Tom Verduccis thinks no Cubs should be in the All Star game, would this be such a bad thing?

by Marttisdad on Jun 30, 2009 12:52 PM CDT Comment 67 comments

Good afternoon gang,

New poster here. Tom Verducci on CNNSI picked his allstar team with no rules, and included no Cubs (no White Sox either). What do we think? Does anybody really belong. I hate to see the Cubs as a team with a pitty invite. When was the last time that happened to the Cubs?

I just had my first son, and albeit, it'll be a few years before he's ready to be a true Cubs fan, but as things stand right now, if he asked me who my favourite player was, boy, I would have no answer.

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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Randy Wells??

I guess you could make a case that no 1-3 pitcher should make an all-star team, this guy has pitched like an all-star this year. I have a feeling the Cubs’ lone all-star this year will be big Z

by grand salamis on Jun 30, 2009 12:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Z?

Hardly.

If Wells pitches well in his next couple of starts and puts up 7-8 inning outings, he will show up in the league leaders for ERA (his 2.57 would rank third if he had enough innings to qualify).

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

by Al on Jun 30, 2009 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Remember

mentioned below: It’s a popularity contest. Who cares?. That is why i think Z will be an all-star, despite Lilly’s solid start

by grand salamis on Jun 30, 2009 1:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The fan voting is popularity

They don’t vote for pitchers.

Besides, I doubt Zambrano is that popular among other teams.

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Jun 30, 2009 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I cant think of a position player on the Cubs

worthy of a vote this year. Maybe D-Lee but there are waaaay to many excellent 1B’s in the NL this year

by grand salamis on Jun 30, 2009 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ted "I will eat your soul" Lilly

Get Peavy already! I want my #44 jersey!

by Cub Style on Jun 30, 2009 4:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

not for pitchers it isn't, salami

A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject.
--Winston Churchill

by lookingdeadred on Jul 1, 2009 9:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd like to see Wells...

Get chosen by the managers, although I think it will be Lilly representing us.

Someday we'll go all the way...

by CubsBullsBears on Jun 30, 2009 2:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

my lack of caring knows no bounds. It’s a popularity contest. Who cares?

Favorite Player: With Rami on the DL, it’s gotta be Ted Lilly.

I'm a Cubs FANATIC. They are my team, through thick and thin. When they play over their heads, and when they play under the gutter. When they win the division, and then get swept in the division series. When they get no-hitters and when they blow no-hitters. And some day, when they go all the way and get those rings. This is the kind of fan I am.

by drewishdrewid on Jun 30, 2009 12:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The Mambochicken Collective hath spoken.

This is pretty much how I feel, too.

Let Lilly or Wells throw an inning. Otherwise, no one else really qualifies. Hey, think of it this way, at least they can’t get injured or embarass themselves the way Uggla did last year.

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 Jun 30, 2009 1:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I will never ever like Uggla

After that performance.

"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 jkobus on Jun 30, 2009 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not to mention he strikes out more than a kid with no depth perception.

Get Peavy already! I want my #44 jersey!

by Cub Style on Jun 30, 2009 4:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

one of us, one of... whatever.

I’d prefer to NOT be like Uggla. As much as possible.

by drewishdrewid on Jun 30, 2009 1:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Welcome

I think Lilly deserves to go, but I agree that it might not be a bad thing.

Maybe a sort of kick in the butt.

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Jun 30, 2009 12:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

*Might not be a bad thing if no one were to go

Which I realize is against the rules, just sticking to the original premise…

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Jun 30, 2009 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If Lilly goes to ASG

I predict the NL wins and the AL catchers simply explode when Ted his the field. Final Score 2009 ASG: Ted Lilly: 14 AL All Stars: 0 (and two or three empty catcher positions)

Drive, Monkey Drive!

by VegasCubFan on Jun 30, 2009 5:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

thats;

…when Ted hits the field"…. (although, when he is on the field it is HIS field).

Drive, Monkey Drive!

by VegasCubFan on Jun 30, 2009 5:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am ok with it

Although I feel Lilly might be owed a trip, but the problem with the All Star game is its fan voting, and no one outside of Cubs fans really know how Lilly has been doing. But I care so little about the All Star game.

"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 jkobus on Jun 30, 2009 1:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Fans don't pick the pitchers

or the backups, for that matter. It’s done by player and coaches ballot. So, they would probably pick Lilly, based on what they’ve seen this year.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Trey2317 on Jun 30, 2009 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kinda forgot that

Thanks for the reminder.

"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 jkobus on Jun 30, 2009 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

no worries.

The ballot should be interesting – I could see 4 Cubs receiving 3-4 votes each. There definitely isn’t a consensus Cub to be on the team.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Trey2317 on Jun 30, 2009 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pitchers are picked by the managers

by jerry morales rules on Jun 30, 2009 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Since all teams must have one representative...

… this question is moot.

Ted Lilly has had a good enough year to qualify — if he wins his next couple of starts, he could be among the league leaders in ERA and wins. He deserves it.

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

by Al on Jun 30, 2009 1:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

All i know...

is that it kills me that Soriano is close to starting in the All-Star game…

"I love this world. I hope hell is as much fun!"

by HIGGY on Jun 30, 2009 1:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

why do you care?

by drewishdrewid on Jun 30, 2009 1:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm guessing...

its because he’s been atrocious this year and could probably use the rest. Not to mention, if we’re going by the whole “This time it counts” logic I would rather have someone who legitimately gives the NL a shot to win and give the Cubs (should the turn this around) a shot at home field.

Probably moot since I’m sure Beltran will opt out with his injury. Start stuffing the ballots for Shane Victorino.

by CubFan81 on Jun 30, 2009 1:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It would be nice to win one of these years

Soriano isn’t really going to help that cause.

by dr stabbingworth on Jun 30, 2009 2:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He will be in it at this rate

Beltran won’t be playing the ASG.

by ak123 on Jun 30, 2009 1:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yabbut...

… if Beltran is elected, if he can’t go they don’t just go to the next guy on the election list. Someone else will be selected to start by Charlie Manuel.

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

by Al on Jun 30, 2009 3:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe the NL all-stars can DFA any Cub representatives...

…and have them work on their approach at the AAA all-star game

by Jerry Mumphrey on Jun 30, 2009 1:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Welcome aboard.

Could you provide a link to Verducci’s article/blogpost?

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 Jun 30, 2009 1:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

try

this

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Trey2317 on Jun 30, 2009 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks!

I started to do a search but got sidetracked here at work.

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 Jun 30, 2009 1:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's what I'm here for.

I’m one of 2 people currently at work today, so I have plenty of time on my hands to find needed links.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Trey2317 on Jun 30, 2009 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not such a bad thing

Ted Lilly would be my pick if I could pick one player from the Cubs. I have a feeling we’re going to see D-Lee chosen by the players.

by daeviant on Jun 30, 2009 1:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Heilman

by plenz on Jun 30, 2009 1:17 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The Aaron Heilman Sucks Fanclub approves

One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.

by chilango2 on Jun 30, 2009 1:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

the All-Star game is long enough

we don’t need to see walks clogging the bases and allowing Joe Buck and Tim McCarver to drone on.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Trey2317 on Jun 30, 2009 1:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

seriously............gotta be Lilly if there HAS to be one

although it seems rather Little Leagueish if there has to someone from every team…….IMO……if no one has performed at an all star level……..no one should go

The fact that Alfonso Soriano is anywhere near starting is a strong argument for changing how the teams are selected

by plenz on Jun 30, 2009 1:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Aaron Miles FTW

One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.

by chilango2 on Jun 30, 2009 1:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

only

if he doesn’t return.

by drewishdrewid on Jun 30, 2009 1:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

can we?

start taking up a collection to pay for Miles’ ticket out of town?

by AGC on Jun 30, 2009 1:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

[Expletive] no!

He has a $5 million contract and I already got two pay cuts this year. [Expletive] him. He can pay his own way out of my beloved team.

One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.

by chilango2 on Jun 30, 2009 1:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lilly has earned an opportunity IMO

Other than that I don’t think anyone else will make the ASG. Certainly Soriano doesn’t deserve to even be ranked #4 in the voting (which will get him in the game since Beltran is injured).

by ak123 on Jun 30, 2009 1:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Guz might have had a shot...

if he didn’t get hurt.

It’ll be Lilly though, I can’t see any way it wouldn’t be.

by kanderber on Jun 30, 2009 1:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Well, I don't care, but I don't disagree with him either...

The only debatable spot is at catcher, where (shockingly) Soto is second in OPS at C. But I’m guessing Benjie Molina has been better defensively to offset the 0.008 difference in OPS.

Wells has pitched great so far, but he doesn’t have the full season’s worth of performance like the other starting options, and no one from the bullpen deserves it.

But it really doesn’t matter. It’s a team game, and the all-star game is a joke anyway.

by SouthernCub on Jun 30, 2009 1:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Only choice is....

Theriot. Performing as good as can be expected. Aside from Hanley very few SS’s putting up decent numbers this year.

SERENITY NOW!!!!!

by Lloyd Braun on Jun 30, 2009 1:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Tejada, Reyes, and Tulowitzki

Can’t see Theriot making it in over those three.

by Outshined_One on Jun 30, 2009 1:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Reyes is hurt and Theriot is having a better year anyway...

But unfortunately for Theriot, he’s still topped by Tejada, Tulowitzki and Escobar.

by SouthernCub on Jun 30, 2009 2:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rollins is nearly making it by popularity alone

And Tejada’s offensive numbers are a cut above Theriot’s. Tulowitzki is also having a better season than Theriot.

Sad as it makes me to say it, I don’t think any Cubs deserve a spot this year. Not without having a huge couple of weeks.

by madcow256 on Jun 30, 2009 1:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with Tom

Think of who the perennial Cubs All-Stars are. Soriano (playing terrible), Aramis (hurt for most of the season), Z (also not paying as well as usual), I would make a case for Lee but he’s clearly overshadowed by Pujols and possibly (and unfortunately) Prince Fielder. And yes, as popular as Theriot is, there’s too much talent at SS.

Lilly would be my pick for the Cubs only All-Star. He’s been the only consistent and decent pitcher in the staff and I would say an even ERA of 3 and a 7-4 record is good enough to get in.

Rumor has it Alex Brown keeps Chris Simms' right index finger in his back pocket for good luck.

by HanelucaTC on Jun 30, 2009 2:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

1976?

I believe the league had the same dilemma that year. They finally took Steve Swisher only because they wanted an extra catcher on the roster. He certainly did not earn the spot.

"It's a funny old world. Man's lucky if he gets out of it alive." W.C. Fields

by KedzieKid on Jun 30, 2009 2:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

He wasn't horrible the first half of that season (hit .268)....

it’s ironic that he was wayyyyyy worse the second half.. Along with an injury, he hit a whopping .167.

You’ve got to wonder why Madlock or Monday didn’t make that squad, but that 76 NL Team was pretty loaded.

Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team

by carmen_fanzone on Jun 30, 2009 4:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

My feeling is Madlock was left off because...

baseball people still operated under the old Uppity Negro rules. Madlock was feisty and outspoken. He was also black. That combination in MLB in the mid-70s meant he was classified as a villain. In fact, he was traded the following off-season, purportedly for asking for more money than any baseball player should be worth – then the Cubs gave even more money to the (comfortably white) Bobby Murcer.

The only conclusion I can come to is that Madlock was being punished. Remember, troglodytes like Dick Young still had a lot of power and huge voices in 1976. I’m so thankful those days are gone.

Joe, you coulda made us proud!

by copingwiththecubs on Jul 1, 2009 9:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What about my second question?

What is a cubs fan to tell his kid? Who in the world on this team is worthy of being a favourite player? BUT don’t get me wrong, I love the Cubs and seldom get down on them, they’re just a funny bunch of non-stars.

GIVE US A WIN TONIGHT!

All this buttoning and unbuttoning

by Marttisdad on Jun 30, 2009 2:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Everyone

has a different favorite. I have a hard time picking one, I like almost all of them. Just because they’re not playing well doesn’t change that.

by drewishdrewid on Jun 30, 2009 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe use it as opportunity...

…to explain the concept of popularity and how, just because someone isn’t popular, doesn’t mean he or she isn’t worth befriending. I like, or at least tolerate, almost every player on the Cubs 25-man roster in one way or another. Obviously, most of them have disappointed me so far this season. But you have to stick with a favorite player through the tough times – and, in baseball, those are pretty much a given unless your name is “Albert Pujols.”

This year more than ever, I’m realizing that “Star” is the operative word in “All-Star Game.” These are the stars of baseball – not necessarily the best players.

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 Jun 30, 2009 2:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's a great idea!

I’ll just become a Cards fan and cheer for Pujols!!!

Thanks Dat!

ha ha ha

All this buttoning and unbuttoning

by Marttisdad on Jun 30, 2009 3:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Host Team Should Be The Only Team...

that is entitled to be represented in the All-Star team. Okay, this season that’s St. Louis, and some guy named Pujols is going to get voted in anyway. I never have liked the fact that undeserving players on bad teams got to be All-Stars just because every team had to be represented. I’m not talking about players like Ernie Banks from the 1950’s, who was a great player, on losing teams, who made the All-Star team. Banks was more than deserving. I’m talking about players who don’t rise to the level of All-Star on their own merits that get selected from bad teams.

"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Jun 30, 2009 2:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Havent we had plenty of pitty representatives at this game in the past?

That being said, I think Lilly should be our rep

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 Jun 30, 2009 2:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

You know

Here in Toronto Lilly was the best thing to watch for a while as well (of course that is excluding the greatest pitcher in the game Doc Halladay)

All this buttoning and unbuttoning

by Marttisdad on Jun 30, 2009 3:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

SS position

Rollins has looked horrible this year, Escobar just got benched by his manager this weekend and his numbers are nothing special, Reyes is out, Tulo has been up and down and when he is down he is horrible. Not a reach to say The Riot has been one of the top 2-3 SS in the NL this year.

SERENITY NOW!!!!!

by Lloyd Braun on Jun 30, 2009 3:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Last year we had 8 all stars

This year we’ll have the mandatory one. Probably Lilly.

The only way Soriano should get in is if he buys a ticket.

by Clark Addison on Jun 30, 2009 6:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

No Cub has earned the right to be an all star this season

but since there has to be a Cub on the roster, Lilly is the most likely choice. Theriot might get a look as he is playing pretty well and has shown surprising pop. Beyond those tw, no one else even deserves to be considered.

A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject.
--Winston Churchill

by lookingdeadred on Jul 1, 2009 9:03 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs