King Kaufman's Sports Daily

National League ballot: Griffey and Sosa have the star power, but what does poor Bobby Abreu have to do to make an All-Star team?

Jul 1, 2004 | Wednesday we looked at the American League All-Star ballot. Now, with the voting having ended just before midnight Wednesday, we turn to the Senior Circuit.

I find myself in agreement with the fan voting on four of the eight positions, one more than in the American League, though I don't find any of the choices I disagree with particularly outrageous.

Here's my ballot for the July 13 game in Houston. All stats are through Wednesday's games, and the voting tallies referred to are those released Monday. Baseball will announce the starting lineups Sunday.

CATCHER

Voting leader: Mike Piazza, Mets
My pick: Piazza

What to do with an obvious All-Star who's splitting his time almost exactly between two positions? Piazza's played 267 innings at first base, 255 behind the plate. In his case, we put him behind the plate, since that's his traditional position, it's where he's on the ballot and running away with the voting, and it's where the closest thing to him is Johnny Estrada of the Braves, who isn't close to him other than being similarly sub-par defensively.

Besides, with Piazza, 35, presumably making a gradual transition to first base or, if he changes leagues, designated hitter, this could be our last chance to see two of the greatest hitting catchers ever, Piazza and Ivan Rodriguez, starting the same All-Star Game.

FIRST BASE

Voting leader: Albert Pujols, Cardinals
My pick: Jim Thome, Phillies

This is why Piazza should be the catcher. First basemen represent four of the league's top 10 in slugging percentage and OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging), three of the top 10 in batting average and on-base percentage and two of the top 10 in home runs and RBIs. And both the leading hitter, Sean Casey of the Reds, and the home run leader, Thome, are first basemen. This is a position where Derrek Lee of the Cubs, hitting .305 with 10 homers, 27 doubles, 46 RBIs and a .381 on-base percentage, isn't even in the All-Star conversation.

The choice comes down to Thome and Casey since Pujols isn't quite hitting on their level, which isn't an insult. On the other hand, don't look now, but Pujols of all people is putting together an argument for a Gold Glove. Since Thome has Casey beat in every category except doubles and batting average, he's the pick. Pujols has a solid lead over Jeff Bagwell of the Astros in the voting, with Casey and Thome a ways back.

Next Page: A couple of middle infield lifetime achievement awards, and for gosh sakes can we get Bobby Abreu onto the field?

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