MLB All-Star Game — a very controversial topic of conversation this time of year. Why are fans deciding who starts the game that decides home field advantage in the Fall Classic? Why does the game count at all? How in god’s name is Omar Infante a candidate to not only make the All-Star team, but START the game? Over the last few days the teams were announced, thankfully there aren’t eight Royals starting which at one point seemed realistic.
As there are in any sport a few notable players were left off the team for each league. In a desperate attempt to get fans involved one player slot is left open and the fans decided over Twitter the final player. Two out of the five NL choices are Jeurys Familia and Clayton Kershaw. Familia, the Met closer, has been fantastic and saved the Mets when Jenrry Mejia, their opening day closer, was suspended for 80 games. A lot has been made over social media about how it needs to be Kershaw.
Kevin Burkhardt, the Mets former sideline reporter, said over twitter, “The #mlballstargame final vote is pretty simple. If Clayton Kershaw and Brett Gardner aren’t on the team, it’s embarrassing.”
There are many reasons why Familia belongs in the game over Kershaw. The first is the name, if Clayton Kershaw was named Jon Niese he wouldn’t even be in this vote. Wins and losses are a stat many want to be abolished, but it does tell even the smallest of stories and Clayton Kershaw is 5-6. The reason the stat is not valued is because bad luck can play a major factor. When thinking of the term “hard luck loser” Kershaw should not come to mind. He has given up three runs in 4 of his six losses. Kershaw hasn’t won in over a month. For those into more advanced stats WAR is commonly used, Kershaw’s is 1.6, Familia’s, 1.8. The WHIP isn’t even close Familia has an outstanding .88 WHIP while Kershaw’s is over 1. Familia also has an incredible 1.13 ERA has well while Kershaw’s is over 3. The last thing which separates them is where they came from.
Clayton Kershaw has won 3 of the last 4 Cy Young’s, he has been to four straight all star games, he is getting paid $32 million dollars (plus the subway incentives) on the team with both the highest expectations and payroll. The expectations coming in for Kershaw are higher than any pitcher and he simply hasn’t lived up to the hype at all. On the other hand Jeurys Familia came into the year as simply an 8th inning guy on an average team with a low payroll. His salary is a minuscule 524K. He has been the Mets Team MVP, while the bullpen has always been trouble for the Mets this year Familia has been nearly lights out. This is a Mets site and it might be a bit bias but I think the choice is clear, #Votefamilia!
