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From: dpb@philabs.UUCP (Paul Benjamin)
Newsgroups: net.sport.baseball
Subject: Re: All-Star voting: total BS!
Message-ID: <357@philabs.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 21-Jun-85 09:51:01 EDT
Article-I.D.: philabs.357
Posted: Fri Jun 21 09:51:01 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 23-Jun-85 15:04:40 EDT
References: <2755@decwrl.UUCP>
Organization: Philips Labs, Briarcliff Manor, NY
Lines: 24

> Having the fans vote for the All-Star team is absurd!!!  
> I mean, hell, the last I heard Rich Gedman was running LAST among AL 
> catchers!   That is absurd - he's in the top 10 in the league in batting 
> average, has 5 homers and 30 RBIs, has been throwing out runners 
                         ...
> The All-Star teams should be elected by the players, so we have All-Star
> teams consisting of the best baseball players rather than the most
> popular.
> 
> Mike Ryan
> ARPA:	ryan%fremen.DEC@DECWRL.ARPA
> UUCP:	{decvax,allegra,ihnp4,ucbvax,...}!decwrl!dec-rhea!dec-fremen!ryan

Needless to say, this argument applies to many fine players on many teams.
Speaking of catchers, how about Tony Pena of Pittsburgh? Playing in a
weak line-up, his offensive stats aren't up to his par (he normally heats
up when the weather does, anyway.) But his defense is amazing. Even in
years when his offense has been great, he doesn't come close to election
to the All-Star team.

This whole argument seems academic. Ueberroth wants to make the whole
game of baseball more of a fans' game (which in general appeals greatly), 
but won't return the voting for the All-Star game to the players & 
coaches, where it belongs. They alone really KNOW who is good.