Yes, some White Sox fans will be disappointed when the American League All-Star team is announced Sunday. There are more solid candidates than there will be room on the roster. But if fans are annoyed in Chicago, they could be downright angry in Detroit.
The Tigers, who have had the best record in the majors almost all season, figure to be the snub kings.
For starters, it’s a shame Sox manager Ozzie Guillen didn’t pick Detroit’s Jim Leyland for his coaching staff. The game is at Pittsburgh, where Leyland guided three Pirates teams to the National League Championship Series and still is considered a local. But instead of being in the PNC Park dugout, he will be in the stands, watching with family and friends. He bought 30 tickets.
Though the Tigers are on pace to go 111-51, they don’t have a single player whose first-half stats assure election as an All-Star. That says a ton about Detroit as a team, which is why the Sox and wild-card hopefuls, including the New York Yankees, shouldn’t dismiss its chance to stay strong in the second half.
In the closest AL race in fan voting, Tigers catcher Ivan Rodriguez trailed Boston’s Jason Varitek for the starter’s job. But Rodriguez is unlikely to go if the fans don’t elect him, as catchers Joe Mauer, Ramon Hernandez and Jorge Posada are having better seasons.
No other Tiger will win the fan vote. Right fielder Magglio Ordonez and shortstop Carlos Guillen have chances to make it as reserves in the vote of players, managers and coaches. But Ordonez faces stiff competition from Jermaine Dye, Vernon Wells, Raul Ibanez, Nick Swisher and Johnny Damon, and Guillen is unlikely to finish in the top two at a position that has Derek Jeter (winning the fan vote), Miguel Tejada and Michael Young.
Pitching has been the Tigers’ key, and the players, managers and coaches pick eight pitchers–five starters and three relievers. Kenny Rogers and rookie Justin Verlander have double-figure victory totals, and Nate Robertson is among the league leaders in ERA. But the three automatic choices appear to be Johan Santana, Jose Contreras and Roy Halladay.
That leaves two starter spots for perhaps 10 candidates: Mark Buehrle, Freddy Garcia, Mike Mussina, Curt Schilling, Josh Beckett, Barry Zito, Scott Kazmir, Rogers, Verlander and Robertson. Detroit’s best relievers have been setup men Joel Zumaya and Fernando Rodney, who won’t be elected ahead of the league’s top closers.
One way or another, July figures to be an eventful month for the Tigers. In addition to the motivation they could receive from a lack of representation on the All-Star team–nothing drives a team like lack of respect–they could land a significant reinforcement or two before the July 31 deadline.
Owner Mike Ilitch has reiterated that he would open his wallet if the Tigers were seriously contending. A lot of speculation has arisen about John Smoltz, the Michigan native who could be cut loose by the sinking Braves. But the piece Leyland wants most is a left-handed hitter who can lighten the load for designated hitter Marcus Thames, left fielder Craig Monroe and first baseman Chris Shelton, all of whom hit right-handed.
“I’m going to do what I can as an owner, like with the Red Wings,” said Ilitch, who hasn’t been as aggressive with his baseball team as his NHL powerhouse. “I don’t know what it’s going to take to win. It’s Leyland making a request. He’d like to have this or that. If the guy’s doing a great job, you’d like to fill his request.”
The Tigers and White Sox will play 13 times in the second half of the season, beginning with a three-game series July 18-20 at Comerica Park and ending with three games Sept. 18-20 at U.S. Cellular Field.
“It’s going to be hot,” Ilitch told the Detroit Free Press. “It’s not now. It’s going to be. They were World Series champions. They have a very–oh, what’s the word?–a real energetic manager. He sure speaks his piece. I’m sure that’s going to play in as this rivalry continues to develop. It won’t get rough, but we might see Colorado-Detroit Red Wings a little bit.”
Don’t be surprised if the screaming starts after Guillen uses the two-to-five discretionary picks he’ll have–he starts with eight but will have to spend at least three on teams without an elected All-Star–on his own players rather than overlooked Tigers.
