Who should start at 1B for the NL in the All-Star Game?
| Sean Casey |  0 (0.00%) |
| Carlos Delgado | 10 (11.36%) |
| Todd Helton | 1 (1.14%) |
| Nick Johnson | 4 (4.55%) |
| Derrek Lee | 49 (55.68%) |
| Phil Nevin | 0 (0.00%) |
| Lyle Overbay | 0 (0.00%) |
| Albert Pujols | 24 (27.27%) |
| Chad Tracy | 0 (0.00%) |
| Other (please specify) | 0 (0.00%) |
88 votes | 6 featured comments
Apologies to Pirate Daryle Ward and Brave Adam LaRoche, the last two cuts from the limited-to-10-spots ballot, both of whom it can be argued are outplaying Helton, for instance. But let's be honest ... this is going to be a three-man race and neither of them were going to break that barrier down.
This one comes down to what you count more for the all-star game, current year performance (Lee, I think obviously), or past years' performances included in the figuring. I tend to think that performances from the current year should count for the most, and Lee's half has been incredible so far. Sorry Pujols and Delgado.
Lee so far reminds me a lot of Olerud's 1993 season. Like Olerud in 1993, Lee has never been quite good enough to be considered an All-Star, but he has been good with a great glove. Sometimes on the "who deserved to go but didn't" list. Also like Olerud in 1993, there's not much chance that he'll continue on this pace. But as long as he doesn't fall off a cliff, he could still win the MVP (if Cubs threaten/make the playoffs).
Lee so far reminds me a lot of Olerud's 1993 season. Like Olerud in 1993, Lee has never been quite good enough to be considered an All-Star, but he has been good with a great glove. Sometimes on the "who deserved to go but didn't" list. Also like Olerud in 1993, there's not much chance that he'll continue on this pace. But as long as he doesn't fall off a cliff, he could still win the MVP (if Cubs threaten/make the playoffs).
Pujols and Lee is a coin flip, but Lee has just been so good. Delgado and Nick Johnson are both having very fine years, but at least one and probably both of them will have to stay home. With Clint Barmes gone, Todd Helton pretty much has to be in Detroit.
I think that it's no contest. Pujols.
You just cannot put too much emphasis on 1/2 a year.
The career lines for the 2 prior to this year were:
Lee- .266/.353/.474 (6 and 1/2 seasons)
Pujols- .333/.413/.624 (4 seasons)
There is just no comparison. Lee's fabulous first-half, after a good year last year, warrants his addition to the roster as an extra, but Pujols is the best non-Bonds player in the league. I remember one year Toby Harrah was playing better than George Brett as of the All-Star break, but the fans had the good sense to look beyond that and put in Brett.
You just cannot put too much emphasis on 1/2 a year.
The career lines for the 2 prior to this year were:
Lee- .266/.353/.474 (6 and 1/2 seasons)
Pujols- .333/.413/.624 (4 seasons)
There is just no comparison. Lee's fabulous first-half, after a good year last year, warrants his addition to the roster as an extra, but Pujols is the best non-Bonds player in the league. I remember one year Toby Harrah was playing better than George Brett as of the All-Star break, but the fans had the good sense to look beyond that and put in Brett.
I disagree. It has to be Lee.
Pujols is having an incredibly good year, another Albert Pujols year. And .340/20/64 (1.030 OPS) through nearly half of the year warrants an all star nod.
The meaning of the All-Star Game, however, is to showcase the best players of the current season. Past years should be thrown out - the game is a showcase of this year's best, theoretically if not realistically. And Derrek Lee's comparable but indubitably better line of .387/23/65 (1.187 OPS) gives him the better statistical season.
Or, from another perspective - the guy is having ridiculously good season, a year that he will probably never again match, while Albert Pujols will probably find himself in the same spot next year. He deserves the recognition for what he's doing while he's still doing it.
Pujols is the better player but Lee is more deserving and the better choice.
Pujols is having an incredibly good year, another Albert Pujols year. And .340/20/64 (1.030 OPS) through nearly half of the year warrants an all star nod.
The meaning of the All-Star Game, however, is to showcase the best players of the current season. Past years should be thrown out - the game is a showcase of this year's best, theoretically if not realistically. And Derrek Lee's comparable but indubitably better line of .387/23/65 (1.187 OPS) gives him the better statistical season.
Or, from another perspective - the guy is having ridiculously good season, a year that he will probably never again match, while Albert Pujols will probably find himself in the same spot next year. He deserves the recognition for what he's doing while he's still doing it.
Pujols is the better player but Lee is more deserving and the better choice.
Todd Helton pretty much has to be in Detroit
Actually, they could take Brian Fuentes from the Rockies.