Deserving players don't get All-Star shot
Ever since the fans started voting, the All-Star Game has been a popularity contest.
Many times over the years the more deserving players were either reserves or left out altogether.
However this trend hit an all-time low this season with seven American League starters being either members of the Red Sox or Yankees.
Ho hum. It's just another example of what is wrong with baseball as a whole.
The small-market teams don't matter -- even when they are successful.
Just look at Tampa Bay, which has the best record in all of baseball, yet just two Rays were named to the all-star team.
How in the world is Tampa's rookie third baseman Evan Longoria not an all-star? And how is Boston's Jason Varitek considered an all-star reserve with his .215 batting average?
The junior circuit is not the only league with the same problem. Look at the Chicago Cubs on the National League squad. Kosuke Fukudome a starting outfielder?
The Japanese import has done a nice job, but he hasn't had the impact that the likes of Pat Burrell (Phillies) or several others have.
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
-STEVE NAVAROLI
