(New York Daily Mirror – July 28, 2009)
HONOLULU – “Good pitching will always stop good hitting and vice-versa”.
Those words of wisdom were uttered by none other than the legendary Charles Dillon Stengel in the 1950s, when asked to explain the secret to the success of his New York Yankees, who had just completed a remarkable run of five consecutive World Series titles.
What Casey meant by his cryptic statement (if indeed he meant anything at all; Casey was notorious for his wicked sense of humor and loved to taunt the press) will never be known. Suffice to say that baseball is replete with contradictions and instances of unexplained occurrences that defy reason.
Since its reintroduction in 2005, the NASBL All-Star Game has produced some interesting and unexplained results. Despite fielding several powerhouse teams over the past four years, Tastes Great has only managed to win once, a 7-3 decision in the inaugural game. Since then, Less Filling, with inferior talent (at least on paper) has not only managed to win three straight Midsummer Classics, they have done so in decisive fashion, trouncing Tastes Great by a collective score of 25-2. LF’s successes have confounded the oddsmakers and sports pundits who deem themselves experts in the art of prognostication.
Tastes Great fans, who have tasted the bitter gall of defeat for three straight years now, are understandably anxious to achieve victory and “put the universe back in order” as one sports publication in Lake Champlain has put it. TG fans decided to take a page from President Obama’s playbook and institute “change” they want to believe in. In so doing, TG fans dismissed most of the old TG All-Star guard and voted new talent to the contest in the hopes that the hex will finally be broken. LF fans, as always supporting the underdogs, are looking for their fourth straight victory and continued bragging rights.
With that being said, the Mirror presents its annual preview of the NASBL All-Star Game, to be played once again this year at Pietruszka Park in balmy Honolulu, Hawaii, home of the TG East-leading Hawaiians, who at 66-37 have the best record in the NASBL.
TASTES GREAT
Tastes Great has not been as powerful in 2009 as it’s been in past seasons. Whether this is just a fluke or whether it is the result of a diminution in pharmaceutical aid in baseball is open to debate. In past seasons, most if not all of the TG teams were over .500 at the All-Star break. Not so this year; the TG South has two of the worst teams in the league this season, the 37-68 Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs and the 29-78 Georgia Roadkill. The TG East remains strong, with only Illinois under .500 at 51-53. Conversely, the Less Filling Central, usually a dark and dangerous baseball tenement (to borrow an expression by the late Dick Young when describing the 1973 National League East), has improved, although true to form, only Vermont is over .500 there.
Hawaiians fans fortunate enough to attend the game will have ample opportunity to root for their hometown heroes, as the Hawaiians placed five players on the TG squad, although unlike last year’s game, none will be starting. On the other hand, lowly Georgia has two starters on the team and a third in reserve. Fans are fickle.
Lake Champlain’s David Ortiz, a fixture at 1B for three All-Star games, was booted out by TG voters, the first of several targets for TG fans’ ire. TG fans may still be upset that Ortiz failed to deliver on his guarantee of a TG win prior to last year’s contest. In his place will be New Jersey’s Joey Votto, whose 18 homers, 81 RBI and .309 batting average have contributed greatly to the Trash Heap’s return to prominence in 2009. Backing up Votto will be fellow All-Star freshman Adrian Gonzalez from Outlaw. Gonzalez’ slick glove and hitting skills (17 homers, 63 RBI, .299 BA ) ensures that TG is well-represented at first.
In 2008, TG fans sent a pair of 2B newbies to the All-Star contest, Honolulu’s Placido Polanco and Lehigh Valley’s Chase Utley, but did not send them back this season. In their places are another set of All-Star freshmen. New Jersey’s Ian Kinsler will start at second for TG. Kinsler’s numbers are startling for a second baseman – a .988 OPS to go along with a .342 batting average and 36 doubles. Outlaw’s Dustin Pedroia (10 homers, 47 RBI, .291), a scrappy youngster with great speed and glove to match, will be Kinsler’s backup.
Lehigh Valley may be having a brutal season (and we in New York know all about brutal seasons), but someone forgot to tell Iron Pigs shortstop Jose Reyes. Reyes (an LF All-Star for the LF’s Surf last year) is known for his powerful bat and great basepath speed (43 steals in 52 attempts). He will be manning short for TG and carries impressive numbers (10 homers, 44 RBI, a .313 batting average and .895 OPS) into the fray. In reserve, TG will have Illinois’ Hanley Ramirez, who was the TG starter at shortstop in 2008. Ramirez’ numbers have been down a bit this year (5 homer, 18 RBI, .260 BA) compared to past seasons but he still brings a presence to the game.
At third, the ageless Cannibal Larry “Chipper” Jones will start for TG for the second consecutive year. Larry carries a stunning .375 batting average to the contest, although his power numbers are down from years past – just 12 homers, 15 doubles and 66 RBI. Backing up Chipper for the second consecutive year is New Jersey’s Alex Rodriguez (17 homers, 68 RBI, .263 average), who, we hope, will be smart enough to leave the “Boli” at home or at least in girlfriend Kate Hudson’s purse.
Prior to the 2008 game, Lake Champlain fans stuffed ballot boxes and flooded internet sites to ensure that Cannibal backstop Brian McCann would get the starting nod over New Jersey’s Yorvit Torrealba, who had superior numbers to McCann’s. Apparently, Lake Champlainers (Champlainites?) have done it again, as McCann once again will be behind the dish for TG at first pitch. McCann’s numbers are not All-Star quality (9 homers, 31 RBI, .262 average) but apparently they love him in Lake Champlain. McCann beat out his backup, Honolulu’s Yadier Molina by over 80,000 votes despite Molina’s superior stats (7 homers, 42 RBI, .304 average).
After a one-year absence, Outlaw’s Manny Ramirez will once again start in left field for TG. Manny’s just being Manny so far this season for the Wales, having accomplished nearly an entire season’s work at just the halfway mark. Manny’s 27 homers, 78 RBI, .323 average and 1.020 OPS would be the envy of many players after 162 games. Backing up Manny is last year’s starter in left, Honolulu’s Pat Burrell, who in just 88 games has racked up 26 homers and 77 RBI to go with a .264 average and .948 OPS.
Last year’s centerfield tandem of Illinois’ Carlos Beltran and Lehigh Valley’s Carl Crawford have been banished in favor of two newcomers. Georgia’s relatively unknown Nate McLouth (22 homers, 63 RBI, .303 BA) will get the start in center for TG. McClouth will be more than ably backed up by Lake Champlain’s Curtis Granderson, who brings a lethal .347 bat to the contest, to go along with 19 homers and 58 RBI.
How deep is Georgia’s lineup and how good is their talent evaluation? Consider that in the 2008 game, both right fielders (Vladimir Guerrero and Magglio Ordonez) were Roadkillers. This season, TG fans returned neither to the game, but instead elected yet another pair of Roadkillers to the two slots. Very impressive. Taking over as the starting right fielder for TG this year is Georgia newbie Alex Rios, who hit .313 with 15 homers and 66 RBI for the Roadkill this season. Backing him up is fellow first-timer Nick Markakis, whose numbers are very similar to Rios’ (13 homers, 51 RBI, .308 average), ensuring little if any dropoff in talent. (As an aside, Vladimir Guerrero’s streak of four consecutive All-Star appearances is now history – just in time for his trade to the Knights.)
Starting for TG is someone who is not usually associated with elite status – Outlaw’s Ryan Dempster. Known more for being an oft-injured reliever, Dempster has had a solid season thus far for the Wales, going a league-leading 14-4 with a 3.36 ERA and a .207 average against. Backing up Dempster will be the ageless Hawaiian Mariano Rivera, who is simply having another routinely phenomenal season, going 3-1 with 30 saves and a 0.87 ERA. Following The Sandman will be New Jersey phenom Tim Lincecum, who has already posted 197 strikeouts this year, to go along with an impressive 13-6 record and 3.18 ERA.
Rounding out the TG pitching staff is an impressive array of pitching talent: Outlaw’s Rich Harden (10-3, 3.05, .189 average against), Joakim Soria (2-1, 1.14, 0.63 WHP) and Jake Peavy (9-3, 3.67); New Jersey’s Chad Billingsley (11-5, 2.97, 161 strikeouts) and future first-ballot NASBL and MLB Hall of Famer Randy “Big Unit” Johnson (11-7, 3.72); Honolulu’s underrated Roy Oswalt (13-4, 2.83) and Brandon Webb (12-5, 4.71); Illinois’ Roy Halladay (12-8, 3.32) and, returning to haunt the Knights fans once again, Joe Nathan (2-0, 0.85, 0.95 WHP). We would be remiss in our journalistic duty if we did not point out that Nathan has now been elected to the All-Star game five consecutive times since he was traded from the Knights for the infamous Barry Zit-0 and 23. Some sins you never stop paying for.
LESS FILLING
To a man, LF’ers will deny that they have fielded superior teams to TG in the last three All-Star games; rather, they will attribute the league’s three-game All-Star winning streak to other things – luck, the weather, clean living, the ascension of Barack Obama and what not. But the truth is, LF has done more with less, solidly whipping the superior (on paper) TG the last two Classics by the scores of 10-1 and 8-0. They’ve once again proven the truth of the old axiom that the whole really can be more than the sum of its parts.
The ’09 Less Filling All-Stars will not be facing as formidable a Tastes Great offense as it had been these past few years – no David Ortiz or Barry Bonds giving the LF hurlers fits. But just as TG’s lineup is powered down compared to past years’ All-Star games, LF’s is too. In fact, LF’s third base combo is the weakest the LF has ever seen. But as LF has proven, you never know.
Miami fans are sure to enjoy the game, as the Surf placed seven players on this year’s squad, four of whom will start the game. Despite experiencing a bad year (for them), the Chin Music nevertheless have two starters. The Knights have four representatives on the team, but no pitchers. Fans apparently remember the traveling horror show that was the Knights ’08 pitching staff and remain wary of sending any Knight pitcher to an All-Star game. As another reminder of the fickleness of the fans, no Spurs hitters made the team at all.
Many believe that Vermont’s Albert Pujols is the best player in MLB and in the NASBL. But for some reason, he hasn’t earned the love of LF voters. Last year, Pujols was snubbed for the starting role at 1B by Prince Fielder of Pocono. This year, while Pujols does return for his third consecutive All-Star game, he again will assume the backup role, this time playing second fiddle to Seattle’s Mark Teixeira. The Tex Man has had a marvelous season thus far for the Pilots, smashing 29 homers, driving in 88 runs and batting a robust .329. His OPS of 1.018 is second on the team. The OPS leader is, naturally, his backup, Mr. Pujols. Albert has been routinely brilliant thus far for the Sioux, batting .367 with 22 homers, 74 RBI and a 1.068 OPS. Perhaps Albert’s problem is that he’s too good – the LF fans already expect him to bat .360 every year and take his excellence for granted.
But that’s just about all the good hitting news for LF fans.
Starting at second for the second consecutive year is Brandon Phillips, this season representing Troy after wearing a Grundy County jersey to last year’s contest. Once again, however, Phillips’ numbers demonstrate the dire condition of infield offense in the LF. While TG’s starting second baseman, Ian Kinsler, is hitting .342, Phillips is batting a paltry .233 with just 8 homers and 36 RBI for Troy, and carries an unsightly OPS of .639. Phillips’ backup this season, veteran Ray Durham from Seattle, has actually had a better season statwise than Phillips – while his 6 homers and 31 RBI are not as good as Phillips’ numbers, he has a much higher OPS (.743) and has hit 32 doubles thus far in ’09.
Returning to the contest after a one year absence is Miami’s Derek Jeter, who will start at short for LF. Jeter’s numbers are pedestrian for him – just 9 homers, 40 RBI and a middling .271 batting average. His backup is the Knights captain Michael Young, who is having a mediocre year as well – just 5 homers, 50 RBI and a .258 BA.
The power shortage continues at third, where Miami’s David Wright, who was a backup to Mike Lowell in last year’s Game, was elected to the starting 3B spot despite just a .229 average and .686 OPS. His 10 homers and 48 RBI represent a huge dropoff from his ’08 numbers as a reserve (18 HR, 59 RBI, .316). Backing up Wright is All-Star newbie Kevin Kouzmanoff of the Pocono Chin Music. While Kooz’ numbers are somewhat better than Wright’s (16 homers, 47 RBI), his .242 average and .693 OPS will not instill fear in TG pitchers.
It is worth nothing that according to the Mirror’s stats department, the tandem of Wright and Kouzmanoff represents the first time since the reintroduction of the NASBL All-Star game in 2005 that both players at a given position are bringing OPS’ of under .700 to the contest. We’re just saying.
Starting behind the plate for LF will be veteran Bengie Molina from Pocono. Molina, who had a cup of coffee with the Knights in 2006, is batting .265 with 9 homers and 39 RBI for the Chin Music with a .700 OPS. Molina will be backed up by the tireless Jason Kendall of the Knights. Due to an administrative snafu in the Knights’ front office during the ’09 draft, the team failed to draft a backup catcher for the season, and since the Knights were unable to later trade for a catcher, the 34 year old Kendall has been compelled to play every day. His numbers show the toll on his aged body – a .234 average with zero homers and 38 RBI. His OPS of .588 is the lowest on either team this season and may very likely be the lowest OPS of any All-Star ever.
In short, LF fans should not look for a lot of offense from the infield this year.
The story is better in the outfield, but not by much.
Grundy County’s Matt Holliday, who was LF’s starting left fielder in 2008, returns for this year’s contest but as a backup to Miami’s Ryan Braun. Braun, making his first All-Star appearance, is having a mixed season thus far: while his 20 homers, 62 RBI and 25 doubles are more than respectable, his .242 batting average and .736 OPS are not, particularly for an All-Star starter. Holliday’s average and OPS (.292 and .821 respectively) are better but his other numbers (11 homers, 51 RBI, 18 doubles) are downright alarming for a slugger of Holliday’s pedigree and reputation.
In center, Pocono’s Torii Hunter, now a 4-time All-Star, will again start the game for LF. Hunter’s power numbers, like almost everyone else’s, are down from 2008, when he entered the contest with 24 homers and 78 RBI. This year, he has just 12 homers and 55 RBI, although he is still hitting a robust .308 and has a very good .845 OPS. Backing up Hunter will be New York’s Grady Sizemore, back after a one year hiatus in ’08. Sizemore, who had a bad season last year (as did the Knights in general), has rebounded in 2009, blasting 20 homers and batting .280 in the first half with a splendid .902 OPS. Endemic of the Knights feeble offense, however, Sizemore’s 20 homers and 25 doubles have netted him just 46 RBI
In right, Seattle’s slugging Jermaine Dye will make the start for LF. Dye is having an excellent year for the Pilots, batting .303 with 25 homers and 86 RBI. His two triples are a testament to his athleticism despite advancing age. Backing up Dye will be another Knight, Xavier Nady. Like his teammate Grady Sizemore, Nady has put up very good power numbers (24 homers, 28 doubles) but has only 55 RBI to show for it. Nady is batting .292 with an .881 OPS.
On the pitching side, the ball will be handed to Miami’s Derek Lowe, the second consecutive season an older pitcher will start the game for LF (John Smoltz started last year’s contest). He’s no kid, but Lowe has put up solid enough numbers for the Surf that would make many a young hurler jealous. Through 18 starts thus far, Lowe has posted an 11-3 record with a 1.80 ERA and a WHP of 1.03. His strikeout numbers are not high (just 90 in 155 innings) but power has never been Lowe’s game. Opponents are hitting just .220 off him thus far in 2009.
Lowe will be joined by another familiar figure from the Surf, closer Brian Fuentes. Fuentes has been almost unhittable in 2009 thus far, posting a 1.30 ERA and a microscopic 0.87 WHP to go along with 16 saves.
Vermont’s power arm, the dominant Ervin Santana, will also be in the LF hurlers’ stable. Santana’s 138 strikeouts lead the LF and his control (just 36 walks in 141 innings) is a big part of the Sioux’ success thus far in 2009. He will be joined by the Sioux’ closer, B.J. Ryan (2.06 ERA, .190 average against and 11 saves).
Rounding out the LF pitching staff are Miami’s Daisuke Matsuzaka (8-4, 3.39 ERA, .190 average against) and Ryan Madson (8-3, 3.38 ERA in 25 relief appearances); Dallas-Fort Worth’s Francisco Rodriguez (3.86 ERA, .226 average against, 18 saves) who joins Joe Nathan as a five-time All-Star; Dave Bush (10-5, 3.34 ERA) who started the ’07 game for LF and Armando Galarraga (7-4, 3.95 in 19 appearances, including 9 starts); Grundy County’s long relief specialist Joe Nelson (10-5, 3.57 ERA, .207 average against) and Odalis Perez (6-2, 2.24 ERA in 14 starts, with a sparkling .188 average against and 0.93 WHP); Seattle’s Cliff Lee (9-7, 3.65 ERA and 115 K’s in 20 starts).
Prediction:
This should be an interesting contest. TG, once again, has the offensive edge on LF, but the gap is not as great as in years past. LF has demonstrated that offensive firepower on paper can be meaningless between the white lines. The pitching staffs are roughly equal, although the presence of Mariano Rivera and Joe Nathan in the TG pen make for a formidable tandem in late game situations. The duo could easily shorten the game to a seven inning contest. Lowe holds a measureable advantage over Dempster as the starter.
We’ll go with the law of averages and bank on TG breaking their schneid.
Tastes Great 5, Less Filling 3.
