c/o espn.com

A quick look at where the new All-Star selection process went wrong -- and right:

 

FAN MISTAKES (AL):

 

At second, we'd take Bret Boone, who has nine more extra-base hits than Alfonso Soriano and eight fewer errors. At third, Hank Blalock and Corey Koskie have better numbers in almost every category than Troy Glaus. We'd settle for either one. The players picked Nomar over A-Rod, and we would, too. And with 80 RBI already, Vernon Wells ought to start over Hideki Matsui -- and everybody else -- in center field. But Wells must have forgotten to campaign in those Tokyo precincts.

 

FAN MISTAKES (NL):

 

Marcus Giles might have deserved to win at second base a month ago. But he's hitting .232 since June 1. We'll actually back the player vote at every NL position -- but especially at second base (Jose Vidro) and third (Mike Lowell over Scott Rolen).

 

PLAYER MISTAKES (AL):

 

People wondered if players would take this seriously. They obviously did. Our only quibbles with the player voting in the AL are at backup DH (Carl Everett over Frank Thomas?) and backup catcher (Ramon Hernandez over Jason Varitek?). We think Koskie ought to be on this team someplace, but so should Blalock. And we'll admit we're surprised to see Eddie Guardardo getting elected over Mariano Rivera or Troy Percival. But basically, these players did great.

 

PLAYER MISTAKES (NL):

 

And the NL players did even better. If we had a ballot, we would have voted for Orlando Cabrera over Rafael Furcal at short, for Mike Lieberthal as backup catcher over Paul Lo Duca, and for Jim Thome over Richie Sexson at first. But they're all close calls. We'll admit we were fascinated by the relatively high vote totals for Shawn Chacon (314) and the relatively low vote totals for Jim Edmonds (38). But basically, thanks to the players, the 26 elected NL All-Stars are almost impossible to argue with.

 

MANAGER MISTAKES (AL):

 

Mike Scioscia had so few choices to make, it's hard to differ with him. But Shigetoshi Hasegawa's selection (over Mariano Rivera, Mike Mussina or Gil Meche, among others) has a subtle "ex-Angel" ring to it, even if Hasegawa does have a 0.81 ERA.

 

And Benjie Molina's inclusion on the 32nd-man ballot (over Koskie, Rocco Baldelli, Ordonez, etc.) has a slightly less subtle "current-Angel" ring to it. But most of the problems with the back end of the AL roster are the system's fault, not Scioscia's.

 

MANAGER MISTAKES (NL):

 

Unlike Scoscia, who had very few options, Baker had two extra selections because the NL didn't elect any DHs. So he could have -- and should have -- taken Dontrelle Willis. But Russ Ortiz used to pitch for Baker in San Francisco, and Kerry Wood pitches for him now in Chicago -- and he just happened to pick both of them. Not that they weren't deserving, but this game needs Dontrelle Willis.

 

Baker also could have taken Jake Peavy instead of Rondell White as his Padres representative -- which would have allowed him to add Brian Giles or Aramis Ramirez as his Pirate instead of Mike Williams and his 6.29 ERA. And it appears Baker pushed for Benito Santiago, who caught for him in San Francisco, and Corey Patterson, who roams center field for him now, on the 32nd-man ballot (over Lieberthal, Alex "The Marlin" Gonzalez, Jim Thome, Austin Kearns, etc.). But with so many spots locked up by electees, there's a lot less to blame on either manager than in possibly any year in history. BIGGEST OMISSIONS (AL POSITION PLAYERS):

 

Rocco Baldelli

Corey Koskie

Magglio Ordonez

 

BIGGEST OMISSIONS (NL POSITION PLAYERS):

 

Alex (Florida) Gonzalez

Jim Thome

Brian Giles

 

BIGGEST OMISSIONS (AL PITCHERS):

 

Mariano Rivera

Gil Meche

Mike Mussina

 

BIGGEST OMISSIONS (NL PITCHERS):

 

Dontrelle Willis

Hideo Nomo

Octavio Dotel

 

Jayson Stark is a senior writer for ESPN.com.

nice piece

I am still in shock that Willis did't make it. I knew there was a chance Gonzo might get left out due to his poor play lately but why Willis? Is it because he is a rookie? Oh well Willis will just show everyone up in the second half. :whistle

Seems like America is responding to idiotic choices.

the new major league baseball slogan should be:

 

"The game needs Dontrelle Willis..."

I agree completely, even on the All-Star Selection Show the Baseball Tonight guys were wondering what Dusty Baker was thinking by leaving Dontrelle out. Ratings would have been higher with him just showing up. However, there is always the chance of a replacement by injury.

Hope Wood gets hurts and so does Furcal, at least until the ASG

Damn I wish fans were smarter. A.rod is my favorite player but I voted for nomar becuase he was more deserving.

Willis will get in as soon as Kevin Brown declines to take his roster spot due to injury.

And then Dontrelle can embarrass the Cubs organization for being the big "Fish" that got away..cause if DW takes Browns roster spot and Dusty doesn't play him...aw, hell, there's gonna be some All-Star fireworks aplenty

Seriously, Mike Williams may very well be the worst All-Star in the history of baseball. I'm dying to know when the last time was that a pitcher with a 6+ ERA made the all-star team (my guess is never).

And then Dontrelle can embarrass the Cubs organization for being the big "Fish" that got away..cause if DW takes Browns roster spot and Dusty doesn't play him...aw, hell, there's gonna be some All-Star fireworks aplenty

It doesn't matter, you probably won't see Willis play in the AS anyway. With this whole new "the game means something" ploy you won't see half of either league's roster get any PT at all.

exactly Fish...

 

DW will be there

I still cant Believe Alex or Willis didnt make it. The years they are having is incredible! I hope they dont feel bad for this Mistake dusty did.

It's funny how every year some egregious error is made in the initial AS selections, but in the end most of the issues miraculously work themselves out.

 

Bud and his boys will straighten this one out.

indeed Fish indeed