Pedro: If Elected I Will Not Serve

by Doc Manhattan on Jul 8, 2005 5:33 PM EDT

Citing his start on Sunday, Pedro has declined his invitation to the NL All-Star team for this year's affair in scenic Detroit.

I had all manner of eloquent thoughts on this issue, but the Internets ate my post, so I'll answer with more questions:

Good for the Mets?

Good for the fans?

Good for the game?

Good for the Pedro?

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Well

It is not good for the fans and for the game.
It is good for the Mets and Pedro.

Pedro pitches on Sunday, the last game before the All-Star Break. He's logged a lot of innings in the first half, and he could certainly benefit from a few extra days of rest. I would love to see him pitch and represent the Mets, but I understand why he's skipping it.

I don't understand why Billy Wagner was chosen to replace him. If any Phillie should go in Pedro's place the obvious choice (to me at least) is Brett Myers.

by Eric Simon on Jul 8, 2005 6:01 PM EDT reply actions

Mostly agree

I only differ in that I think that the game (and MLB's front office) is almost entirely to blame for Pedro's situation, and frankly all of its post-strike All-Star embarrassments. They've created a game that cannot be played or managed like regular baseball and given it real consequences.

Of course, I guess "the game" was probably too generic a phrase. If it meant "the All-Star Game" per se, yeah, it'll be less cool without Pedro. If it meant "the lofty ideals of America's Pastime," then Pedro could probably step up. If it meant West Coast rapper "The Game," then it's probably best that Pedro sits this one out, since we know how he treats belligerent bald men.

Dear neighbor: Get used to hearing, "You suck, [name of reliever]!" for the next few months.

by Doc Manhattan on Jul 8, 2005 6:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Doc, you seem sympathetic

to Pedro's (and the Mets') situation, but the title of your diary strikes me as derogatory. Catchy, yes, but it doesn't serve Pedro well, IMO, (pun intended.)

by BlueYonder on Jul 9, 2005 1:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Indeed

I'm not so much sympathetic to Pedro as I hate the Selig Office, but agreed. I suppose I'd feel more responsibility if we were in a mojo/rec community It seemed funny at the time (which was after a good 8 oz. of gin, IIRC.) [I'm glad we're not in a ratings-based site... we're all on the same team here, as it were.]

But I left town for several days sans computer, so it's a moot point in retrospect.

Dear neighbor: Get used to hearing, "You suck, [name of reliever]!" for the next few months.

by Doc Manhattan on Jul 13, 2005 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions

All-Star Game

I know I've been in the minority, but I like that the All-Star game means something. What really separates the MLB All-Star Game from the Pro Bowl and the NBA and NHL All-Star Games is that people actually care what happens in it, and the All-Star Game has always meant something. I don't want a pointless, boring exhibition, but I want to see our All-Stars playing for something that I have a real interest in. Unfortunately, in recent years, the game has gotten less exciting due to the unification of the leagues. There is no strong league identity anymore, especially with the advent of interleague play. Winning the All-Star Game was a source of pride for both fans and players, and that desire to win has evaporated over time. Giving a reward for winning the game makes the All-Star Game more interesting for both players and fans.

While the game is certainly more difficult to manage, due to some stupid rules (needing a player from every team, for example), but it is certainly possible to manage, provided the manager uses his head to some extent. I mean, hell, it's an All-Star team.

In the end, it's essence is as a game for the fans, and it is designed that way. It's tough to make the game enjoyable for fans in every possible dimension. It's not a horrible thing, in my opinion, if the players and manager actually care who wins the game. And I certainly don't enjoy seeing players sit out for no good reason, but it's Pedro's perogative, and I'll get over it quickly.

by Alex Nelson on Jul 9, 2005 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions

My 2¢

Pedro should pitch for us and skip that marketing ploy.

by peeder on Jul 8, 2005 9:25 PM EDT reply actions

My Thoughts ...

Since Pedro is pitching on Sunday and at that point will have had two consecutive starts on 4 days of rest, it's in his best interests health-wise and in the best interests of the Mets for him to skip the All-Star Game. I want him fresh for his next start against the Braves. Some Red Sox fans have been bashing him for not showing up, but I agree with Pedro that it makes no sense for him to occupy a roster spot since now the game determines WS home field advantage. (I'm really sick of Pedro-bashing by Sox fans.) If Pedro could be allowed there as a special guest or something like that (and not pitch, and not take up a roster spot), then yeah, I'd love to see him there in a Mets uniform. I agree that Brett Myers is more deserving than Billy Wagner, and you'd think LaRussa would replace a SP with a SP, but maybe he felt he needed another relief pitcher. I haven't read the reasoning behind LaRussa's selection.

by BlueYonder on Jul 8, 2005 11:42 PM EDT reply actions

Anyone see Baseball Tonight at Midnight?

So, Buster Olney and Harold Reynolds think it'd be appropriate to penalize Pedro and make him ineligible for future All-Star Games. Olney spread lies, saying Pedro doesn't want to go, when Pedro has been interviewed about this several times and has stated unequivocally that he did indeed want to go this year to represent the Mets. I think it was not only the right decision for Pedro and the Mets but also for the NL team. So, he's generous and gives up his roster spot, and he gets bashed for it and threatened with punishment. Give me a break.

This whole thing has been blown waaaay out of proportion.

by BlueYonder on Jul 9, 2005 1:56 AM EDT reply actions

bottom line

olney is a yankee lackey, where were all these red sox fans when pedro was skipping all-star games when he was in boston, if baseball wants to come up with a rule like the nba and ban skipping of the all-star game, punishable with a one game suspension then they should create honorary spots and the guy should go and sit in uniform and not pitch

its a ground ball...trickling... its a fair ball, its by Buckner, rounding third Knight, the Mets will win the ballgame, the Mets win

by DoctorK16 on Jul 9, 2005 6:53 PM EDT up reply actions