We know that Adrian Gonzalez, David Ortiz, Josh Beckett and Jacoby Ellsbury will all make the trip, but there are still many questions about the game.
Let’s get to them.
Jacoby Ellsbury was voted an All-Star by the players. Does this mean more to him?
–Sandy, Cotuit, Mass.
I think it does. I think the fact that he is going is what really matters to him. Last year was an extremely tough time for him, playing in only 18 games and coming under scrutiny by the fans as to how tough he is. I think he had a lot of determination to prove many wrong and prove that he is an All-Star caliber player. The fan vote is a popularity contest, and I think it works. The player vote is pretty special because it is the sign of great respect from your peers. I think in any profession that would be very special.
Should the All-Star Game count as it does currently?
–Antoine, Stowe, Vt.
I do not think it should. I get why they have added the “This one counts” angle to this game but I really think that with such a large sample size of games between the American League and the National League as part of interleague play, then the overall league with the best record after the season against each other should get home-field advantage in the World Series. Terry Francona talks about his 15-inning game the last time he managed and how hard it is to get guys in when you may need them later and how you do not want to get anybody hurt going longer than they should. It is very hard to manage what should be an exhibition as a game that may impact the World Series. I just think there are other more fair ways to determine home field.
Jonathan Papelbon has appeared to fly under the radar this year. What has he been doing to be this good this year?
–Brent, Bradenton, Fla.
I think using more of his pitches. It gives the hitter something to think about more than just his fastball. It seemed last year, he relied heavily on the one pitch and guys would sit on it or foul it off or walk, all of which required a lot of pitches to get through the ninth. Plus, the longer he went away from his secondary pitches, the harder it was to get the feel for them when he tried to go back to them.
From spring training on this year, he has mixed his pitches consistently and thrown some of his secondary pitches in fastball counts. His slider, which was not good in the past, is a pitch which is now most-improved, and he throws it with conviction. His splitter, when right, is really one of the best and falls off the table. One blown save on the year as we approach the All-Star break is very good.
Who got snubbed in your estimation?
Frank, Lawrence, Mass.
The one that jumps out to me is Daniel Bard. I think the middle relief or set-up guys gets snubbed every year. I remember Mike Timlin some years back having a great season and getting snubbed. The issue is you can only take so many pitchers. You have many starters and many closers and the guys in between get left off. If you think about it, there are many starters and closers who have already been snubbed even before you start talking about middle relievers or set-up guys. CC Sabathia jumps out at me as an obvious snub. Any time every team needs to be represented, which they do, there will be guys left off because there is no room.
Will Ron Washington take more Rangers if there are injuries to players already chosen?
–Kerry, Los Angeles
I don’t think so. I think the chance to do that as the manager has really changed over the year. The selection process is really different. Terry Francona, in his two years at the helm, had very few choices, if any, and most of them were determined by Major League Baseball, which needed to have every team represented and had a list of standbys already in place should there be an injury. So I would be surprised to see an opening now and have the manager get one of his guys into the game without the due process.
