Replies

I know what you're saying about Graves and Nen. It wouldn't be an outrage if either of them were left off the roster. However, they still are having pretty good years, and, based on their careers, I give them the edge over Odalis "Fort Worth" Perez and Mike Williams, for example. Also, Graves is my lone Reds' rep. Elmer "Fudd" Dessens or Adam "12" Dunn would be just as qualified as Graves for this season, but again, Graves has the slight edge based on career value.

Career value has slightly more validity for picking the Hall of Fame than the All-Star Game, which by implication is a recognition of the here and now. (How many times have you seen players picked on career value despite incumbent seasons even worse than Graves is having?) Mike Williams is a way worthier All-Star pick than Danny Graves, even if he's slightly short of Gagne, Kim and Hoffman. So would be Adam Dunn and Elmer Dessens.

I agree with you on Glavine. He's my All-Star game starter, the Cy Young leader, and a realistic Hall of Famer.

He's a realistic Hall of Famer - he's a no questions asked Hall of Famer - and will likely finish in the top Cy Young voting. I'm not so sure he's quite earned the All-Star start, not with the year Schilling is putting up, but he belongs on the team and in the game. Ishii, Maddux and the Unit also belong on the team, though I'd give the edge to Ishii based on the season's cumulative performance. (Reality check: rookies make All-Star teams ahead of even high career value veterans, and Ishii has more than earned the honour this year.)

Roger Clemens isn't having a bad year, but methinks Derek Lowe has earned the top slot for the All-Star team this year and should get the game start.

I can't go purely by the current season, because then you never consider the second halves of seasons, which are just as important (if not more so) than first halves. Think about it. A guys gets off to a hot start, it's the only year he's ever done anything, he gets named to the All-Star team, but then tails off in the second half, and in later years you wonder how this guy ever made an All-Star team. It happens. Just read the rosters of All-Star teams past. Conversely, sometimes a guy gets of to a so-so start, then really cranks it up in the second-half and ends up doing well in the MVP or Cy Young race, even though he didn't make the All-Star team. I've seen that happen many times. So I give the edge to consistently good performers, guys you know who are going be there at the end of the year.

I think you have to at least consider the previous season (if not career value) in making close decisions on All-Star selections.