eddie Murray gets the nod over the young Mattingly, but really deserves
the spot. His defense around the bag is excellent for a big man and
hits with more power. Still, last year's hitting phenom, from the Yanks,
will be on the team and see some action. Cooper, one of the American League's
best hitters continues to languish in obscurity. Boston's Bill Buckner, a
former NL star, will have to do better than his current .293/8/43 production
if he is to win many votes in this league.
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2b Whitaker, Detroit 9 .299, 13 HR, 38 BI
The only possible choice, really. Lou's average has slumped recently, but
he still provides much of Detroit's steam. His bloop single off a very
tough Seaver (no votes for the next 300 game winner!) provided the Tiges
with a 1-0 victory the other night, and typifies his contributions. Good
power, especially off the first pitch. Sparky will probably stay with him
for nine innings.
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3b Brett, Kansas City 6 .344, 10 HR, 50 BI
3b Boggs, Boston 2 .334, 2 HR, 32 BI
3b Molitor, Milwaukee 1 .318, 7 HR, 30 BI
No shortage of deserving third-baggers in the AL (unlike the pathetic
choices our NL rivals faced) but Brett (although he personally gives me
a pain) is a clear choice. He is having a super year and I expect him to
win the batting title easily his year as soon as Rickey the Rocket returns
to planet Earth. Nevertheless, both Boggs and Molitor can do the job, though
I'll bet Molitor makes it, because of the "one player from each team" rule.
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ss Ripken Jr., Baltimore 6 .281, 12 HR, 52 BI
ss Fernandez, Toronto 1 .290, 2 HR, 28 BI
ss Griffin, Oakland 1 .280, 2 HR, 41 BI
ss Trammell, Detroit 1 .280, 7 HR, 27 BI
This one sort of surprised me. Ripken is deserving, of course, as he is
really having the best year of all choices, but I expected a closer vote.
Trammell had a poor start but is moving up fast now, and Griffin is making
an excellent contribution on the West Coast. In all though, those homers
coming out of the shortstop position ("arret-court" in Montreal) are a
real plus. No team in baseball wouldn't love to have Cal Jr.
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of Henderson, New York 8 .360, 11 HR, 35 BI
of Bradley, Seattle 4 .320, 11 HR, 42 BI
of Gibson, Detroit 4 .282, 17 HR, 52 BI
of Winfield, New York 4 .286, 9 HR, 46 BI
of Brunansky, Minnasota 2 .278, 18 HR, 53 BI
of Davis, Oakland 2 .305, 14 HR, 44 BI
of Rice, Boston 2 .282, 16 HR, 53 BI
of Kingman, Oakland 1 .242, 20 HR, 51 BI
Well, Rickey is a clear choice, and as hot as he has been since coming
back from an early season injury, he certainly deserves to start. Seattle's
Bradley and Detroit's Gibson fill the other two spots, with Winfield as
a sub. Bradley and Gibson are having excellent years (for them) while we
know Winfield can play better. Thus, although the votes came in tied,
we'll have Sparky start with the Yankee star on the bench. Purely subjective,
of course. Brunansky, Davis and Rice deserve to make the team, too. I
was surprised not to see a vote or two for Toronto's George Bell, who has
really started to bash the ball recently, or Chicago's Greg Walker. But,
with outfielders, there always seem to be too many to chose from.
------
It is somewhat interesting to note that the actual AL lineup for Tuesday's
Classic duplicates the net-fans choice in the infield. Only in the outfield,
where Jimmy Rice's past performances plus a decent enough year so far won
him a starting position is a difference seen. If you assume that the
net-voters are capable of voting in a true "best" all-star team, then
the NL may have their hands full.
Discussion welcome. What fun.
Jim Grams
cbosgd!jcg