Ponder this one for a minute: Now that official online voting is open, if you had to select the Nats representative for the ’07 All Star game based on the team’s first 52 games, who would it be? No National appears in the top five at any position in the early voting results, which is indicative of both the nature of the voting as a popularity contest and of the Nats’ subpar 21-31 record. Somebody, though, has got to show up in San Francisco on July 10th wearing a curly W. Who will it be?
The Nats official MLB web writers already seem to be beating the drum for – believe it or not – Dmitri Young. The troubled veteran has put together a truly respectable first half, batting .298 while subbing for the injured Nick Johnson and he has been an All Star before in 2003, but come on… seriously? At the same position that includes Derrick Lee and Todd Helton (both batting over .350) and Prince Fielder (17 HR)? Not to mention fan favorites Albert Pujols and Carlos Delgado?
WaPo beat writer Barry Svrluga asked the same question on the Nationals Journal and got a surprisingly definitive answer from Brian Schneider: Jesus Colome. With Luis Ayala still out, Ryan Wagner struggling and inconsistent outings from Jon Rauch and Chad Cordero, Colome’s steady play has meant worlds to the beleaguered pitching staff. I don’t disagree with Schneider, but still, it’s a little depressing to have a long reliever as your showpiece.
Photo by Flickr user SuperTopher.
