Monday, July 6, 1998
All Star game will bring past glory back to the diamond
COLUMN: Power-packed lineups should give sport a much-needed
boostBy Alvin Cadman
After major league baseball’s labor disputes of the past, the
boys of summer have a legitimate chance to bring back some, but not
all, of the fans they lost after their disgruntlement with owners
that led to the thievery of a World Series from the nation.
With the possibility of a couple of baseball’s hallowed records
in the midst of being shattered by the game’s best, along with
other important feats this year, this could replace 1930 as "The
Year of the Hitter." But don’t get me wrong. Pitchers have had
their days this year as well, and we’re only at the All-Star Break.
Denver will host a real gathering of baseball’s best, and hopefully
the festivities will not deter the focus on the game itself, which
has turned, in recent years, into a mockery.
The fans again made their choices of who they wanted as starters
in the 1998 All-Star game. Let’s take a look at the players, and
look back on the first half of the season.
The National League will have Mike Piazza of the Mets (I almost
said Dodgers before I caught myself) starting behind the plate. The
trade of this superstar has resurfaced the ongoing controversy of
the existence of loyal relationships between owners and
players.
No matter what, the Fox group will regret trading Piazza away
for peanuts – Bobby Bonilla, in his twilight and filling out that
ugly batting practice uniform nicely, Gary Sheffield, who thinks he
might get a title shot against Evander Holyfield instead of Lennox
Lewis, and Charles Johnson, who (as great of a defensive catcher he
is) might be overshadowed by his horrid offensive production, or
lack thereof.
St. Louis’ Mark "I am the Big Mac" McGwire, with 3.77 million
votes to lead the senior circuit, will start at first base. All
I’ve got to say is that the guy has more homers at the All-Star
Break than anyone else in history. Period.
Houston’s Craig Biggio will start at second base, bringing a
work ethic that every little leaguer should revel and awe at.
Atlanta’s Chipper Jones will hold down the fort at third base – not
only because of his Mickey Mantle look-alike status – but also for
his great start to the season, which has only been matched by
Colorado’s Vinny Castilla, a deserving addition to the 1998 NL
squad. Atlanta’s Walt Weiss, making his first All Star team, rounds
out the infield at shortstop. (He may, however, stay at home to be
with his 3-year-old son, who is fighting the E. coli virus acquired
while enjoying a summer day at a water theme park.)
San Diego’s Tony "Mr. Hit" Gwynn, San Francisco’s Barry "S.F.,
not U.S." Bonds and Colorado’s Larry "I need a …" Walker lead the
all-N.L. West outfield with impressive numbers. Gwynn looks like he
may again outlast all of his competitors by the end of the season
for the batting crown, while Bonds is leading a Giants squad that
is amazingly in the driver’s seat for the wild-card spot in the
playoffs. Walker, who has yet to match his impressive output of
last season, is on the disabled list.
But what about Sammy "I swing at everything" Sosa of the Cubs?
Second in home runs behind McGwire. Record for most home runs in a
month. Not very bad company if you ask me. NL skipper Jim Leyland
didn’t have to think twice before he penciled Sosa onto the
team.
Greg "Cy Young" Maddux of the Braves will start for the National
League, but maybe a more deserving candidate might have been
Chicago’s Kerry Wood, who tops the list of incoming young pitchers
who will make an impact that will be felt for years to come. He’s
worked miracles this season – he’s brought Chicago hope for a
bright future.
For the American League, Texas’ Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez will
again crouch behind the plate and not get a day off. He quietly has
put up MVP-type numbers and is now considered the best defensive
catcher in the game, after Charles Johnson’s collapse in Los
Angeles.
Jim Thome of Cleveland will start at first, and bring his
American League leading slugging percentage to the All-Star Game in
hopes of winning second place behind the onslaught of baseballs
that McGwire will hit to left field in the thin air of Coors Field
in the Home Run Derby on Monday afternoon.
Baltimore’s Roberto Alomar will start at second base for the
American League.
It is the opinion of this writer that after spitting at a major
league umpire during a game on national television, Alomar should
be left off of All Star teams for the rest of his career. There is
no place for that in major league baseball.
Cal "Iron Man" Ripken of the Orioles, simply by virtue of his
name, will start at third base, with not-so-hot numbers and 3.4
million votes, second to McGwire. A very impressive stat
indeed.
Seattle’s Ken Griffey, Jr., tops in All-Star balloting overall
with 4.2 million votes, Texas’ Juan Gonzalez and Cleveland’s Kenny
Lofton will patrol the American League outfield this year. "The
Kid" has, in my opinion, the only legitimate chance of catching
McGwire in the home run race.
"Gonzo" could break an even tougher record than New York Yankee
Roger Maris’ 1961 home run record of 61 home runs – Chicago Cub
Hack Wilson’s 1930 RBI record of 190. And Lofton is the fastest
baseball player in the game.
(My apologies to Tom Goodwin of the Rangers, a close
second.)
With a plethora of pitching. including Roger "K" Clemens
(Toronto), David "Perfect" Wells, David "All I want is an ice
cream" Cone (NY Yankees) and Dennis "Boston is better than
Montreal" Martinez (Boston), where’s Chuck "Blondie" Finley of the
Angels? Oh well, Los Angeles (and Anaheim for that matter) will be
slightly misrepresented this year in the 1998 All-Star Game.
Thank God I’m a Giant fan.
Alvin Cadman is an assistant sports editor for the 1998-1999
school year. He’s looking for Laker tickets for next year and could
make a very lucrative offer for them. He has "hook-ups" for
Clippers tickets and wants to make an even switch. Send any
responses, as well as comments, to [email protected].