Yesterday, Major League Baseball announced their All Star game starters. As you could have guessed, the Chicago Cubs did not have anyone mentioned. That left us waiting to see which players would be named to be reserved, and left us wondering how many. That brought us to today’s announcement.
There really are only two players who should be considered for the All Star team, Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo. They are the standouts on the Cubs this year offensively, and both should have gotten consideration, even by the fan vote.
However, both were overlooked by the fans, and will not be on the team as starters. That does not mean that they would not be named to the team as reserves.
With Giancarlo Stanton being injured, his spot on the roster was open. That spot goes to Bryant, though he will not be taking over in the lineup, that honor goes to Andrew McCutchen.
Andrew McCutchen replaces Stanton and will be in starting lineup while #Cubs rookie Kris Bryant makes #AllStarGame
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 6, 2015
Making the All Star game is an honor, especially if you are chosen by the manager of the league’s team, as Bryant was. Bryant is the first Cubs rookie to make the All Star team since Geovany Soto in 2008.
#Cubs 3B Kris Bryant — an All-Star pick by #Giants manager Bruce Bochy — made it known he would participate in Home Run Derby if asked.
— Patrick Mooney (@CSNMooney) July 6, 2015
Another player named as a reserve for the All Star team from the Cubs is Rizzo who was selected by his fellow players, which is also a huge honor.
MLB players voted #Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo onto NL All-Star team.
— Patrick Mooney (@CSNMooney) July 6, 2015
No offense to the baseball fans of the world, but I consider being selected to the All Star team by the manager or the players as a far greater honor than by the fans. After all, the fan vote is generally a popularity contest, or to see whichever team’s fans spend the most time on the computer *cough*Royals*cough*.
One player who has (at the moment) gotten the shaft, would be Cubs starting pitcher Jake Arrieta. He has been left off the National League pitching roster. He could be added, as Tuesday against the St. Louis Cardinals is his last start of the first half.
There are, however, no Cubs in the Final Vote this year.
Congratulations to the two Cubs All Stars!
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