SUNDAY BASEBALL NOTES JULY 5
FROM THE BILL CHUCK FILES
THE JULY 4TH DUMP
Politicians release bad news on Fridays to minimize media coverage, taking advantage of the public’s shift toward weekend activities and fewer journalists being at work. This tactic, commonly known as a “Friday News Dump”, allows them to bury controversial information.
Major League Baseball apparently viewed the naming of its All-Star team in much the same fashion. Presumably, on a July 4th evening, fans throughout the country were enjoying raucous barbecues or parties, cooling themselves, insulating themselves from the horrid heat, or simply blowing their fingers off with firecrackers; they chose to release the All-Star roster, their primary summer showcase. Why not do it as a prelude to Sunday Baseball is a mystery, but for those of you who missed the announcement, here are the chosen.
NATIONAL LEAGUE STARTERS
C: Drake Baldwin, Braves (1st All-Star selection)
1B: Freddie Freeman, Dodgers (10th)
2B: Ozzie Albies, Braves (4th)
3B: Max Muncy, Dodgers (3rd)
SS: CJ Abrams, Nationals (2nd)
OF: Brandon Marsh, Phillies (1st)
OF: Juan Soto, Mets (5th) - He’s now an All-Star for a fourth different team
OF: Andy Pages, Dodgers (1st)
DH: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers (6th) - Happy 32nd birthday, Shohei!
NATIONAL LEAGUE PITCHERS
Who will be our Jack Fisher starter for the game?
Chase Burns, CIN (1st All-Star selection)
Jhoan Duran, PHI (1st)
Raisel Iglesias, ATL (1st)
Max Meyer, MIA (1st)
Mason Miller, SD (2nd)
Jacob Misiorowski, MIL (2nd)
Eduardo Rodriguez, AZ (1st)
Chris Sale, ATL (10th)
Cristopher Sánchez, PHI (2nd)
Paul Skenes, PIT (3rd)
Logan Webb, SF (3rd)
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, LAD (2nd)
AMERICAN LEAGUE STARTERS
C: Shea Langeliers, Athletics (1st All-Star selection)
1B: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays (6th) - He’s already pulled out
2B: Ernie Clement, Blue Jays (1st)
3B: Junior Caminero, Rays (2nd)
SS: Bobby Witt Jr., Royals (3rd)
OF: Mike Trout, Angels (12th) - He’s hoping to return from the IL in time
OF: Byron Buxton, Twins (3rd)
OF: Aaron Judge, Yankees (8th)
DH: Yordan Alvarez, Astros (4th)
AMERICAN LEAGUE PITCHERS
Who will be our Jack Fisher starter for the game?
Bryan Baker, TB (1st All-Star selection)
Dylan Cease, TOR (1st)
Aroldis Chapman, BOS (9th)
Jacob Latz, TEX (1st)
Parker Messick, CLE (1st)
Drew Rasmussen, TB (2nd)
Joe Ryan, MIN (2nd)
Cam Schlittler, NYY (1st)
Cade Smith, CLE (1st)
Ranger Suarez, BOS (2nd)
Louis Varland, TOR (1st)
Michael Wacha, KC (2nd)
RESERVES
American League
Catchers
Dillon Dingler, DET (1st All-Star selection)
Adley Rutschman, BAL (3rd)
Infielders
Travis Bazzana, CLE (1st All-Star selection)
Nick Kurtz, ATH (1st)
Kevin McGonigle, DET (1st)
Ben Rice NYY, (1st)
Miguel Vargas, CWS (1st)
Outfielders
Randy Arozarena, SEA (3rd All-Star selection)
Cody Bellinger, NYY (3rd)
Riley Greene, DET (3rd)
DH
Yandy Díaz, TB (2nd All-Star selection)
National League
Catchers
William Contreras, MIL (3rd All-Star selection)
Hunter Goodman, COL (2nd)
Infielders
Luis Arraez, SF (4th All-Star selection)
Bryce Harper, PHI (9th) -- “Legend” pick
Otto Lopez, MIA (1st)
Matt Olson, ATL (4th)
Sal Stewart, CIN (1st)
Outfielders
Corbin Carroll, AZ (3rd All-Star selection)
Pete Crow-Armstrong, CHC (2nd)
Jordan Walker, STL (1st)
James Wood, WSH (2nd)
DH
Kyle Schwarber, Phillies, (4th All-Star selection)
There are 26 first-time All-Stars on this year’s squads, including four rookies: the Tigers’ Kevin McGonigle, the Reds’ Sal Stewart, and the Guardians’ Parker Messick and Travis Bazzana.
SNUB
Red Sox Sonny Gray, that pitching oxymoron, has a 2.61 ERA in 16 starts AND is 10-1.
THE BILLY-BALL WORDLE
You’re invited to play a WORDLE created by BILLY BALL.
The clue is: “A BASEBALL WORD”
HEY, LOBIE!
“Why can’t we get pitchers like this?”
Chris Sale now has 500+ strikeouts with three different teams.
