All-Star Game: Mistakes (opinion thread)

[nolanryan5714]

I'm going to start this early, even before the game is over, because I've seen a couple that I'd like to see taken back from the N.L. standpoint.

Clemens should have started. Period.

Roy Oswalt should NOT have been inserted when he was. The heart of the lineup approaching, and his first ASG - I just wouldn't have played that card.

Willis should have gone in at the time Roy did.
Since I can't turn back the clock, Clemens should have pitched 2 innings, on top of that.

Ensberg should have batted in the 6th. His RBI bat is too hot to waste.


My thoughts are becoming a skewed mess. :o
Anyone else?

[Reed Johnson]

Shea Hillenbrand should be allowed to bat!
Kenny Rogers should not be playing.
I also agree with you in that Clemens should have started the game and then Carpenter.

[nolanryan5714]

I could just cry...but, as we all know, there's no crying in baseball.



If the pitching mixup would have been different, we would most likely be tied at the moment.

Sheeeesh......

[efin98]

Clemens should have gone in in the fourth after Willis and Carpenter.

Hernandez should have been yanked as soon as he got in trouble.

Oswalt should have been held back as a "long reliever". "His first All Star Game" isn't a good excuse since he played in the playoffs- much harder to pitch there than in the All Star Game.

I would have held off sending out every starting pitcher, keep at least one in relief just in case the game ends up like 2002...probably Oswalt and Rogers.

[nolanryan5714]

Oswalt should have been held back as a "long reliever". "His first All Star Game" isn't a good excuse since he played in the playoffs- much harder to pitch there than in the All Star Game.

Sorry, I know it sounded like I was making an excuse, but I wasn't thinking that. I thought strategically, in the mindset, it would be better to put in Willis ahead of Oswalt.

This game was fun to watch, but ultimately has much to be desired. ESPECIALLY in the management department.

[efin98]

Sorry, I know it sounded like I was making an excuse, but I wasn't thinking that. I thought strategically, in the mindset, it would be better to put in Willis ahead of Oswalt.

Not really, Oswalt is a righty and Willis is a lefty. Damon and Ortiz are lefties and have trouble facing them...in the best interest of the NL to have him in over Oswalt

This game was fun to watch, but ultimately has much to be desired. ESPECIALLY in the management department.

I think it was well coached considering the teams only know each other for two days.

[Reed Johnson]

The 2 guys I wanted to see most (Bay and Hillenbrand) never even got to bat! I think if every team is gonna be represented then there player should get to bat. Like I would understand if it was the red sox, Rangers, or Cardinals but come on. Were Bay and Hillenbrand the only player who didnt get to bat?

[Kastofsna]

Well Danys Baez didn't get to pitch, so I feel for ya!

[nolanryan5714]

Not really, Oswalt is a righty and Willis is a lefty. Damon and Ortiz are lefties and have trouble facing them...in the best interest of the NL to have him in over Oswalt.

I don't think so, because 1) they are unfamiliar with him, and 2) he can shut down lefties with the best of them.

And as we saw...

Anyway, I stick by my thoughts.

[efin98]

I don't think so, because 1) they are unfamiliar with him, and 2) he can shut down lefties with the best of them.

And as we saw...

Anyway, I stick by my thoughts.

The obvious Astros scew aside: Considering you said so yourself that it was his first All Star Game and considering he is a rightie, any manager would choose Willis over Oswalt. Familiarity has nothing to do with it, they play each other during Spring Training so they are familiar with him.

[Perseas]

It may sound biassed but Andruw Jones should have been the starting Centerfielder for the NL.

[nolanryan5714]

The obvious Astros scew aside: Considering you said so yourself that it was his first All Star Game and considering he is a rightie, any manager would choose Willis over Oswalt. Familiarity has nothing to do with it, they play each other during Spring Training so they are familiar with him.

Not by much. Not enough to affect the ASG.

Efin98, you are a great poster. I don't expect you to agree with me all of the time...however, Oswalt could have been inserted into a better slot in the game.

Tough pill for all N.L. fans.

[efin98]

Not by much. Not enough to affect the ASG.

Efin98, you are a great poster. I don't expect you to agree with me all of the time...however, Oswalt could have been inserted into a better slot in the game.

Tough pill for all N.L. fans.

Willis was never going to go in later than the third or fourth inning, Oswalt wasn't going in before the fifth inning. Willis is having the better year, there's no way LaRussa would have not inserted him in before Oswalt. Not in a tight game.

Also how about this: Oswalt pitched last Saturday, Willis last Friday. Willis had the more rested arm.

[nolanryan5714]

Well, you have heard my side of the story.


What would you have proposed, then?

[efin98]

Well, you have heard my side of the story.


What would you have proposed, then?

Looking at the schedules, Willis should have been in second behind Carpenter. Clemens third, then Hernandez fourth. Oswalt kept in relief since he had pitched the closest to the game.