MLB 2018 regular season thread

I was going to say Rocky Colavito, but he was a nine-time All-Star. Maybe the most ASG not in the HOF.

Colavito was the last AL position player to be credited with a win until Chris Davis in 2012.

 

I was referring to your statement about nobody making distinctions between a five or six time all-star, not just a single selection.

 

They better not try to put Rocky in after he's dead.

“I told my family that, ‘If they vote me in after I’m dead, you tell ‘em for me to stick it up their ass.' That’s what I told my family and I meant it. It ain’t going to do me any good when I’m dead.”

 

I thought this was really enlightening on why hitters aren't "beating the shift" by hitting the ball the other way or bunting.

MLB hitters explain why they can't just beat the shiftMLB hitters explain why they can't just beat the shift

 

Still, who is saying 5 isn't enough? There are so many potential caveats either way ("he played when there were two all-star games", "each team had to have a player", "the position sucked", "the position was loaded", "his career was built on longevity", "his value wasn't in stats that voters recognized", etc.) If people want to get a player in the Hall of Fame one all-star selection isn't going to make the difference.

 

I'm surprised. Carpenter was enlightening, but Murphy sounded dumb. Everything he said about hitting against the shift was what people were saying 15 years ago against taking walks.

 

I disagree. You take walks because you don't have pitches you can hit. I had no problem with what Murphy said.

 

Saw this in a Facebook group chat and found it interesting. While the Braves have -- and the Rangers will soon -- move into a third ballpark in about 20-25 years, the Athletics have only played in four home ballparks, in three cities, since the franchise was born in 1901.

Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum (1968–present)
Municipal Stadium (1955–1967)
Shibe Park (1909–1954)
Columbia Park (1901–1908)

 

I've heard Minnesota Twins rail on a bunting hitter for "not playing the right way", so I am suspect of baseball players' thought process to begin with.

The Minnesota Twins Just Made the Dumbest “Unwritten Rules” Argument in Baseball History

 

Bill Freehan played in 11 for the AL in an era when offense was in short supply, particularly among backstops, and he was extremely durable. Along with Norm Cash, Willie Horton, Dick McAuliffe and Mickey Lolich, the 1968 champs have the Hall of Very Good covered.

Bill Freehan: The Most All-Star Appearances for a Non-Hall of Fame Player

 

Who are the best players never to make an All-Star team?

In SoCal we pick Kirk Gibson, Eric Karros and Tim Salmon.

 

You take walks because walks are positive outcomes and help your team score runs. So are singles through the empty side of the field.