Ryan Theriot - An All-star? - Bleed Cubbie Blue

Ryan Theriot - An All-star?

by Chanman25 on May 16, 2009 5:38 PM CDT Comment 71 comments

Given his recent power surge and his consistent hitting, Ryan Theroit is certainly a notable candidate that is worthy of all star consideration. He currently has 5 belted home runs and a .298 batting average. Now I am not sure how any other short stop in the National League is performing, but I think that with the Cubs large fan base, the Cajun may get his first All star berth.

Your thoughts on this topic??

Poll

Could The Riot be selected to the All-star game??

Yes

101 votes

No

31 votes

Too early for discussion

43 votes

175 votes | Poll has closed

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Comments

Yes

He should’ve last year over Tejada. Now, if he keeps his power numbers up, he could be in this year.

"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti

by wrigleyrocker12 on May 16, 2009 6:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Speaking of Tejada...

… he has two home runs. Now, if there’s any poster boy for steroids (and what happens when you go off them), there it is.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on May 16, 2009 8:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's also 35

Im sure thats a factor as well

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on May 16, 2009 9:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And there are still people here who want him

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on May 17, 2009 9:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I dont know why

But SS isnt very deep, so we’re stuck with Theriots defense over there for now and lets hope this Korean kid pans out

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on May 17, 2009 9:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

So we're "stuck" with a shortstop

who is having an all-star caliber start to the season.

Sounds like a good thing to me.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on May 18, 2009 4:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

All-star caliber OFFENSIVE start

his defense still drives me crazy.

by Allie on May 18, 2009 6:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

he isnt that bad

not HOF caliber, but not bottom of the barrel either

baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out

by Cubbie-Tim on May 18, 2009 6:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Players are selected for the All Star team based on their offensive stats.

How else would Soriano have been selected as a 2nd baseman?

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on May 19, 2009 12:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

sure

If he keeps up this kind of production and maybe even gets a little better. He’s not a ‘name’ guy so it would take some talks between Charlie Manual and Lou to get him on the team.

by jeff_pico on May 16, 2009 6:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Hard call in the NL

With Ramirez, Rollins and Reyes all in the NL it will be tough for Theriot to get a fair shake.

The sun will shine in '69

by gaclaudy on May 16, 2009 6:39 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I think we have to admit...

the “fair shake” is for The Riot to sit out the All-Star Game.

"This is an environment of welcoming, and you should just get the hell outta here." --Michael Scott

by Reddevil on May 16, 2009 7:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was trying to put it in pleasant terms

The sun will shine in '69

by gaclaudy on May 16, 2009 9:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Um.

Are you referring to Jimmy Rollins of the .199 batting average?

by HereComesASpecialBoy on May 16, 2009 9:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If he was offered in trade would you want him?

The sun will shine in '69

by gaclaudy on May 16, 2009 10:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It doesn't matter if we would take him in a trade

the All-Star game should be about players who are having the best seasons. As of now, Theriot is having a far better season at the plate. I am no statistician, but I would imagine that Rollins is having a superior year in the field, so maybe its a push right now.

"It's been my policy to view the Internet not as an 'information highway,' but as an electronic asylum filled with babbling loonies." - Mike Royko

by DTJchris on May 16, 2009 11:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's not how I look at it.

I want bonafide stars in the All-Star game, not players who may be having a fluke great start to the season. Current season production plays into it for me, but it’s not the be-all, end-all. Jimmy Rollins is a star, but then so is Jose Reyes and Hanley Ramirez and really, it’s going to take a lot for any NL SS to eclipse those two (who are also playing well this season).

Derrek Lee is good.

by DGU on May 17, 2009 1:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here's what MLB say

The sun will shine in '69

by gaclaudy on May 17, 2009 10:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

OOPS new at this

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090511&content_id=4674764&vkey=allstar2009&fext=.jsp

The sun will shine in '69

by gaclaudy on May 17, 2009 10:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is a pretty irrelevant question with respect to who should play in that season’s All-Star Game.

by HereComesASpecialBoy on May 17, 2009 9:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I disagree

All star games are supposed to be the best player in that position during that season, totally agree with that. The problem lies with the fact that the All Star game has turned into a popularity and history thing. I just don’t think Theriot has got either one of those to get in over the three NL East shortstops. Like stated unless one or two of the the “Big Three” have an injury, I just don’t see it happening. Next as to the question about taking Rollins in a trade offer, it shows that he is still an all-star because people would still take him in a heart-beat because he is an excellent Short-Stop and therefor in my opnion he is still an All-Star. My two cents

The sun will shine in '69

by gaclaudy on May 18, 2009 9:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree and believe you are dead on subject.

However, the question posed isn’t whether Theriot is one of the two best shortstops in the league, rather “Could The Riot be selected to the All-star game?” Could he,? Yes. Would it require two of the “three” being unavailable for some reason or another? Yes again.

Another, and I think, more interesting question, is if two of the “three” are out with injury, is it likely that Theriot is the replacement? I believe no as the Cubs will probably already have a couple of other players on the team and another SS would be picked to allow that team All Star representation.

A much more fun debate would be whether Theriot is a Top 10 NL SS or a Top 15 MLB SS all around?

if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand

by N Oakley on May 18, 2009 9:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

All of this depends...

… on how the various SS mentioned are doing at the end of June.

Could Theriot still be performing at this level? Sure, but he could also fall back to Earth, and this discussion would be moot.

Too early to tell, really.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on May 18, 2009 9:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Riot can be an All Star

is we vote the Chicago way, early and often!

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on May 18, 2009 4:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't see why it's a problem

for fans to pick by the criteria of who is the biggest star. There are plenty of players who have big half-seasons and never play well again. Why should All-Star criteria be based on a half-season?

I want to see Stars in the All-Star game.

Derrek Lee is good.

by DGU on May 18, 2009 10:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

An All-Cub All-Star Team

I would to see every Cubby being top perfomers and the entire team being nothing but Cubby Blue, but I hardly think that would happen

The sun will shine in '69

by gaclaudy on May 18, 2009 11:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I understand that

and at the same time, it is b.s. that that same game decides the WS home field. I want see the best possible NL and worst possible AL teams

baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out

by Cubbie-Tim on May 18, 2009 3:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wait, I'm now confused.

So, with this being the Theriot thread, you want Theriot to start for the AL, what? :)

if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand

by N Oakley on May 18, 2009 3:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Absolutely!

not

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on May 16, 2009 6:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

LOL

4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42

by fischisgod on May 16, 2009 7:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey this guy made it last year.

Get Peavy already! I want my #44 jersey!

by Cub Style on May 17, 2009 4:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

as a 2nd baseman.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on May 18, 2009 12:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

lets not put the carriage infront of the horse just yet

baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out

by Cubbie-Tim on May 16, 2009 6:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

isn't cart not carriage?

"That's what you live for. You live for the opportunity and when that day comes, you better be ready," Soto said. "I tried to make sure that whenever they gave me a chance, I was ready and I knew I had to take advantage of the opportunity."

by Madison Cub Fan on May 17, 2009 9:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

cart, carriage, buggy

they are all the same

baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out

by Cubbie-Tim on May 17, 2009 12:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I say he get's it, even if he loses some of the power.

His BA and OBP are very real, and are good for both 3rd and 2nd among qualifying NL shortstops. If he can manage to knock out another two or three homers by the break he should be in, and it shouldn’t be much of a question. As of now, he’s 2nd in OPS behind Han-Ram, with Tulowitzki and Escobar the only one’s in shouting distance. Given our large fan base I say he gets in.

by dakoose on May 16, 2009 7:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

This is what is stupid about the allstar game

what do we base our vote off of? 1 1/2 months of baseball? When I vote I take into account the second half of last season and the first half of this season. So based on that, no he isnt an allstar. Based on this year only, you could probably put him in.

by bheidge on May 16, 2009 9:38 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I think he'll get voted in

Chicago fans were vocal last year and I expect they will be again this year. He might not start in the game but I have a strong feeling he’ll be voted in. Especially since Ramirez won’t be available and I don’t think Cubs faithful will be voting for Derrek Lee as much this year.

by ak123 on May 16, 2009 10:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

fans only vote in starters (no chance) and the 25th player (possible)

Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living."

by DC Cubbie on May 16, 2009 11:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't be surprised

Cubs sell out more than any other NL team meaning they’re having more votes.

Look at last year, we got Fukudome in which was a surprise to most. If I recall Theriot was actually in 4th last year (with only 20,000 votes separating him from 3rd). While I agree there might be more deserving SS it just wouldn’t surprise me if he won.

A lot of people outside of Chicago know of Theriot or rather the nickname of The Riot. I think voting this year for all spots should be interesting.

by ak123 on May 17, 2009 1:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hanley Ramirez, Jimmy Rollins, Jose Reyes

No chance without a vote in.

Hey the Cubs are good again! This will be a good test of a sig jinx.

by nji232 on May 16, 2009 10:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Jimmy Rollins has stunk so far this year.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on May 18, 2009 4:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Reyes hasn't exactly lit it up either.

by Allie on May 18, 2009 6:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And while we're checking NL SS stats,

Furcal hasn’t exactly lit the world on fire so far this season.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on May 19, 2009 12:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

can you imagine of our all stat reps are

Dome and the the Riot, who would have guessed that? I guess Sori will probably find his way on there too.

Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living."

by DC Cubbie on May 16, 2009 11:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Marmol

Marmol could get back on with a real hot 6 weeks. Not saying its going to happen but its a possibility. Ted Lilly or Rich Harden also with a real hot 6 weeks. As for the hitters I think Dome is the most likely with the Japan vote. I think Dome’s story is pretty amazing. Most of us thought this guy was pretty much done and going to have to go back in shame to Japan. I pray he can keep it up for the whole year this time.

by jeff_pico on May 17, 2009 12:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lilly deserves it

He’s been really solid going into his third year in NL. He’s earned to be on that team. Harden might get chosen but I’m hoping he doesn’t pitch. If Cubs plan a scheduled break for him like last year it would be nice to let it coincide with All Star Break.

by ak123 on May 17, 2009 1:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

if not lilly

then theriot

by tim815 on May 17, 2009 7:44 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Since you asked for our thoughts I'll oblige.

First, it wouldn’t take a whole lot of research to uncover the current statistics of the leading NL shortstops and include those in the post. Saying “Now I am not sure how any other short stop in the National League is performing, but I think that with the Cubs large fan base, the Cajun may get his first All star berth” is a subtle way of inviting others to do the work for you. Having said that, I decided to compare Theriot to four other NL shortstops (Hanley Ramirez, Yunel Escobar, Jose Reyes, and Miguel Tejada). Here then, is Theriot’s rank among these players in the following categories:

R – T2nd (Ramirez 1st)
H – 5th (Ramirez 1st)
2B – 5th (Ramirez 1st)
3B – T1st
HR – 2nd (Ramirez 1st)
RBI – 4th (Ramirez/Tejada T1st)
TB – 2nd (Ramirez 1st)
SB – 2nd (Reyes 1st)
OBP – T2nd (Ramirez 1st)
SLG – 2nd (Ramirez 1st)
AVG – 4th (Ramirez 1st)
OPS – 2nd (Ramirez 1st)
FPCT – 4th (Ramirez 1st)
RF – 5th (Escobar 1st)
E – 3rd (Ramirez 5th)

By any statistical measure, Hanley Ramirez should be your starting NL shortstop in the All-Star Game. The only way Theriot should see that game is on FOX.

"I'll never forget how I felt last October." ~Kosuke Fukudome

by Goodie1969 on May 17, 2009 8:59 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

How about as a back up?

I don’t think the poster specified as a starter, necessarily…

Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team

by carmen_fanzone on May 17, 2009 10:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think Lou would have to do some pretty convincing lobbying

to get The Riot in there ahead of Rollins as backup. That’s Manuel’s guy. I just assumed Chanman meant as a starter, since he referenced the Cubs’ large fan base voting for him.

"I'll never forget how I felt last October." ~Kosuke Fukudome

by Goodie1969 on May 17, 2009 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

starter, backup

fair game, the way I see it

I'm a lefty, maybe Lou should give me a shot for a position in the bullpen!!

by Chanman25 on May 17, 2009 9:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Managers have very little say in who is on the team.

That’s because the fans vote the starters and the players vote most of the reserves, including most of the pitchers. Then, the manager has to select from the teams without representation and then is left with maybe 1 player left to choose (if that).

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on May 18, 2009 4:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why not just use this list and keep it simple. Theriot has been the second best shorstop in the NL so far this year. If the All Star game was tomorrow, he should at least be on as a reserve. However, it’s unlikely that Theriot will continue to produce at a 6 WAR pace. Nor will he continue to slug .489 or have a 16.2 UZR/150. By the All Star break, guys like Escobar, Reyes, Tuluwitski and Hardy will most likely have better numbers than Theriot, and would deserve an All Star spot in front of him.

St. Louis Cardinals... defying win expectancy since 2008

by vivaelpujols on May 17, 2009 10:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And seeing as how Ryan Theriot...

…has played in EVERY GAME OF THE 2009 SEASON, I’d be more than happy to see him get the All-Star Break off.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on May 18, 2009 10:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm all for that

Rather see him play 162 games and hit .300 with 20 homers and 30 steals and not play in the All-Star. Same goes for our pitchers!

The sun will shine in '69

by gaclaudy on May 18, 2009 12:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

it would rock

if our pitchers could play 162 games, hit .300 with 20 homers and 30 steals!

"I don’t really play baseball, I feel it." -- Milton Bradley

by drewishdrewid on May 18, 2009 12:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I bet Big Z could do this.

But only if he NEVER BUNTED.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on May 18, 2009 12:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

didnt he get a game off recently?

baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out

by Cubbie-Tim on May 18, 2009 3:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, but he must've appeared in it at some point.

He’s played in 36 games and the Cubs have played 36 games.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on May 18, 2009 4:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I believe he pinch hit in both games he was given the day off.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on May 18, 2009 4:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not voting in the poll, because my answer is:

Could he be? Sure. Anyone on the list could be, because it’s a popularity contest.

SHOULD he be? No.

"I don’t really play baseball, I feel it." -- Milton Bradley

by drewishdrewid on May 17, 2009 10:35 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Right -

Of course he could be, and he may even be, given the good showing he had last year in All-Star voting when he clearly wasn’t even close to deserving votes. If you base “deserving” on his production so far this year, he’ll have “earned” consideration.

But it will be embarassing for Chicago fans if it is claimed that he actually is a better SS than the NL East crop.

Derrek Lee is good.

by DGU on May 17, 2009 1:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I already know people

who think he should be the STARTER.

"I don’t really play baseball, I feel it." -- Milton Bradley

by drewishdrewid on May 18, 2009 10:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The starters in the All Star game are not the best players necessarily,

they are the players the fans want to see start the game.

The whole concept of the All Star game is for the fans, some knucklehead (cough, Selig, cough) decided that the game should “count”.

If the fans want to see The Riot start the All-Star game, why shouldn’t they get their wish?

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on May 18, 2009 4:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

can we vote Neifi to start for the AL?

baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out

by Cubbie-Tim on May 18, 2009 5:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with that much of what you're saying.

Vote him in if you want him in.

I think most fans, though, are voting on who they think is the best.

Derrek Lee is good.

by DGU on May 18, 2009 5:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

So DeRosa will probably start @ 3rd for the AL

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on May 18, 2009 6:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Only if Cub fans do most of the voting.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on May 18, 2009 8:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is pretty silly.

On the question “could he make the All Star Team,” hell yes. He’s playing a decent defensive SS and increasing slugging has his value skyrocketing.

If the question is whether Theriot is better than and beats out a healthy Hanley Ramirez, Jose Reyes, or Jimmy Rollins, the discussion has spiraled to the obsurd. If one or two of them are on the DL and/or have to sit out to nurse a naggin injury (very possible), then Theriot could easily Girardi a spot on the roster.

if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand

by N Oakley on May 18, 2009 8:43 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yes, Ryan Theriot is in the definite running to make the All Star team

Jimmy Rollins and Jose Reyes are off to less than stellar starts. Hanely Ramirez will get the vote in, but yes Theriot stands a decent shot of being a managerial selection for the game.

by BLou on May 18, 2009 9:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs