Poor, poor Omar Infante (or five Braves hit the All-Star Squad)

[Dreamscape]

So, All-Star selections are out. Jason Heyward was voted in, but probably will not play. Still, a pretty awesome honor to get voted in as a rookie. Probably the value of fantasy baseball, I would think, because Heyward was hyped up big.

Brian McCann wasn't because the fans in St. Louis are nuts. But oh well. Another trip to the Midsummer Classic for McCann.

Tim Hudson is back in the All-Star Game. It is his first selection in the National League and first since 2004, his third overall.

Martin Prado will replace Chase Utley as the starter at second base, a hell of an accomplishment.

And then...there is Omar Infante. Right now, a trip to the MLB Yahoo page has his face and a caption "Worst All-Star Ever?" Jeff Passan would go on to write (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AvFDmzEw.jOpAASlLWKjHdoRvLYF?slug=jp-tendegrees070410) about the choice. It's a pretty astounding selection, especially considering it is coming from another team's manager. I could see it if Infante had a big year as a regular last year, missed out on the team, and Cox was selected this year's squad and wanted to reward him.

But this? Just amazing. But like Passan said...who knows...maybe Infante will deliver a game-winning hit.

[Andy G.]

The dude that wrote the article you linked to has way too much angst. He's not he first person to realize how stupid all star selections are. This happens every year.

That said, I don't disagree with him. Infante shouldn't be on the team. If I were a Reds fan, I'd be pissed the hell off that Votto wasn't on the team. Maybe that guy is a Reds fan. It would explain how much research he put in just to show people how dumb All Star selections are.

Also, I agree it's pretty freakin' sweet that Heyward got voted in. Had he never injured his thumb, he probably would still have the numbers to warrant the selection. At the end of May he was one of the elite hitters in all of baseball. It's hard to say whether or not his struggles were due to being a twenty-year-old rookie or the injury, but I have a hard time believing that Heyward would look as bad as he has in the past month without an injury holding him back. The guy is just amazing.

[luvdembravos]

I'm a homer and like seeing a lot of Braves on the All-Star team but Infante? Wow! He's a nice player but that's one of the strangest selections I've ever seen ... :headscratch:

[Andy G.]

I have to admit, as much as I think Infante doesn't belong in the All Star game, if you watch the games, Infante is a HUGE part of the team.

Now, I know what he does. I'm a numbers guy more than I am an old school, "trust your eyes" guy. That said, Omar Infante really is an important part of this team. He fills his role as well as possible, and he's not a one year, fluky stats kinda guy. He's the best backup in major league baseball, in my opinion. He accepts the role. He has fun on the field. He never pouts...ever. And he performs in clutch situations.

Like I said, I'm aware of his SLG and his OPS. I'm just saying that I LOVE the fact that the dude's getting some recognition, even if it is in the form of a ridiculous All Star selection.

Also, I'm going to make this post even longer, has anybody else noticed how slow people are to realizing how good the Braves are? I'm starting to go a little crazy thinking that it's just me. There are some Braves fans that don't even realize it yet. This is a World Series contender people! If any team has what it takes to get there from the NL, it's the Braves. And if any team has the pitching to take down whichever offense makes it out of the AL, it's the Braves. The numbers aren't as pretty as they should be, but with Hudson, Jurrjens, Hanson and Medlen in the playoffs, are you seriously going to count the Braves out? Heyward is hurt. No problem. Chipper didn't do anything until June. No problem. McCann hasn't been himself yet. No problem. This team has better depth than any team in the entire Major Leagues. It is an elite team. One of the very best. We have five All Star representatives. Where's the pub? When is ESPN going to give us our due? The Braves deserve it. It's a remarkable turnaround and a remarkable story when you consider where this team was in April.

[BigWorm]

I like the pick. And Bobby Cox calls the selection "the greatest pick ever". It takes guts to go with your gut. I have mad respect for Charlie Manuel.

[luvdembravos]

Where's the pub? When is ESPN going to give us our due?

Screw ESPN. If you don' wear a "NY" or "B" on your cap, ESPN simply doesn't care. I rather have them ignore the Braves.

[Andy G.]

Screw ESPN. If you don' wear a "NY" or "B" on your cap, ESPN simply doesn't care. I rather have them ignore the Braves.
I haven't watched more than ten minutes of SportsCenter in, I don't know, two or three years. I don't care about them either. I just want people to know how good the Braves are. They're really freaking good.

[Wahoo]

I think Wagner got shafted. Infante shouldn't be an all star but I also can't help but to think that there is more than one other outfielder who was more deserving than Heyward.
Kinda feel like bmac doesn't deserve the trip either.

[Dreamscape]

I think Wagner got shafted. Infante shouldn't be an all star but I also can't help but to think that there is more than one other outfielder who was more deserving than Heyward.
Kinda feel like bmac doesn't deserve the trip either.
That's the funny thing about McCann. He's having an off year and still has the top OPS among NL catchers. Miguel Olivo or Geovany Soto could have beef, but neither has the AB's McCann does. Miguel Montaro may have made things interested, but he has been hurt all season. The offensively inept Yadier Molina getting the fans pick really hurt the depth here. Molina may actually be less deserving than Infante.

[Wahoo]

That's the funny thing about McCann. He's having an off year and still has the top OPS among NL catchers. Miguel Olivo or Geovany Soto could have beef, but neither has the AB's McCann does. Miguel Montaro may have made things interested, but he has been hurt all season. The offensively inept Yadier Molina getting the fans pick really hurt the depth here. Molina may actually be less deserving than Infante.

Yeah Molina's constant inclusion is a bit aggravating but I probably would have taken olivo over McCann this year

[luvdembravos]

I think Wagner got shafted. Infante shouldn't be an all star but I also can't help but to think that there is more than one other outfielder who was more deserving than Heyward.

Wags certainly deserves a spot on the team and Josh Willingham is having a better year than Heyward (as well as other NL outfielders). But like Gilley stated, who knows what numbers Heyward would have right now if he didn't get hurt?

I also think Rafael Furcal got shafted when Jose Reyes got the nod as the back-up shortstop but maybe I'm being a bit biased since Raffy was a former Brave and was one of my favorites when he was playing for us.

[Lauren T.]

Molina got the popular vote; McCann was voted in by the players this year. That tells you how he is respected by his peers.

There's a new All-Star rule this year where a player can come back in the game after another player comes out with injury, and that's why Charlie Manuel chose super-utility player. I even saw a video interview where Manuel called Omar the best utility player in the National League, and he wanted him on the team because he wanted us to have the most well-rounded team to get home field advantage back in the NL for the World Series. Manuel isn't messing around -- he really wants to win this for us.

Here's the full roster list for both leagues. (http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/mlb/events/all_star/y2010/roster_league.jsp)

[Wahoo]

Wags certainly deserves a spot on the team and Josh Willingham is having a better year than Heyward (as well as other NL outfielders). But like Gilley stated, who knows what numbers Heyward would have right now if he didn't get hurt?

I also think Rafael Furcal got shafted when Jose Reyes got the nod as the back-up shortstop but maybe I'm being a bit biased since Raffy was a former Brave and was one of my favorites when he was playing for us.

Well in my opinion the bottomlinr is productivity and injury excluded heyward simply wasn't as productive as others. I am not even saying it was grossly negligent to include him, rather that if I were picking the team I probably wouldn't have included him.

[Gman]

It's easy to rip Manuel for the Infante selection and impossible to defend the pick given some of the guys who were excluded (Votto especially). It's also not fair for Infante to get hung out like this given what he has meant to the Braves since the day he arrived.

It was just the perfect storm for Infante. The one manager in baseball this year who would drool the most over what Infante brings to the table is Charlie Manuel. He lost his 3b, SS and 2b for huge chunks. He's gotten horrible production from his LF. Their replacements either haven't hit well or haven't played very good defense. The Phillies would probably be at least 5-6 games better in the standing if they had Infante given what's happened to them with injuries. Small wonder Charlie had a jones for Infante. He's probably been telling Gillick to go get him an "Omar Infante" since May.

It's kinda nice to see All-Star recognition come to the guys who do what Infante does at such a high level. Andy is right in his post about the Braves being a much better team because of him. To me, Infante has as much to do with the Braves great first half as anyone on the team. His job is to add production and defense where it's lacking whether it's due to injury or lack of production. What Infante has done that is so rare, is produce as well or better than every guy he's replaced. That is huge.

I hope Infante gets a key knock in the allstar game and has a great world series so people can learn how critical a great utility guy is to a great team. You can be numb to that need watching the 200 mil Yankees and their team of all stars. But then things start to go wrong in their lineup and you start seeing some really bad bench guys try unsuccessfully to plug the holes. Even the Yankees could use an Infante this year.

[Dreamscape]

Baseball Prospectus had a nice column on the rarely looked at All-Star game incentative built into contracts. For instance, if Manual is indeed shrewd, he just cost the Braves $50,000. Omar Infante has a bonus that if he makes it to an All-Star Game, he will get $50K. Manuel must realize that in this economy, every dollar counts. The article went onto to over some odd extensions of the clause...as in Alan Embree once signed a deal with San Diego that included a bonus if he STARTED the All-Star Game, a clause they have since given to Heath Bell. Vernon Wells would receive $100,000 if he was the top vote getter in the AL, but nothing for being selected as an All-Star (which he was).

I think the justification for Omar Infante's inclusion on the All-Star team really seems like a stretch. One, Juan Uribe would be more worthwhile from a utility man standpoint and two, the rule that allows a player to re-enter the game means that the need for a utility man is downplayed, and three, it's not like some of the All-Stars can't be moved around. Martin Prado can play just about anywhere, for instance.

It's not fair for Infante to be the goat of this awful pick, but it's still...just an awful pick.

[luvdembravos]

I can't remember the last time the Braves' bench was this good...perhaps never. Whether it's Infante, Ross, Conrad or Hinske (who's probably more of a starter now), these guys have delivered all year long.

Oh, and Blanco too, (sorry about that Gman)

[luvdembravos]

Omar Infante has a bonus that if he makes it to an All-Star Game, he will get $50K. Manuel must realize that in this economy, every dollar counts.

$50K is chump change for MLB teams. A guy like Ryan Howard is getting paid $125K per game the next two years and even more starting in 2013. I don't think paying a $50K bonus to Infante is going to make one iota of difference in what happens in the NL East. ;)

[Dreamscape]

$50K is chump change for MLB teams. A guy like Ryan Howard is getting paid $125K per game the next two years and even more starting in 2013. I don't think paying a $50K bonus to Infante is going to make one iota of difference in what happens in the NL East. ;)
I meant to be more sarcastic. Dern.

[luvdembravos]

I meant to be more sarcastic. Dern.


See, those emoticons do have a place...they're designed for old, slow people like me.

[Andy G.]

Baseball Prospectus had a nice column on the rarely looked at All-Star game incentative built into contracts. For instance, if Manual is indeed shrewd, he just cost the Braves $50,000. Omar Infante has a bonus that if he makes it to an All-Star Game, he will get $50K. Manuel must realize that in this economy, every dollar counts. The article went onto to over some odd extensions of the clause...as in Alan Embree once signed a deal with San Diego that included a bonus if he STARTED the All-Star Game, a clause they have since given to Heath Bell. Vernon Wells would receive $100,000 if he was the top vote getter in the AL, but nothing for being selected as an All-Star (which he was).

I think the justification for Omar Infante's inclusion on the All-Star team really seems like a stretch. One, Juan Uribe would be more worthwhile from a utility man standpoint and two, the rule that allows a player to re-enter the game means that the need for a utility man is downplayed, and three, it's not like some of the All-Stars can't be moved around. Martin Prado can play just about anywhere, for instance.

It's not fair for Infante to be the goat of this awful pick, but it's still...just an awful pick.
Nobody here is justifying the pick. We're just giving Infante credit for the value he brings to the team. Of course it's an awful pick, but so is putting Matt Capps on the team and leaving out Billy Wagner. That's ridiculous. As mentioned earlier, Yadier Molina has absolutely no business in an All Star game. Every year, there are a number of crappy picks for the All Star teams. When I see people getting their panties in a wad because somebody got snubbed from the All Star game, I just think to myself that that person needs to grow up. It happens so often that it's gotten to the point where getting mad about it is just a waste of time.

[luvdembravos]

Crappy all-star picks occur every year at every level of baseball. It's probably worse at the Little League level. Every year somebody's "little Johnny" gets screwed by not making his local little league all-star team but somehow life goes on...

[Lauren T.]

AJC article: Infante fulfilled Manuel’s utility requirement on All-Star roster (http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2010/07/05/infante-fulfilled-manuels-utility-requirement-on-all-star-roster/)

[Dreamscape]

Nobody here is justifying the pick. We're just giving Infante credit for the value he brings to the team. Of course it's an awful pick, but so is putting Matt Capps on the team and leaving out Billy Wagner. That's ridiculous. As mentioned earlier, Yadier Molina has absolutely no business in an All Star game. Every year, there are a number of crappy picks for the All Star teams. When I see people getting their panties in a wad because somebody got snubbed from the All Star game, I just think to myself that that person needs to grow up. It happens so often that it's gotten to the point where getting mad about it is just a waste of time.
Charlie Manual is justifying the pick and others have followed. I'm not mad or anything. I don't watch the All-Star Game, nor vote for it. I find the whole thing pretty boring and that includes the homerun derby and so forth. And there will be bad picks every year. I can't really say anything about Molina because the fans are the idiots that vote him in (another reason I abstain).

I don't buy Manual's bit that he was told to have a utility man. How come that didn't come up for the AL, which lacks a true supersub guy. Ty Wigginton can play around the infield a little, but he's in more because the Orioles had to have someone.

It's more interesting than anything that Manual chose to bring a supersub to a game for the best of the best, while choosing to leave off some of the best. Like Joey Votto, for instance. But yeah, it happens every year. Only this year, it's a utility man going while other deserving players sit. That is a new level of ridiculous not previously explored (as far as I can remember at least)

[KB 34]

When I saw Infante's name on the All Star roster I thought it must be a mistake and checked out a second place to make sure it wasn't a mistake. His selection is interesting considering he's probably the best utility player at least in the NL these days, and a really god utility player does a lot when injuries hit. In terms of constructing a competitive All Star team that can win I like the selection considering a good team typically has a mix of stars and role players. On the other hand an All Star game is the chance for fans to watch all the stars slug it out and put on a show. To further complicate things Selig made the stupid decision to make the All Star game count. My take is Manuel made a great baseball decision which helps him not only win this game but potentially home field advantage in the World Series. However, he wasn't supposed to put together a team to win according to baseball ways, he was supposed to put a team together that would make fans happy but potentially screw him over in Octboer. The bottom line is Selig is an idiot and I will root for a tie as usual.

I'm not surprised to see Prado selected and he deserves it since he's been a consistent bat at the top of the order at a difficult offensive production position the entire season.

Heyward demonstrates the problem with fans voting so early in the season. When the voting was taking place Heyward deserved to be an All Star, but since then his numbers have gone down because of injuries and maybe rookie struggles. He'll earn plenty of All Star appearances but he didn't deserve this one. That's pretty much irrelevant since he'll probably miss it anyhow.

Hudson came back from TJ surgery arguably a better pitcher than before. I may be in the minority here but I think he's a better pitcher than the pitcher the Braves acquired form the A's.

I feel more sorry for Brian McCann than Infante. McCann just got selected to his 5th straight All Star game and no one seemed to notice. McCann is second among catchers in HR. Among catchers with 200 AB he's first in OBP and second in SLG. Every season he puts up numbers that are either the top of near the top of NL catchers and he's reached the point where reputation and respect puts him in the All Star game over similar catchers. I'll never understand why McCann doesn't get more respect from Braves fans. He was overshadowed by Francoeur and crushed his sorry butt. Through the Heyward and Prado excitement he's put up another great first half. This guy is awesome.

[alaskabravesfan]

Screw ESPN. If you don' wear a "NY" or "B" on your cap, ESPN simply doesn't care. I rather have them ignore the Braves.

ESPN does have one redeeming quality: Erin Andrews.

[Hillbilly]

I added where Olivo stands among all catchers in the MAJORS with 50 or more games played:

Olivo-- .307 AVG(1st), .363 OBP(8th), .538SLG(1st), 11 HR(3rd), 39 RBI (2nd)

Molina--.229 AVG, .309 OBP, .302 SLG, 3 HR, 31 RBI

Defense? I'm not really knowledgeable on which defensive stats are most useful, but:

Caught Stealing----Olivo 20, Molina 18.
Stolen Bases Allowed--Olivo 19, Molina 20.
Fielding Percentage is identical. Range Factor is only 1 point apart.

[quick]

ESPN does have one redeeming quality: Erin Andrews.

...and a second redeeming quality: ESPN is giving full coverage to everybody's favorite, World Cup!! ;)

[luvdembravos]

...and a second redeeming quality: ESPN is giving full coverage to everybody's favorite, World Cup!! ;)

..and it's a great place to get the latest update on Lebron James for those who care...for the record, I don't.:rolleyes:

[-Dr. Brave-]

... and a great place to keep tabs on Bobby "I insist on being your" Valentine.

[Dreamscape]

... um, hot dog eating contest?

[jlcct]

..and it's a great place to get the latest update on Lebron James for those who care...for the record, I don't.:rolleyes:
Yeah I can't believe how much coverage they give to Lebron. It's nuts. I bet they spend six hours a day on him and it's all pure speculation. I can't imagine how they would come to the conclusion that the public is that interested for it to be worth while to spend some much time on him. It bores the hell out of me personally.

[Freddy_Ballgame]

Nice to see (ESPN) that we finally agree on something! I've avoided ESPN for years unless they were televising a game I wanted to see. SportsCenter pretty much sucks, so they rerun it endlessly. They haven't brought anything intelligent to the fan in years. ESPN radio is equally pathetic. They pretty much bought Erin Andrews from TBS, if I remember right and she's not on the air long enough to be of much value. I guess if your team is on their "hot" list, it might be tolerable, but I doubt it. It wouldn't take me long to get aggravated listening to their insipid drivel even if they were fawning over the Braves like they do NY and Boston. You've heard of a "Bucket List," right? ESPN is atop my "Bag It" list. Empty Suits and Posers Network......

[Andy G.]

Every now and then I'll put it on ESPNNews or Sportscenter for a few minutes when the show I'm watching is on commercial. The other day I put it on the News channel, and I heard a guy call Jair Jurrjens, "Yar Yurrjens". I swear. It was astounding.

[quick]

And now, ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball with Jon "I never met a flashy suit I didn't like" Miller and Joe "If I knew anything, I'd be dangerous" Morgan....

Maybe MLB network can just punt ESPN, take over the game nationally, and get into everyone's cable network. Then, it will have time and opportunity to re-educate the American public on baseball. Baseball is a magnificient game, but maybe not so much for the very casual viewer (like basketball, or even soccer). You have to understand baseball's nuances to really appreciate it. Under ESPN's "quickie highlight" formula, all one ever sees of baseball are homeruns and ultra-flashy fielding plays, none of which are what baseball is really all about.

[warefreak]

All I know is since he has been selected to the allstar game he has been playing like an allstar.

Very nice homer tonight!

[Lauren T.]

Billy Wagner has been selected to the All-Star team (http://markbowman.mlblogs.com/archives/2010/07/wagner_declines_all-star_invit.html), but he won't be going to Anaheim, opting to stay home and rest his sore ankle instead.

[HaRdCoReBrAvEsFaN]

While Wagner and Heyward won't go, It's nice to see us well reped with 6 All Stars this year...

[Lauren T.]

To clarify, Heyward is going to Anaheim to enjoy the festivities, be in the parade, the whole nine. He isn't planning to play ...at this time. Wagner (a seven-time all-star) is staying at home.

ETA: I could definitely see Heyward suiting up and being asked to pinch run at some point in the game. He could totally pinch run for a bigger dude like BMac or Matt Holliday.